Photo: Greenbrier County Christmas by Becky Sayers

CHARLESTON – For more than a decade, West Virginia was labeled a "Judicial Hellhole" because of our state’s activist judges, the rampant courtroom abuses by some personal injury lawyers and unbalanced laws that have been out-of-step with other states.

Now, with thanks to the strong bipartisan leadership of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, State Senate President Bill Cole, House Speaker Tim Armstead and the coalition of legislators who acted boldly during the legislative session to address our state’s notorious legal system, the American Tort Reform Association no longer labels us a "Judicial Hellhole."

The bipartisan legal reforms passed during the legislative session will help make our state more attractive to job creators. They will help small businesses grow and hire more employees. These reforms have resulted in savings, will provide more opportunities for West Virginians and can help.

We look forward to seeing you at our remaining Area meeting:
Area 6 -- Jan. 07 -- 5:00 p.m. -- 4-H Camp Grounds, Wood County

The Ag/Forestry Day at the Capitol: February 09

AB Brooks Symposium: February 10
Developing Symposium Agenda:
Loggers Workers Comp Premium-Reduction Opportunity - Terry Duke, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Loggers Workers Comp - Brady Campbell, MS, CLCS, Commercial Insurance
2016 Tax Legislation - Mike Caryl, Bowles Rice
Other Possible Topics: At-Rick Species in WV, WV Truck Road Weights

Mona Griswold, of Fleurmont, LLC, is now working as a consultant under contract with the SFI Forest Partners Program in Virginia and West Virginia. That contact began on December 1.

In West Virginia we grow and produce a lot of wood, and our forests provide a wealth of benefits to us all, like wildlife habitat, recreation, clean water and air, as well as jobs. Forests hold great importance in our state.

Third-party forest certification can be a valuable tool to help landowners and the forest product industry demonstrate proof of responsible forestry and wood procurement practices to world markets, which are essential to West Virginia.

Certification can provide just the edge needed to compete effectively in today’s global markets. Our forests and all the values they provide have a bright future, and I personally look forward to the continued success of forest certification."

12/21/2015 NOTICE: Please note our website is being overhauled! While we expect little to no downtime, please excuse any broken links or other issues as we prepare a much improved site for our current and future members! Please check back soon!