The median age of the population of West Virginia is 42.5 years. That is the fourth oldest median age of any of the states in the country, higher than even the retirement haven, Florida. Approximately 19.4 percent of our population is over the age of 65. That puts West Virginia at number three in that category.

And we are not getting younger. Over half of our college graduates leave the state for jobs elsewhere — the second highest loss rate in the nation.

Senator Hannah Geffert wants to invest in the children of West Virginia, by improving our public school system. Strong public school systems, coupled with the other advantages West Virginia offers, would attract new businesses — businesses which offer job opportunities and wages that would allow young people to remain in the Mountain State and raise a family. Strong public schools are at the top of the list of things relocating businesses ask about.

To have good schools, we must have good teachers and service personnel. To keep our teachers and service personnel, we have to pay them competitive wages. Many candidates for office give a nod to this fact, but end up suggesting a band aid solution, so they can use our tax money for something else.

The governor keeps telling us we have a surplus, which is growing each month. How about using some of that money to help keep teachers in our Eastern Panhandle schools? It takes time and experience to become a good teacher, and we should do all we can to keep those teachers in our Eastern Panhandle schools.

Senator Hannah Geffert’s campaign is about making West Virginia a state where young people have opportunities, so they can stay here and raise their families. That is her top priority.

Vote to keep Senator Geffert in the West Virginia Senate. Help keep our young folks in the Mountain State.

Cory Roman, of Martinsburg