Candidate Snapshot
80 years old; Jefferson County resident since 1946; Currently represents Jefferson County in WV House of Delegates; Democratic Party candidate
Community Service Experience — Board Member & President of Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA), Board Member of Shenandoah Women’s Center (now Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center).
Work Experience & Education — Work experience in college textbook sales, computer sales, real estate sales. Graduate of Charles Town High School (1960); Received a BS (Political Science/History) from Shepherd College. Served in the US Army 1968-1970, Lieutenant of Infantry, 11th Light Infantry Brigade (Americal Division), deployed in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam, 1969-1970.
The candidate’s responses below were edited only for clarity & spelling.
What made you decide to run for County Commissioner?
The current County Commission seems to have lost its way. The plan for emergency services has not been well thought out, possibly the result of too little input from citizens. Planning and zoning is not being done properly (particularly regarding solar arrays and event centers), possibly because some of the Commission’s appointments are of people who don’t sufficiently understand planning. Overall, there is too little openness and accountability with the Commission’s decision-making.
What experience and expertise do you bring to the role of County Commissioner?
My 26 years in the state Legislature have provided me with the opportunity to understand how county government works within the West Virginia constitution, and with an understanding of what the people of our county want our county’s future to be.
How do you plan to engage with county residents to ensure that the decisions of the Commission reflect the interests and concerns of all residents?
I will advocate that the Commission hold periodic special meetings (other than business meetings) at various locations around the county, and invite the public to come and speak. I will also personally engage with any citizen who wishes to engage me, as I have done as a state legislator.
What are the most important issues you expect the Commission will need to address in the next few years?
The Commission will need to focus on Planning and Zoning (solar arrays and event centers as examples), Impact Fees, Emergency Services, and Economic Development. Recent decisions made in all of these topical areas should be revisited.
What changes would you make to how the Commission conducts its business?
The entire process needs to be more open to public scrutiny. Appointments to boards and commissions need to be more clearly advertised in advance, as do special meetings.
At the end of your term, what is the one thing that you would hope people remember most about your service on the Commission?
That I was open to citizen input.
The County’s comprehensive plan will need to be reviewed and updated during your term. How would you suggest the Commission approach this review process?
With as much openness and advance notice as possible, and with as much input as possible (from citizens and experts).
Why should voters elect you?
I grew up in Charles Town and graduated from Shepherd University, with a major in Political
Science and a minor in History. I served in the US Army infantry in Vietnam, was President of the Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA) and was a board member of what is now the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center. I’ve served in the West Virginia House of Delegates for 26 years. My record in the Legislature shows that I believe in government that is open, accessible and accountable to the people. I oppose the current plan to restructure emergency services.
John Doyle – Jefferson County Commission Candidate (Shepherdstown District)
Web: DoyleForCommission.org; Facebook: Doyle for Commissioner;
Email: RJohnDoyle@comcast.net; Tel: 304-876-1648
In 2022, there are two candidates running for the Shepherdstown seat on the Jefferson County Commission (voters can select 1):
John Doyle is the Democratic Party candidate.
Jennifer Krouse is the Republican Party candidate.
The Charles Town seat for the County Commission is also on the 2022 ballot. The candidates running for that seat are Clare Anne Ath, Dale Manuel & David Tabb.
Read More: The Observer’s Guide to the 2022 Election
By Staff Contributor