As one of two state senators that represent the Second Senatorial District in the West Virginia Legislature, Dr. Mike Maroney has traveled throughout all or parts of nine different counties.
That’s why over the past four years, the residents of Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ritchie, Tyler, and Wetzel counties are very familiar with him, and why Maroney is aware of how those people feel.
“District 2 is a large geographical area, and that’s why we have two senators that represent the residents,” Maroney explained. “Sen. Charlie Clements is the other, and we have become real close friends. We have adopted a divide-and-conquer approach with constant communication, and we travel to the counties when needed but more importantly are readily available at all times to address the counties’ needs.
“For example, Calhoun County is one of the farthest trips from my home in Marshall County. Calhoun County had a few major issues in the past four years and Charlie and I, with help from Gov. Justice, were able to solve the problems, and it required trips in addition to numerous phone calls.”
The two issues, according to Maroney, involved law enforcement and public education.
“Two of the biggest issues we helped Calhoun County involved getting their State Police dispatch back for them and also getting money for the county schools in a rush as they were in a position of not being able to pay their bills,” the senator recalled. “I just spoke with their superintendent of last week, and they are now in a surplus situation. It has been a huge success story.”
But Wait! There’s More
As a radiologist for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, Maroney is well aware of the impact the opioid epidemic has had on District 2, but as a resident of Marshall County, the senator is also cognizant of the conditions of secondary roadways, the lack of broadband access, and the need for more jobs and an improved economy in the district and throughout the Mountain State.
“Although our roads have significantly improved in the past two years, there’s much more that is needed,” he said. “District 2 has some big projects upcoming, and with the already approved “road bond” funding, all roads will continue to improve. Proper road maintenance, such as ditching projects, is crucial to avoiding the state of disrepair we saw in the recent past.
“The opioid/drug epidemic has been addressed, and I personally tackled this issue with numerous bills on my Senate Health Committee. My goals have remained constant: Decrease supply with tougher restrictions on prescription access as well as tougher penalties on dealers; but, at the same time, we need to make sure some of these drugs, such as the opioids, remain available to non-abusing West Virginians that receive a substantial benefit from the medications.”
Positive Positions
Not only is Sen. Maroney, who participated during today’s $1 billion broadband press conference in Charleston, the chair of the Senate’s Health Committee, but he also serves on other committees such as Finance, Military/Veterans, Rules, Government Organization, and Workforce. It is those positions that allow him to be immediately instrumental with significant actions that provoke necessary reform.
Plus, as a Republican member of the state Senate, Maroney has the opportunity to work with legislative leaders during the development of agendas for interim sessions as well as the initiatives for the Legislature’s 60-day regular session.
“I can make a difference because of my positions in Charleston and the fact people in Charleston listen to me,” he said. “Politics is a strange animal, but here is the bottom line; if you want to be successful, you need two things: First, you must be a member of the majority party which is the party in charge and the party setting the agenda.
“Secondly, you need to be respected within your party so that your voice matters,” Dr. Maroney added. “If you meet both of these criteria, you can really help your district and the residents of it. I meet both and have since my first year, and I believe we have accomplished a lot for my district and for the entire state of West Virginia.”
