Simon

Harpers Ferry resident Elliot Simon today announced that he will run for the West Virginia House of Delegates representing the 57th District, the seat currently held by John Doyle. Simon filed pre-candidacy papers with the Secretary of State on December 1st and finalized his plans to run this week.

“I am running for Delegate because I am extremely concerned about the future of Jefferson County and the state of West Virginia. Unfortunately, West Virginia ranks near or at the bottom of nearly every important economic category. That needs to change.” Simon noted that the average per capita income of West Virginians relative to other states peaked in 1934 and has declined ever since. Simon also said that the tax burden of an average West Virginian as a percentage of income ranks near the Nation’s top.

Simon says, “our current economic policies discourage people from doing business in our state. And that means that the best and brightest of our young people must go elsewhere to be able to pursue life, liberty, happiness and a successful career.

“Without a vibrant private sector, taxes go ever higher, incomes go ever lower, and our quality of life suffers. West Virginia needs economic growth policies that create private sector jobs that will enable us to reduce government spending and taxes.”

Born and raised in New York, Simon, 55, received his BA from the University of Chicago in 1976. He and his wife Isabel chose to make Jefferson County their home 8 years ago.

Simon is semi-retired having spent over 30 years in the ground transportation and corporate travel industry serving as president, chief operating officer, executive vice president and managing director for a number of companies. He has also consulted for Fortune 500 companies managing and implementing logistics and cost containment projects. Simon serves as treasurer of the Blue Ridge Acres Civic Association and is also treasurer of the newly formed Jefferson County Organization of Home Owners Associations.