×

Three vying for Wood County Commission

Editor’s Note: One of the candidates for Wood County Commission was omitted from the story in Sunday’s edition of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. The complete story follows.

PARKERSBURG — There are three candidates vying for the open seat on the Wood County Commission on Nov. 8.

Former Wood County Commissioner Rick Modesitt, a Republican, Parkersburg Mayor Jimmy Colombo, a Democrat, and Steve Smith, a Libertarian, are running for the seat currently occupied by Republican Steve Gainer who decided not to seek reelection.

It is not the first time two of the men have met on the political field as Colombo defeated Modesitt for his first term of mayor by less than 100 votes.

Colombo has been married 54 years to Sharon Mellinger Colombo. They have four Children and seven Grandchildren.

He is a graduate of Parkersburg Catholic High, West Virginia University-Parkersburg and has an honorary BA from WVU, and a BA from Marietta College. Colombo has been involved with Colombo’s Restaurant family business, the West Virginia Parole Board for six years upon appointment by former Gov. Joe Manchin, was elected mayor of Parkersburg in 1997 and was appointed to the current unexpired term in June 2015.

Question: How can the Wood County Commission assist to bring a major employer, whether it be a manufacturer or retail, to the county?

Answer: “The county commission works with the economic arm of West Virginia when a business, whether it be retail or manufacturer looks to locate within Wood County,” Colombo said.

“The City of Parkersburg completes forms for the companies looking to locate here. The companies are looking to see what we have to offer. We work with Belpre, with Washington County, Pleasants County,” said Colombo. “When Hino  came through to West Virginia, it was a total team effort. No one can be that shining star to bring something in by themselves. It takes a group effort, no matter what anyone says.”

Colombo said the City of Parkersburg has many things in place already for possible retailers or manufacturers. “The city has put in utilities, everyone needs utilities, and it is ready to show people what we can offer if Parkersburg, or something near Parkersburg, is a possible site.

“Even if Parkersburg is not the final spot chosen but something nearby is, we all win,” he said. “It’s been for the betterment of the area and it does benefit Parkersburg in the long run. “

Colombo added “Parkersburg has hosted numerous events for businesses looking to locate in the area. We have shown them what we have, what we can offer. We have a working base of people who can help meet the needs of that business if they would locate to Parkersburg. We want the city to be the reason they locate to Wood County. If we can’t be the location, hopefully we can be a reason they choose Wood County.”

Colombo said he has always had confidence that Parkersburg has good been for business. He said intends to treat a spot on the county commission as well. “If they are interested in putting in a location here, then we put everything on the plate, ‘here it is,’ as you might say. Hold nothing back. All in.”

Modesitt is a life long resident of Parkersburg and attended Parkersburg High School and West Virginia University-Parkersburg. He was a Parkersburg police officer 1975-1997 and chief of police 1994-1997.

He was twice elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates and twice served as acting mayor of Parkersburg. He was a county commissioner 2000-2010, a former chairman of the state Athletic Commission, is a licensed Realtor and is president  of Rick Modesitt & Associates.

Question: How can the Wood County Commission assist to bring a major employer, whether it be a manufacturer or retail, to the county?

Answer:  “As a former Commissioner, myself and my colleagues were a part of the recruitment team that brought Hino Motors to Williamstown.  At the time, much energy and governmental cooperation between Williamstown, the State of West  Virginia and  Wood County Government worked very closely together to achieve that milestone for the Mid Ohio Valley.” he said.

“There are many facets to the economic development,” he continued.  “It is ever changing and commissioners must be working on recruitment every day.  The Commissioners, along with other local elected officials need to be good salesmen for our county and local communities. As with Hino, we must be ready when opportunity strikes. What is good for any particular city in the county is a benefit to all of Wood County.”

Modesitt said “commissioners assist by utilizing TIF zone for new business attraction. As commissioner, it is important to maintain a close and trusting relationship with all of the local government officials;  as well as being supportive of efforts by the Wood County Development Authority and the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid Ohio Valley, with such things as area promotion, marketing, and site inventories.”

“As a community, we must try to market ourselves  as a good place  to live,” Modesitt said.  “They are generally wanting to locate to an area that has a good school system; has good parks and recreation, such a biking and walking trails; and cultural activities and the like. We must be prepared to market ourselves daily, due to the fact, many major corporations with have scouts checking out areas long before they make contact with local government officials, thus, we must always try to have our best foot forward.”

Smith has served as an associate professor of accounting in the Business, Accounting and Public Services Division of West Virginia University at Parkersburg for nine years. He holds a master’s of business administration degree from West Virginia University at Morgantown and a master’s of accountancy degree from Stetson University in Deland, Fla. Smith also holds a professional certification as a certified management accountant from the Institute of Management Accountants.

Smith said he is interested in working to keeping county government as small as possible by making it efficient and using tax dollars in the best way possible.

Question: How can the Wood County Commission assist to bring a major employer, whether it be a manufacturer or retail, to the county?

Answer: “I believe the best way to bring any business to Wood County is to have as efficient government as possible. We need to do the most with money we have,” he said.

Businesses will see that efficiency and will locate to an area as long as it meets the needs of the business, whether that is natural resources, transportation or other things, Smith said.

“We do have a lot to offer prospective businesses,” he said.

Part of government’s job is to make sure prospective businesses know what regulations they have to deal with and work with those businesses on meeting those requirements.

Smith said he supports the idea of forming tax increment financing districts, like one being proposed at Emerson Commons, to install needed infrastructure for future development. The money that would normally go towards taxes would be allocated to pay for important infrastructure which will help attract additional businesses in the future. The infrastructure is put in place and the government is not directly tasked with having to provide it.

“To me, that makes sense,” he said. “This way the county doesn’t have to front that money.”

Taxes and fees need to be tied directly to the services being provided, Smith said. He admits there are things, like parks, where that would be hard to gauge in which case a general tax is better at providing funding for. However, a fire fee is a good way of providing funding for a service being given.

As a business teacher, Smith teaches his students businesses should be working at continually improving themselves, regardless of how successful they are. He feels government should take the same kind of approach.

“Our county government has been well run, but they can always do better,” Smith said.

In talking with people, Smith said he wants people to “rethink government” where it too needs to work to constantly improve itself.

“All the ideas are not going to come from an elected official,” he said. “Anyone can come up with a good idea. It can be the person serving you pancakes, a student or anyone.

“The citizens have to be involved.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today