Our Contributors

Guidelines for New Voices

One of the Association’s top priorities is keeping our community informed about the key issues that matter most. While all our members agree on the importance of these issues in making Jefferson County a better place, we don’t always agree on how to address them.

Our membership spans a wide spectrum—from politically centrist “light blue” thinkers to those on the progressive or socialist left. We are not a monolith, and we value open discussion and differing perspectives on how to create meaningful change. What unites us is the belief that any thoughtful action on these issues is a step forward.

The Our Voices section of our website reflects this diversity of thought on the core issues. The contributors featured here represent just a few of the perspectives within the Association. As we grow, we’ll continue to amplify new voices and broaden the conversation.

But also check out our members’ voices as they express their opinions on breaking news. Their reactions will often appear in local press and to broaden their audience, we will repost their views on a page called Headline News.

Neal Barkus

Neal Barkus

Neal Barkus is a native West Virginian, having grown up in Charleston. He practiced employment law in DC and West Virginia for 40 years, retiring in 2015. He is President of Conservation West Virginia, a Board member of the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County, and writes a blog called Panhandle Progressive. He and his wife Alice live just outside of Shepherdstown.

Jim Bauman

Jim Bauman is a retired professional linguist. He has lived and voted in West Virginia since 1980 He earned his living with different not-for-profit groups in the DC area, made possible by the MARC Train. He is a former contributing columnist for the Spirit of Jefferson. He and his partner David live in Bakerton.

John Doyle

A resident outside of Shepherdstown, John Doyle represented Jefferson County for 26 years in the West Virginia House of Delegates. He grew up in Charles Town and graduated from Charles Town High School. He majored in political science at Shepherd University, graduating in 1966. He served in the U.S. Army infantry in Vietnam. He served on the boards of directors of Pan Tran (now EPTA transit service) and the Shenandoah Women’s Center (now the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center).

Mike Chalmers

Mike Chalmers specializes in writing, research, and strategy for companies and organizations connected to construction, transportation, government, and education. He lives in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

JennyThacker

Jenny Thacker

Jenny Thacker grew up in California believing that a democratic system of government only works if the population participates. In college she vowed to write at least one letter a week to a leader who could make a difference about a cause that mattered to her. After earning her BA in Geography, she joined the US Peace Corps, traveled widely, and settled in West Virginia to raise her family, coach soccer, and commute to Washington, D.C. to work for NOAA making nautical charts. She is now retired.

Julie Archer

Julie Archer is Deputy Director of WV Citizen Action Group and the immediate past President of the League of Women Voters of West Virginia. She has served as a member of the board of directors for the WV Environmental Council and WV FREE, and currently serves on the board of the League of Women Voters of WV. She grew up near Parkersburg, attended Shepherd College and Marshall University, and holds a BS in Biology. She lives in Lincoln County with her husband Terry and their many pets.

Jakob Light

Jakob has lived in Ranson, Jefferson County all of his life. At 17 he went to his first event with the Jefferson County Democrats and then that was all she wrote, He was inspired to join and fight for the cause. After almost a year of working within the organization he became the secretary for the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee. He used the knowledge gained from that position to help create the Jefferson County Young Dems, so far the only county club in the state. The purpose of the club to create a party for younger people, one they can be proud to be a part of.

Emily Asaf

Emily is a Shepherdstown resident who loves the outdoors, reading, writing and helping her community. She has a political science and business background, and serves on several local groups and committees.