Why Benwood’s $3 Million Fix Was Scrapped: A Deep Dive into the Controversy

Benwood thought their problem was solved. Public Works Director David McLaughlin and Police Chief Frank Longwell attended a meeting in late winter 2023, where a $3 million deal was made with the Governor’s Office. This money, from the Governor’s contingency fund, was supposed to fix a long-standing issue in Benwood.

No more falling concrete. No more collapse threats. No more disappointment.

But then Jimmy Wriston, the Secretary of the State’s Department of Transportation, canceled the deal. He claimed to have done his own study (without showing it), dismissed McLaughlin’s experts (despite their 30 years of experience), and said the real cost was $10 million (and wouldn’t be available until 2030).

Wriston said the state was out, breaking the promise just like that. Governor Jim Justice, if he truly cares about West Virginia, should admit the mistake, visit Benwood with his dog Babydog, and fix the situation.

Not to avoid criticism, not for his dog, and not for his campaign. But because it’s the right thing to do.

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