Governor
Charlotte Pritt – Mountain
Bill Cole – Republican
Tell us about your professional background and
how it would help you serve as governor.
Tell us about your professional background and
how it would help you serve as governor.
My administrative and executive experiences in education, wellness
and stress management, banking and strategic planning give me an
advantage when problem solving with local communities on issues
that are of crucial importance to West Virginians.
For 30 years, I have built and grown small businesses that today
employ more than 400 people. I understand what it takes to
meet a budget and make a payroll. I also have real experience
in the heavy burdens our state government has placed on our
businesses over the years. I felt I could make a difference in our
state’s business climate, so four years ago I decided to become a
part of the solution.
Tell us about your four-year plan.
To be successful, West Virginia must diversify its economy rather
than focus on one or two industries. The state must invest its
taxpayer dollars into West Virginia-owned businesses and workers.
Reinstating the prevailing wage will be one of the fastest ways to
infuse West Virginia contractors and workers with wages. Focusing
on local and regional challenges and potentials, bolstering small
businesses, protecting water sources and the health of our citizens
and ensuring educational and communication opportunities will be
a top priority. Reviewing rules and regulations and working with the
communities involved toward complete compliance with phase-in
plans that give affected businesses and tourism communities
opportunities to reach goals that protect our health and natural
beauty while finding creative ways to keep West Virginia workers
employed and businesses thriving.
Having greater transparency and accessibility to information in
all areas of government and business will be a key component.
Getting accessible appropriate-speed internet to all West
Virginians is a major component to ensuring communication and
informed connection within West Virginia communities. During my
four years as governor, I hope to empower communities at the
local level with a diverse, sustainable economy that is directed
from the bottom up and built to survive.
Why did you choose to run for governor?
In addition to being a small business owner, educator, wellness coach,
independent marketer and strategic planner, I served eight years in the
West Virginia Legislature. I served on committees important to West
Virginia’s economy and future, and I had the opportunity to hear from
a varied audience on the challenges that still face us today.
Tell us about your four-year plan.
West Virginia’s state government spends 20 percent more per
capita than the national average, yet we rank at the bottom of
almost every statistic. In four years, I want to modernize state
government, control the growth of it and put our people back to
work. We have laid the foundation with meaningful legal reforms, a
reduction of outdated regulations and the passing of the Workplace
Freedom Bill. As the next governor, I will be prepared to do the
heavy lifting to end the culture of corruption. As governor, I believe
I will be the chief executive salesman for the state of West Virginia.
It will be up to me to present the great story of West Virginia in the
corporate board rooms across this country.
Why did you choose to run for governor?
I ran for the state Senate four years ago because as a businessman
I was frustrated with the heavy-handed approach of the Legislature
and the culture of corruption that has held our state back. Once
elected, I realized pretty quickly that if I wanted to make real change
I needed to change the leadership of the Legislature. We have
made great strides in creating an environment conducive to job
creation with legal reforms, regulatory reforms and passing the
Workplace Freedom Bill. But, to make meaningful change and end
the “good ol’ boy” system that is holding us back and increasing
the cost to our state government, I decided to run for governor to
bring the meaningful changes we needed in order to modernize our
government and make it work for West Virginians.
www.wvexecutive.com
summer 2016
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