Congressman David McKinley, left, discusses how Congress must now keep all earmarks out of bills with New Martinsville Mayor Lucille Blum, right. (Photo by Amy Witschey)

In the afternoon of Feb. 24 Congressman David McKinley (R-Ohio County) met with a few area leaders to know their needs and concerns, particularly how they relate to business.

What I want to do is make sure we don’t continue what’s been going on in the past,” by not knowing what’s going on. He put 60,000 miles on his car last year.

“We can take your voice back to Washington,” McKinley told those at the meeting. “We want to hear what’s happening here.” He has been conducting similar meetings throughout the First District and said he is hearing “horror stories”.

Beri Fox of Marble King in Paden City thanked McKinley for the help he has already rendered. “This is my valley too,” he replied. “I know it is,” said an appreciative Fox.

Fox, a big proponent of American manufacturing and president and chief executive officer of “Made in USA Certified” business, is deeply concerned about free trade agreements.

“Every time that we enter into a new free trade agreement, it does hamper our ability to be competitive,” she said.

Fox cited a recent issue that hit home. She was negotiating with a buyer of glass gems who wanted to package the product themselves in a jar they can get from China at a cost of 38 cents each. That is the complete cost, product and shipping. Marble King uses a jar made in Kentucky at a cost of 55 cents with an additional 18-cents shipping costs.

“Do you honestly think they can make and ship a jar from China? Are you kidding me?! exclaimed Fox, implying that the Chinese government is subsidizing the industry.

Thankfully she has talked with the CEO of the company wanting to purchase the gems and is hopeful that his dedication to American-made products will win out.

Someone once said to Fox in passing, “How can a company-any company-compete against a country?” She has pondered that statement many times. “That’s a very good question,” she summarized.

McKinley said China is now trying to find a way to subsidize after-market auto parts. Predictions are that by the end of 2012 China could grab 50 percent of that market in the U.S. “But they can’t let them in unless we let them,” emphasized Fox.

A similar situation with China that certainly affects the Ohio Valley exists in the steel industry where the U.S. finds it hard to compete. McKinley said the cost of raw materials for that product are relatively level, in fact China is importing some of those raw materials from the U.S. People may cite the cost of labor in the United States compared to in China where steel workers are paid $12 per day. But McKinley said the average cost of labor for steel is $50 per ton and the cost to transport steel from China to the U.S. is $100 per ton. Without subsidy, the Chinese could not produce and deliver steel to America at a lower cost.

More foreign influence was of a concern to Fox in the natural gas industry. She said in Wetzel County alone currently 31 percent of mineral royalties are owned by foreign entities and it is expected that by the end of March that percentage will rise to 38 and then to 52 percent by end of 2014.

“I do think as a country, as citizens, as a community, we need to look at that,” said Fox.

“Is there some way that we can protect those natural resources for the greatest benefit of our own country?” asked Fox.

“I’m not sure,” answered McKinley as he held up his copy of the Constitution.

“There’s a huge difference between purchase and ownership,” said Fox. “If they own it. If they own the rights, then we’ll be buying from them.”

A member of the energy and commerce committee, McKinley said he was relatively dismissed when he first requested that appointment. “They said they didn’t put freshmen on it,” said the first time congressman. He told them he was the oldest member of the freshman class and in business for 43 years. “I am no freshman.” Obviously, he eventually got the appointment to the very coveted committee.

Steve Hunt, owner of S & S Jewelry in New Martinsville, said one of his biggest concerns is medical insurance. McKinley said this is a major issue for all employers, particularly small ones.

“If we don’t help our employees have insurance, then we will be fined through Obamacare,” said Hunt. That fine is about $7,000 per employee per year, but that fine may be less than the cost of health insurance. Of course that creates a tricky situation as businesses may accept the fine and leave employees without insurance.

“I am a very small business, but my medical insurance for my wife and I costs $1,100 per month,” said Hunt. Even at that high price, the plan does not include any prescription coverage and a $10,000 deductible.

“Quite frankly they’re a little upset the administration stonewalled this thing until this year,” said McKinley. “We all know that this will need to be resolved in court. If the court rules that it (Obamacare) is unconstitutional, then we have a plan that we think could work.”

“I’d like to take politics out of issues, but there are reasons as to why things are happening,” said McKinley. “We just need to get them together to work for America.”

Finally, New Martinsville Mayor Lucille Blum lobbied for the town’s parks, particularly further development at Bruce Park. New Martinsville Recorder Bonnie Shannon said she wanted to know what she can do to get storm sewer projects funded. “We have a shovel-ready project, an $8 million project,” said Shannon.

“Who can argue with infrastructure?” asked McKinley. “I am disgusted that in 2012 we still have to use water buffalos to get water to some of the people in West Virginia.” He added that there are no more earmarks allowed and the city would need to seek grant funding on a level playing field with the rest of the country.