by Sam Felton
This past week, I had the privilege of attending the 55th Annual Conference of the West Virginia Municipal League (WVML). The WVML is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan association of cities, towns and villages. Established in 1968, the membership includes 230 municipalities within the state.
The purpose of the league is to assist local governments and advance the interests of all citizens. The League achieves this directive through legislative advocacy, research, education and other services for municipal elected officials.
By cooperating through the League, cities benefit from research programs and a united legislative voice that would be impossible to maintain individually.
The annual conference provides interaction and opportunities for collaboration. The networking with other mayors and city managers cannot be overstated. The workshops consist of numerous and diverse topics. The discussions that follow each session inspire, challenge, and motivate city representatives to make our communities places where all would want to live.
Vendor exhibits are another feature that provides hands on demonstrations of most everything that has a municipal application.
This may well have been the hottest conference of all. When I arrived in Huntington August 6, it was 104 degrees.
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Receiving word that my friend and Town Council Member Roger Trusler had passed away cooled the excitement of what was an otherwise successful annual conference.
The reality of Roger’s passing will be immediately felt in our town and community businesses in ways that will take time to overcome. Roger was such an advocate for the Town of Marlinton and all of Pocahontas County. His project involvement was far-reaching. The sidewalks grant and streetscape program were part of the work he was committed to seeing through. Civic duty and enrichment of all residents, students and visitors was at the core of Roger’s commitment to community.
Still, I have to believe that, somehow, Roger would be pleased to know that the Town of Marlinton received a West Virginia Municipal League “All Star Community Award” for 2024 Enrichment, in Recognition of Exceptional Performance and Innovative Contributions to Municipal Government.
