If Hillary Clinton can have a listening tour of NY, Senator Sarah Minear can have a listening tour in West Virginia as she considers a run for Secretary of State. At least Senator Minear can claim to be a legal resident of the state she desires to represent. We can't say the same about "Mrs President."

   SENATOR SARAH MINEAR VISITS CABELL COUNTY TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE CAMPAIGN FOR SECRETARY OF STATE Says Office Needs to be Run More Professionally, Promote WV

pensione a Liepaja , country    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Saying the Secretary of State's Office needs to be run more professionally and focus on creating jobs, Senator SARAH MINEAR (R-14th) visited Huntington on Thursday as part of her statewide visits as she explores a possible run for this office.

   Senator Minear attended an "Ice Cream Social" sponsored by the Cabell County Republican Women at the Huntington YWCA and also appeared on local radio show WRVC-AM. Senator Minear has previously visited Martinsburg, Beckley, Charleston, Hinton and Wheeling.

   "My Senate district comprises seven rural counties, so getting out and meeting people is the only way I know how to campaign." Senator Minear said. "What better way to gain a true appreciation for the issues confronting average, hard-working West Virginians then to get out and listen to them."

   Minear told the Cabell Republican Women's group her priorities would be to promote a 'business-friendly' office climate; better coordinate with the Governor on job-creation efforts; monitor and enforce election laws; and modernize and upgrade the computer and records system.

   "The Secretary of State plays a key role in economic development as a member of the influential Board of Public Works," Senator Minear said. "I believe this office is not as well organized as it should be for a position that is really a kind of ambassador for West Virginia."

   "I want to bring professionalism to the office. It has a dependable and capable staff, but it lacks good and focused leadership."

   A popular member of the State Senate, Minear said she has been urged to run for Secretary of State by "many in both political parties" in order to bring her talents to a statewide level. Her priorities in the State Senate have been jobs, tax fairness, infrastructure and quality education.

   "West Virginia is poised for some great things, but we need to foster a pro-jobs and fairer taxes climate at the statewide level to send the right message to new employers," Minear said. "The last two occupants of this office have used it to promote themselves; I will promote West Virginia."

   During her 5-year career in the State Senate, Minear has sponsored numerous tax cut bills, including ones to eliminate the Food Tax, Auto Tax and Military Pension Tax. Minear has also championed better roads, bridges, water and sewer systems and schools.

ERROR MSG   "West Virginia is a beautiful place to live, but until we bring our infrastructure into modern times and lower our high tax rates, will we be able to make our state truly prosperous. We cannot have communities inaccessible by four-lane highways or without safe, reliable drinking water."

hotels Cork    Senator Minear commended the Cabell Republican Women for using their "Ice Cream Social" to benefit youth programs. She said the children of West Virginia represent the "future of our state and we need to do all that we can to promote their interests and give them a better life than we had."

    A native of Tucker County, Senator Minear represents seven counties and serves on seven committees, the most of any Senator. She is the founding president of the West Virginia Grantmakers Association and the Tucker Community Endowment Foundation.

    Senator Minear said she will continue to visit West Virginia's 55 counties and if there is overwhelming interest in her running for Secretary of State, she will file for the office by February's deadline. You may e-mail your comments to her at smminear@aol.com, or call 1-800-704-4218.

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