OCTOBER 22, 2021
Leaders in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties in western Maryland have written letters to West Virginia state leaders asking them to adopt their counties.
The letters, dated October 14, were sent to West Virginia Senate President Craig Blair and West Virginia Speaker of the House Roger Hanshaw. They were undersigned by Maryland State Senator George C. Edwards, who represents all three counties, and Delegates Wendell Beitzel, Jason Buckel, Mike McKay, William Wivell and Mike McKay.
In the letters, the Maryland lawmakers ask the West Virginia legislators to “consider adding us as constituent counties to the State of West Virginia.”
“We believe this arrangement may be mutually beneficial for both states and for our local constituencies,” they go on to say. “Please advise on next steps.”
After 7News asked Gov. Larry Hogan’s office for a comment on the letters, Hogan spokesperson Michael Ricci tweeted that he hopes the legislators will provide some clarity about the request soon.
“This has probably left a lot of people confused—including many Western Marylanders—and we certainly hope that the legislators will provide some clarity here,” Ricci stated.
