CHARLESTON, W.Va. State Senator Mike Oliverio (R-Monongalia, 13) discussed maintenance and staffing levels with Secretary of Transportation of the West Virginia Department of Highways (DOH) Jimmy Wriston Tuesday during a meeting of the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Department of Transportation Accountability.
Oliverio carried the maintenance concerns of officials from Star City, Granville, Westover, and Morgantown who have been requesting right-of-way maintenance, specifically mowing, this summer. In addition to requests, Oliverio has offered to assume the maintenance responsibilities for some Monongalia County roads in exchange for the budget money the DOH had earmarked for the same area.
“We have families coming from New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey bringing kids in to look at West Virginia University (WVU), and we don’t want them to see that when they come in,” Oliverio said.
Wriston told Oliverio that the DOH continues to refine its practices and relies more heavily on data to determine maintenance needs.
“The days of the screeching wheel getting attention are over; we are a data-driven organization, and we’re going to plan our work and work our plan,” Wriston said. “Absolutely, when a legislator calls us with a particular issue, if we can work it in, we’re going to run to the fire every time.”
Oliverio told Wriston that when he left the legislature in 2011, Monongalia County had 55 workers dedicated to the area, and recent information showed the Monongalia County operation is currently staffed with 22 workers. After inquiring about how lawmakers could help with staffing levels, Wriston said many things have changed over that 10-year period that have increased productivity.
“I challenge that premise, with 22 today, can do the work of 55 from 10 years ago; there’s no question about that,” Wriston said. “If you don’t see the efficiencies in this organization, you’re just not paying attention.”
When concerns were raised during the summer, officials learned that DOH County Supervisor Dave McCormick had been reassigned and not yet replaced. Shortly after that, DOH Chief Engineer Joe Pack said leaders at the District 4 Headquarters in Bridgeport were offering guidance for the Monongalia County work crews.
“We don’t need 55 people in Monongalia County today to accomplish what we’re doing,” Wriston said. “What we need is good, sound leadership in key roles, and that’s what we’re working toward, and that will make the difference.”