CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A half a dozen names are up in the air, as of Friday, to fill a seat on the Kanawha County Commission.
Elaine Harris, chair of the Kanawha County Democratic Executive Committee, said committee members have mentioned Bill Salango, a Charleston attorney, for the job.
“Definitely he seems to be a favored person thus far,” Harris told 580-WCHS.
Governor-elect Jim Justice announced last week longtime Kanawha County Commissioner Dave Hardy, a Democrat, will become the new state Revenue Secretary under his administration. Hardy will resign at midnight on Jan. 19. He’ll go to work at the state Capitol the next day.
“Mixed feelings” is the reaction Harris said she had when she heard the news.
“We’re sorry to see him leave because he’s been in that Commission role for several years, but also, seeing he’s very qualified and very much a good person for a pick for the Justice team,” she said.
Hardy was appointed to the Commission in 2001 and won the election the next year. He was reelected to six-year terms in 2004, 2010 and again last November.
The Commission will be in charge of appointing Hardy’s replacement until the next general election in 2018. Harris said if Kanawha County Commissioners Kent Carper, president, and Hoppy Shores can’t decide on someone, then the decision will fall to the committee.
“The members of that committee will the take a vote,” Harris said.
A policy, passed by the Commission in 2013, requires public comment for vacant positions that need to be filled for public county offices.
According to the county’s schedule, the Commission will accept resumes and cover letter no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 30.
Application materials may be submitted via mail, or hand delivery, to the Kanawha County Commission Office, attention County Manager Jennifer Herrald, 407 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV, 25301. Applicants may also submit a resume and cover letter via email to Jennifer Herrald, County Manager at [email protected].
Applicants will be interviewed during a well-noticed public meeting held by the Kanawha County Commission. Public interviews will be conducted Feb. 2. A final decision could be made Feb. 2 or Feb. 7.
The appointee must be of the same political party as the officeholder vacating the office, and therefore must be registered as a member of the Democratic Party.
The annual salary is set at $41,395 with health benefits.