Reporters barred from West Virginia meeting about industrial park

George Hohmann, the business editor of the Charleston Daily Mail, was among the reporters barred Tuesday from a meeting at an industrial park in West Virginia held by government officials to discuss its future.

Hohmann wrote, “Representatives of the Daily Mail, Gazette, WSAZ-TV and MetroNews gathered to request that the meeting be open to the public.

“A request from the Daily Mail reached Matt Turner, the governor’s spokesman, about 15 minutes after the meeting started. Turner said he understood the media’s concerns but it had been decided to proceed with the meeting behind closed doors.”

MetroNews reported, “Gov. Manchin called the meeting of all the stakeholders to try to finish a deal where the park would be transferred to the state of West Virginia. The owner of the park, Dow Chemical, wants to find a new owner or close the park and begin tearing down the buildings.

“Manchin, state and local officials believe the park can serve as a research facility.

“Officials announced Tuesday’s meeting would be closed, but that brought the ire of some media.”