Charleston, W.Va. (December 27, 2016) – The following statement was released today by Jessica Tice, communications director for Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin:

“The West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services has secured an agreement between the Appalachian Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and the Clay County Development Corporation (CCDC), through which the AAA will manage the CCDC on a daily basis for a term of six months beginning today.

“The agreement, which was approved by the CCDC board of directors this past Friday, includes oversight of work carried out by the CCDC as part of state contracts to provide essential services for senior citizens in Clay County. Robert Roswall, Commissioner of the Bureau of Senior Services, met with representatives of the AAA and CCDC today to ensure continuity of the state services provided as this transition takes place.

“This six-month time period will give the CCDC an opportunity to make any management or governance changes necessary to ensure the entity is in full contractual compliance with the state of West Virginia.

Following the state’s request for specific assurances that the CCDC is following anti-discrimination policies, we have been assured that Pamela Taylor has been removed from her position as CCDC director.”