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Tom Salkovick

WHEELING – Republican House of Delegates candidate Tom Salkovick sees the Ohio Valley capitalizing on its fastest-growing sectors – most notably tourism and aeronautics.

Salkovick, 51, will face incumbent Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, for the District 5 delegate seat in the Nov. 5 general election.

“With the new Convention and Visitors Bureau building on the horizon and outstanding venues like Oglebay Park, WesBanco Arena and the Highlands Sports Complex, we are well-positioned to attract substantial tourism revenue,” he said.

“Moreover, music tourism is emerging as a vital driver for our local economy, thanks to venues like the (Capitol Theatre), the Wheeling Symphony, and Heritage Port. We also have smaller local venues like Waterfront Hall, the Bridge Tavern, and the Silver Rail, which host talented acts and contribute to our cultural landscape.”

And the aeronautics industry is growing in West Virginia, particularly at the Ohio County Airport, according to Salkovick.

“Expanding this airport would provide a more pleasant travel experience and create positive ripple effects across various industries,” he said. “Innovations like vertical takeoff aircraft could revolutionize travel times to major cities, ensuring we stay ahead of industry trends.”

Salkovick is also committed to enhancing the film industry in West Virginia. He explained there is a 31% tax credit for filming in West Virginia.

Salkovick is an Ohio County native who currently teaches physical education and health at John Marshall High School. He has also coached football at Wheeling Middle School and lacrosse at Wheeling Park High School. He received his teaching degree from West Liberty University.

“In education, I support school choice and the HOPE Scholarship, but I believe West Virginia tax dollars should remain in our state,” Salkovick said. “Currently, some of the HOPE scholarship funds go to out-of-state institutions.

“I propose redirecting these funds to local institutions such as Linsly and Wheeling Central to enhance educational opportunities. Expanding early childhood education will alleviate financial burdens on parents with childcare costs and improve academic outcomes.”

As a public school teacher, he said he understands the value of public schools “as the backbone of our educational system.”

“It is essential to foster collaboration between public and private institutions,” Salkovick continued. “Students should have the opportunity to participate in career and technical education (CTE) programs, regardless of where they are enrolled.

“To achieve this, it is essential that public schools do not lose all funding when a student transfers to another institution. Maintaining adequate resources is crucial for continuing to offer diverse programs that benefit all students. This approach could also contribute to smaller class sizes in public schools, allowing teachers to provide more direct instruction to each student. Ultimately, these improvements will enhance our educational system and help elevate our rankings, which is a goal we all share. A reduced teacher-to-student ratio would be particularly advantageous for fostering effective learning environments,” he said.