HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 28

(By Delegates Marcum, Phillips, Hicks, Thompson, Hamrick, Dean, Westfall, Frich and Deem)

[Introduced March 1, 2017]

Requesting the Division of Highways to name Bridge No. 30-52 2.73 (30A110) (37.82180, -82.39737) between Kermit and East Kermit, locally known as the Upper Burning Creek Bridge, carrying U. S. 52 over Upper Burning Creek & NS Railroad in Mingo County, the “Johnny O’Dell Linville Memorial Bridge.”

Whereas, Johnny O'Dell Linville was born April 29, 1947, to Lenhart and Hazel Lovejoy Linville in their home at Palermo, Lincoln County, West Virginia. The family moved to Kermit, West Virginia when Johnny was three years of age. He had four brothers and two sisters. He was educated in Kermit. He married Dorothy Spaulding Linville on September 3, 1966. They had one daughter, Rhonda Linville Muncy. Johnny served as the mayor in the Town of Kermit for over 17 years, while also serving as a councilman for 3 years. He played a pivotal role in a multitude of projects, including the Kermit Community Park that serves to this day as a popular gathering place for social events and town's new sewer system. He also planted trees and flowers throughout the town. His love for the town was shown in his efforts to make Kermit the Cleanest Little Town in West Virginia. One of his slogans was: "If you litter in Kermit, you have had a bad day!” This resulted in the perpetrator receiving a hefty fine. He played a huge part in the creation of the baseball field at East Kermit and he would work the PA system for hours each day, and announce the names of the baseball players from the press box. He would be there from opening day to the season finale, from the top to the bottom of the schedule each day, always with a smile on his face, knowing the benefits that the field provided for the community and its children. Johnny died on March 1, 2016, following a two year struggle with kidney disease. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Dorothy Spaulding Linville of Kermit, his daughter Rhonda Linville Muncy, son-in-law Gabe Muncy and grandson, John Alex Muncy, who is a student at Marshall University; and

Whereas, Naming this bridge in his hometown is an appropriate recognition of Mayor Johnny O'Dell Linville’s contributions to his community; therefore, be it

 Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name Bridge No. 30-52 2.73 (30A110) (37.82180, -82.39737) between Kermit and East Kermit, locally known as the Upper Burning Creek Bridge, carrying U. S. 52 over Upper Burning Creek & NS Railroad in Mingo County, the “Johnny O’Dell Linville Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is requested to have made and be placed signs identifying the bridge as the “Johnny O’Dell Linville Memorial Bridge”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.