Cullen receives Distinguished Award

Governor focuses on sales tax, infrastructure

By Marla Pisciotta Tribune Staff Writer

More than 150 people listened while Governor Joe Manchin honored Mineral County resident Helen Cullen over the speaker phone.

‘Helen, thank you for all you do, not just in Mineral County but in all of West Virginia. I’m awarding you with the highest award I can give, the Distinguished West Virginia Award,’ said Manchin.

Cullen sat solemn in her chair, her head in her hands, overcome with surprise.

The Governor continued, ‘We are blessed to have a person so committed.’

Cullen said she’s couldn’t thank the Governor and the Development Authority enough.

Recuperating from a series of mini-strokes, Cullen stood in front of the podium and said, ‘I’m sorry the Governor couldn’t be here,’ she chuckled. ‘I was going to beg him for money.’

She commented on her volunteer work, ‘I’m going to do it as long as I am able.’

Kay Vaughan, Executive Director of the Mineral County Development Authority, said Cullen has worked on organizing activities, recruiting and helping school age children for the past 15 years.

‘She lives her waking hours to better the lives of children. She contributes all of her time to serving at-risk children and families on a volunteer basis.’

The MCDA also honored Jim Kaufman, owner of Criterion as entrepreneur of the year.

‘I’m in a little bit of shock,’ Kaufman said. He added that he appreciated the honor and was glad to work in Mineral County.

Authority member Amy White said that Criterion has made extraordinary strides from a small little shack to a new 24,000 square-foot manufacturing space.

‘They refurbish lawn, patio and garden furniture for major hotel chains, convention centers and even have done work on some pieces in the Smithsonian,’ said White.

Manchin spoke for nearly 15 minutes through the speaker phone. He covered such issues as Workman’s Compensation, health care, benefits in employment and sales tax.

‘We have reduced sales tax on food. Now we want it eliminated,’ said Manchin. He said that reduction in the state debt will enable the state to do away with sales tax on food ‘I have frozen the state sales tax on gasoline,’ said Manchin. ‘In 1993, gas was $1.17 a gallon. West Virginia sales tax was 25 cents on the gallon. In 2005, gas is over $3 a gallon, West Virginia sales tax is up to 27 cents. I have asked President Bush for the federal government to stop this excess cost for gasoline,’ said Manchin.

He touched on the devastation from Hurricane Katrina.

‘I am so proud of West Virginia the way we reached out to victims. This was a horrible hurricane,’ he said.

The governor also thanked those involved in the New Creek Water System. He had been scheduled to do a ‘ceremonial’ turn on the system.

‘We are working on an infrastructure in all of West Virginia. Infrastructure is important. It’s the life blood of our community,’ said Manchin. He spoke on the importance of high speed Internet hook-up roads, water and sewer.

‘Twenty-one percent of West Virginians are not connected to water, 45 percent are not connected to sewer. I cannot live with those statistics, I want them reduced and then wiped out completely.’

He referred to Mineral County as a rising star in the nation.

‘Come to West Virginia and we’ll show you how to live…how to treat people. We’re open for business. West Virginia is truly on the move,’ said Manchin.