Tag: Capitol Complex

Former Byrd Speechwriter to Discuss Late Senator

Author and former speechwriter for West Virginia’s late U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd plans to discuss the myths and reality of the influential Senate leader next Thursday in Charleston.

David Corbin, who worked for Byrd for 16 years and another decade for other Senate leaders, wrote “The Last Great Senator: Robert C. Byrd’s Encounters with Eleven U.S. Presidents”.

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History says he will appear in the Culture Center at the Capitol complex in a free evening program open to the public.

He holds a Ph.D. in labor history, and has taught for the University of Maryland.

He also authored books about the West Virginia’s southern coal fields from 1880 to 1922 and a history of the battles between unionists and coal companies.

Justice Has No Plans to Remove Jackson Statue

Gov. Jim Justice is denouncing violence by white supremacists and neo-Nazis in neighboring Virginia but indicates he has no immediate plans to act on requests to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson from the Capitol grounds in Charleston.

At a Monday press conference, Justice calls what happened in Charlottesville “despicable,” and says he’s “sympathetic” to people who feel harmed by things that recall the past.

However, he says it’s “a complex situation” and removing the statue could lead to other groups asking to remove other historical markers.

“Let’s just be respectful and find the right pathways that are the right way that makes things fit for everyone, before we off and take off and do something that’s just going to start spiraling and cause a lot of problems,” he said at the press conference.

Justice, who recently switched to Republican, says there’s no place in our society for “neo-Nazi groups and white supremacy.”

The white nationalist rally over the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville left one woman dead.

W.Va. Capitol Police Reinforces Safety Rules Ahead of Sunday Rally

A Black Lives Matter rally will be held outside the Capitol Complex in Charleston on Sunday.

After recent violence in Charlottesville, Va., the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs announced in a news release Friday that safety rules for the Capitol grounds are being reinforced ahead of the rally.

The use of firearms and certain knives and bludgeons are already prohibited from the Capitol’s campus, however, the Department of Military Affairs says some additional items are now banned, effective immediately. These items include:

  • Sticks, including those on signs
  • Helmets
  • Shields
  • Water guns or pistols
  • Capstun or pepper spray

Bicycles and animals will also be prohibited during Sunday’s event in the Capitol’s North Plaza.
Other items may be prohibited if they appear to be a risk to people or property. The Department of Military Affairs asks that visitors use common sense and be mindful of the items prohibited before they enter the Capitol grounds. 

Backbacks, coolers, and bags brought on to the campus could be searched. 

Masks, hoods, or face coverings on the Capitol grounds or other public spaces are also prohibited. 

The Department of Military Affairs and the Capitol Police will be coordinating its safety and security measures with other law enforcement agencies as well as with the Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Event to Honor West Virginia Fallen Law Enforcement Officers

Fallen law enforcement officers will be honored at the state Capitol Complex.

A ceremony is scheduled Tuesday in the Culture Center in Charleston. A procession will include the placing of a wreath at the Fallen Partner Memorial on the Culture Center plaza.

A representative of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin will speak at the event, which is open to the public.

State Awards $7.5M Contract for Capitol Buildings Project

West Virginia has awarded a $7,478,000 contract to demolish and rebuild four floors in two office towers that are part of the state Capitol complex.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that the Department of Administration awarded the contract to Maynard C. Smith Construction Co., of Charleston, from among eight bidders for the contract to renovate Buildings 5 and 6.

The project will join a flurry of construction activity at the Capitol complex, including a $34 million renovation of Building 3 and a perimeter security project that includes a security fence around the governor’s mansion.

Completed in 1971, the two office towers are connected by Building 7, a two-story conference center. Until recently, the towers had not seen any significant renovation since their openings.

Agency cites Contractor, Says Workers Exposed to Heat

  The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a Charleston roofing contractor for exposing workers to excessive heat.

The agency said Monday that one employee of Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Co. was hospitalized for a heat-related illness on Sept. 11 while the company was removing tile roofing from Building 3 at the Capitol Complex.

The agency says in a news release that the employee worked outdoors in direct sunlight for five hours. The peak heat index was 90 degrees.

Tri-State received one general duty clause citation for exposing workers to heat stress conditions. The federal agency also issued a serious citation for electrical hazards.

The agency proposed $6,552 in penalties.

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