Cutting through the red tape wasn't the hard part. Getting the landlord and City Council to take them seriously, was. "They weren't exactly negative toward our proposal," said GOP Headquarters chief, Noble Abrams. "They just kept laughing and thanking us for 'making their day'. One councilman laughed so hard he was crying."
Once they realized the group was serious, the laughter stopped.
Council member, Barbara O'Donnell told us, "We had no precedent for what they were wanting to do. Putting a Republican office in downtown Martinsburg? We weren't sure it was legal or even safe. We didn't want to deny anyone's rights, but we have to think of the community, first. That's our job."
The community of Martinsburg, like most of West Virginia, has predominately been considered a Democrat stronghold due to Union influence. While individual members are often conservative, Union leaders are without fail, hardcore democrats. That tight grip on jobs has made it hard for some members and even communities to be willing to go against them.
After assuring the council their goal was not to cause mayhem and panic in the streets of Martinsburg, they finally agreed.
The GOP Victory Field Office opened Tuesday to support local and statewide Republican candidates for the November 16th election. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey attended as did Bill Maloney's wife, Sharon. Lunch was catered by Anthony's Pizza.
Also in attendance was Congresswoman Shelley Moore-Capito, "I think people are displeased with the direction in which the country's going and I think that's the beginning with the president and that's causing people to not vote their party but vote the individual and the person who they think has the vision to create jobs and get people working again."
See Also: GOP Office Opens in Martinsburg via Your4State.com
