Betsy Orndoff-Sayers

Betsy Orndoff-Sayers was born in Winchester, Virginia. She earned a high school diploma from Wardensville School, a bachelor's degree from West Virginia University in 1983, and a graduate degree from George Mason University in 2008. Her career experience includes working as a mayor, small business owner, and public school teacher.[1]

As of 2024, Orndoff-Sayers was affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

Region 8 Planning & Development Council, Executive Board

Region 8 Solid Waster Authority

West Virginia Municipal League, Executive Board

Wardensville Development Authority

VFW Capon Post 2102 Auxiliary

Lion's Club International

South Branch Valley Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution

West Virginia 4-H All Star

National Association for the Education of Young Children

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Betsy Orndoff-Sayers is a lifelong community champion, retired teacher, business owner, and two-term mayor of Wardensville, W.Va. She is running for the District 86 seat in the W.Va. House of Delegates (Hardy and part of Pendleton counties).

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I believe that local problems need local solutions, not ones imposed on them from Charleston or Washington. If elected, I will work to reverse the current trend in the legislature of stripping towns and counties of important powers to make decisions on issues that directly affect our working citizens and families, including data centers, sufficient infrastructure, strong public schools and invasive transmission lines.The other big challenges we all face as working West Virginians – problems best suited for solutions at the state level – include fully funding public education, fixing PEIA, providing clean water to all of our residents, providing access to affordable housing, and supporting childcare and addiction treatment programs.These are big challenges, and they won't get fixed if we all just sit on our hands and fret, or grumble about it on social media. We need to get personally involved in our communities and work with the other good folks throughout West Virginia to make it a better place for everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public education, utility infrastructure, affordable child care, quality child services, and affordable housing

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Communications Workers of America WV; American Federation of Teachers COPE (Education West Virginia); Planned Parenthood; WV AFL-CIO COPE; Center for Free Thought Equality PAC

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a retired family and consumer sciences teacher and I helped young people solve life problems, big and small. I traveled to and taught in Manassas, Virginia for 32.5 years. I worked in Prince William County for better pay, benefits and a collaborative learning environment. I use my teaching background every day as mayor of Wardensville, WV. There, I've seen first-hand the big issues we face all over West Virginia: aging water and sewer infrastructure, lack of affordable housing, improving our public schools by supporting the teachers who work there and the students they teach, access to child care, access to health care and addiction treatment, providing adequate funding for fire and emergency services, and making everyone welcome in our state regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. Council has begun a major water and waste water treatment projects, started work on a solar array to power our sewer treatment plant and community center. We look to the future by addressing issues today.

Our State legislature has been ignoring these problems. Instead, they've been stifling local groups like towns, county commissions, and volunteer agencies by passing bad laws without listening to the folks in their districts. They’ve been taking loads of out-of-state money and drumming up solutions to problems that don't need fixing. I want to help change that. I want the Legislature to focus on the real problems of all West Virginians, not just a select few.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will champion legislation to address the problem of lack of access to clean water. We as a state need to address the clean water issues that are causing concern around the state. We have local water utilities that are struggling to provide clean water to their customers and customers that don’t have a reliable water source that is free from industrial contaminates. We can do better at improving the infrastructure by bringing the parties together and creating a plan to resolve the issues. The plan may involve combining utilities or providing funding to upgrade our aging water and wastewater utilities. Project funding needs to be leveraged to maximize the return on local investment.Our residents need access to adequate and affordable housing throughout the state. Previously, some of our county Rural Development Authorities were building housing developments for low to moderate income families . We need to look at Housing Authority models that are working around the state and see how they can be replicated arounds the state. Cooperation and collaboration are key in addressing this concern. Industry needs to be involved in providing housing for workers that they bring to an area. We also need to look at what may happens when an individual no longer works for for that employer. Is housing available? What resources are available to address homelessness? This is an example of an unintended business consequence.Our families deserve access to quality and affordable child care. In 1943, Congress allocated $20 million to create the nation's first and only universal childcare program under the Lanham Act. States and private companies used the funding to set up programs that provided child care while women worked in the factories. There is a model to do this. It comes down to state governments deciding that developmentally appropriate child care is essential and that providing funding for it is in the annual budget. Access to quality child care improves employee productivity when parent know their child(ren) are well cared for. Child care workers need to be paid a living wage and have benefits. This is possible, we just need to make it a reality.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Providing Public Education with the funding that is needed to provide a quality education for all children. Public dollars belong in public schools. Providing public found to entities that are not monitored like public schools is unacceptable. Public dollars are going to entities and individuals without oversight and standards, we have a disaster waiting to happen. We are seeing this already around the state. We do not have a system of checks and balances in place. Public education is being hamstringed by Legislative overreach. We must do better.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my mom. My mom was our town recorder for many years until she died in office. I saw what public service looked like by seeing how our local Council could make a difference in the lives of residents by providing access to public water, waste water treatment services and an amazing community park. It's important to be present and take into consideration the needs of your community before implementing policies or programs. Decisions made today may result in unintended consequences if not fully thought out.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

It's a Wonderful Life. It's a classic film about George Baily seeing how his being in Bedford Falls made a difference in the lives of the residents. My political philosophy is making a positive difference in the community by making our community more resilient. Working together makes a community stronger, by having a shared purpose. I am a "Big Tent" person, not a small tent with a smaller door to limit participation. We come from diverse backgrounds and we need to hear people's concerns.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm a people person, a good listener, and I like to find solutions for problems. I seek the advice and insights of others when I do not have information on a given subject. I'm accessible and I follow-up when I am contacted. I believe in collaboration. I'm a hard worker and a results oriented leader.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Being accountable to the public. Being a public servant is just that. We are here to serve the public, not serve special interests. State officials need to visit local officials to see and hear first hand what is needed in a given area, not tell the local officials here is what you are expected to do now. Elected officials need to know that the process of governing is not a one size fits all model.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The 3 Mile Island nuclear melt down and the sense of panic that it created. I was 17 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a dishwasher at the KacKaPon Restaurant. I held it for a year before becoming a waitress there. Working in a restaurant helped me to develop my my communication skills and understand the importance of being a team player. Timing and exemplary customer service made a difference in how the staff worked together. I worked at the KacKaPon until I graduated from high school.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Don Quixote. Much like Don, I joust at windmills.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I am not.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

WV Can't Wait

Planned Parenthood

What committees interest you?

I am interested in committees that I have a background in and a passion for. My career in public education lends itself to the Education committee, School Choice committee, and Health & Human Services committee. My experience in local government has lead me to learn about how government is funded and how those funds can help our communities. I believe my experiences would be well suited for the Transportation & Infrastructure committee and the Finance committee.