(Morgantown, W.Va.) The public is invited to the “Stars, Stripes & Justice For All” Flag Day ceremony, scheduled to take place on June 14, 2023, from noon until 12:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Monongalia County Courthouse Square, located at 243 High Street, in downtown Morgantown, WV.

This Flag Day program will be a memorable occasion filled with patriotic fervor and heartfelt appreciation for our nation’s flag and the principles it represents. Hon. Al Kisner, former Monongalia County Sheriff, will serve as master of ceremonies.

The national anthem will be sung by local Al Anderson, adding notes of melodic praise. A number of dignitaries will be present, including the Hon. Charlene Marshall, former House Delegate & Morgantown Mayor, who will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Esteemed elected officials, civic leaders, and community representatives will be in attendance, lending their support and participation in this special day.

Representatives from the Elizabeth Ludington Hagans – Col. John Evans Chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution will open the program honoring the birthday of our nation’s flag.

Attendees will witness military honors by the Westover Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9916 and the Earl Anderson Marine Corps League Detachment 342, paying tribute to the sacrifices made by our servicemen and servicewomen who’ve sacrificed for our flag and country, including bravely giving of their lives.

This special ceremony commemorates Flag Day and the enactment of H.B. 3332, which took effect June 9. As a result of this legislation enabling the reallocation of magistrate judges, Monongalia County has been granted two more judges; one new judge who will commence duties soon, providing immediate relief.

Bob Musick, former Star City mayor, and Wes Nugent, Vote Bane treasurer, serve as event co-chairs, bringing knowledge, expertise, and passion to ensure a dignified, meaningful celebration that respects our flag and honors the values of liberty and justice citizens proclaim when pledging allegiance to our flag.

Bring at least 50-cents to park on the street or pay by credit card at a nearby parking garage. You can ride Mountain Line for 75-cents each way using direct routes 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 16. Routes 30, 46, 47 connect.

On Flag Day, you can unite with us as a community to demonstrate a commitment to justice and shared love for our great nation. Plan to join us as we gather together on June 14th at the Monongalia County Courthouse Square to celebrate the spirit of freedom, and pay tribute to the American flag, honor those who’ve served our nation and acknowledge the bipartisan support to the reallocate of magistrate judges.

(Morgantown, W.Va.) The public is invited to a Flag Day celebration at the Monongalia County Courthouse Square on Wednesday, June 14, from noon until 12:30 p.m., when our community celebrates Old Glory: the freedom the flag symbolizes, the country it represents, and the justice it enshrines as we honor the sacrifices of veterans who’ve fought and died in service to our nation.

In a special way, all who worked together from our community to encourage legislators, court officials and the governor’s office to provide additional help for magistrate court so as to ensure fair, equitable, and swift justice for citizens, now and going forward, will be acknowledged.

Military honors, musical tributes, and guest speakers are planned. Plan to take time during your lunch hour to celebrate together with our community in front of the courthouse on High Street.

“As citizens, when we pledge allegiance to our republic as represented by our flag, we honor all patriots and affirm our shared responsibilities to uphold those values and principles our flag represents: liberty and justice for all. It’s fitting to come together as a community and recognize our courts, and this unique, once-in-a-generation triumph to restore a fifth magistrate judge to Monongalia County this July,” said Wes Nugent, treasurer of the Vote Bane campaign.

“Magistrate court judges will have more time to schedule and prepare for court cases which will allow for more expedient justice. The courtroom space is ready with minimal costs needed to start in July. This is a win for Monongalia County’s citizens and taxpayers,” added former Star City mayor, Bob Musick, who’s helping with the commemoration.

“A bipartisan citizens committee is working to plan and host the event through the Vote Bane Committee. If you’re interested to assist or contribute time or talent, please contact us online or via social media, or reach out to Bob Musick or Wes Nugent who are leading the event,” added Ron Bane, Monongalia County Division 1 Magistrate.

(Morgantown, W.Va.) In the closing hours of the 86th regular session of the West Virginia Legislature, a comprehensive court bill that included magistrate, family, and circuit courts was completed. Pending the governor’s signature, the end result is that Monongalia County will have two new magistrate judges on the 2024 ballot, with one magistrate set to start early, as of July 1, 2023.

H.B. 3332 began in the House of Delegates as a circuit court bill. It was one of a number of pieces of leadership-sponsored legislation with a goal to update courts following the completed legislative redistricting. It was not a bill that Monongalia County Magistrate Ron Bane had been monitoring.

“On crossover day, the situation looked bleak. Hope for immediate relief in Monongalia County magistrate court seemed out of reach,” said Bane. Various pieces of legislation relating to aspects of court reform had passed one chamber or the other, but the comprehensive bill that Bane had been watching, S.B. 482, was stalled in the Senate Finance Committee. “I largely resigned myself to the WV Supreme Court order taking effect as written,” Bane remarked about an administrative order dated January 5, that granted Monongalia County two magistrate judges in 2024 if the legislature didn’t act.

The traditional path, a bill to add one magistrate judge to Monongalia County, as Delegate Joe Statler and others sought via H.B. 3174, always seemed like a longshot, Bane acknowledged, “With thousands of bills proposed each session, getting attention for any one county is a challenge. Joe Statler made a case to legislative and court leaders though, and that spoke volumes, for which I was grateful.”

A comprehensive plan emerged though. Once in the Senate, the H.B. 3332 changed form. A number of strike and insert committee substitutes and a few floor amendments would help to reshape the bill.

Bane noted a text from Senator Mike Oliverio soon after crossover day gave a glint of hope that the effort could be salvaged. “Mike Oliverio previously helped get Monongalia County a fifth magistrate. With help from Charlie Clements, I believed our senators would try to do what they could to help,” said Bane.

The WV Senate passed H.B. 3332 as amended by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, March 9. All that was needed, it seemed, was concurrence from the WV House of Delegates. With only two days remaining though, it was unclear exactly when, or even if, it might get considered. Early in the evening of Saturday, March 11, the House took up the Senate’s message. A floor amendment in the House of Delegates meant the bill must go back to the Senate for concurrence.

Late Saturday though, the almost unthinkable happened. With a nearly unanimous vote, the Senate concurred with House amendments and passed H.B. 3332, which among other things grants Monongalia County a magistrate early starting in July. Bane added, “I’m thankful for so many people, and especially for the resolve our Senators and Delegates showed on behalf of our county and magistrate court.”