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Vienna has 14 candidates for five seats

VIENNA — Three incumbents and 11 newcomers will be vying for five seats on the Vienna City Council on Nov. 8.

Incumbents Bruce Rogers, Roger Bibbee and Jim Miracle will be joined by candidates Roger Conley, Jon Cain, Gail Gaines, Rod Shuman, Larry Godfrey, Brian Rader, Mike Elam, Harry Helmick, Norman Harris, Victoria Sopranik and Jim Leach.

Two current members will be leaving the council and the end of the year. Tom Azinger gave up his seat to run for mayor and Steve Stephens is running for Sheriff of Wood County.

Voters should note that the late Rick Phillips’ name will be on the ballot. If he were to be elected, a vacancy would exist and the new city council would name a replacement after taking office in January 2017.

Miracle has lived in Vienna for the past 18 years. He is a retired U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman and Substitute Teacher in the Wood County School System. Miracle is employed by the Parkersburg and Wood County Public Library.

“I have been the Chairman of the Wood County Historic Landmarks Commission since 2001 and President of the West Augusta (Wood County, West Virginia) Historical And Genealogical Society since 1997,” he said.

Miracle said his work with the tree commission has resulted in a dramatic reduction in utility failures due to trees downed during storms. He has also helped getting some youth on the road to their Eagle Scout Badge.

“With my work on the utility board, we work on city infrastructure with the refurbishment of existing water towers, the demolition and replacement of our older one that should keep the city’s water supply in excellent shape for the next 30 years,” he said.

He was appointed to serves as liaison for city beautification and serves on the Vienna Planning Commission and serves as Vice-Chairman of the Vienna Utility Board.

“I hope the citizens of Vienna would like to have me back to work for them for another term and would appreciate their support in my efforts,” he said.

Bibbee is a lifelong Vienna resident. He served in the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, retiring as Deputy Fire Chief in 2002 with 27 years of service. He is a graduate of Parkersburg High School, attended Parkersburg Community College, and the West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Science Government Leadership Academy.

Bibbee is a member of Fellowship Baptist Church, and a member of the National Fire Academy Alumni Association. He has worked in the area of public safety and emergency services for 40 years.

“I currently serve as the council liaison to the Vienna Fire Department, a position I have held for several years. I have a special interest in keeping our citizens safe,” he said. “The City of Vienna must provide the best equipment and training possible to our firefighters and police officers in order to only to keep them safe while doing their jobs but provide the best protection possible to the citizens of Vienna.”

Bibbee said there are some exciting as well as some challenging projects in the works and he would like to continue to serve on council to see these projects through.

“Spencer’s Landing, formerly Johns Manville, is one we must complete,” he said. “I would like to be involved in the completion of this endeavor to where it will be something our friends and neighbors will be satisfied with and proud to have.”

Bibbee said the biggest issue is C-8 in the water supply.

“The city is now faced with the issue of C-8 in our water,” he said. “As a sitting council member from the onset of this problem, I believe it is important that existing council members follow through on this problem as well,” he said. “We must remain transparent and continue with an aggressive plan to mitigate this very critical situation and provide for the safest water we can provide.”

Bibbee said one effort he has worked with involves street improvements.

“Some important accomplishments I have been involved in as a council member are the continuing effort in our streets. Millions of dollars over the last few years have been designated for street repairs, curbing and drainage,” he said. “Other accomplishments are the upgrade to our facilities to include the city building, fire department, police department, public works, and parks. All of these will enhance our service to the citizens of Vienna.”

Rogers was born in Parkersburg and graduated from Parkersburg High School, followed by Marshall University with a B.A. in secondary education and West Virginia University with a M.S in education administration. He taught at Jackson Junior High for 29 years and served in the U.S. Air Force.

As a council  member he works with Vienna Recreation, Vienna Parks, Vienna Senior Center and the Vienna Utility Board.

“My number one goal is to see the Manville property cleaned up and sell the plant property to businesses to move there and bring jobs and a better economy to our community,” he said. “The city has had to deal with a flat budget for several years. It is difficult for our employees and department heads to plan for improvements if we continue to cut their budget requests each year.”

Rogers said he would like to see Vienna to remain a great safe place to live in, bring up children and to retire.

Conley is the owner and operator of Conley Fabrication LLC, employing an average of 15-20 people and has experienced a 25 percent annual sales growth rate since starting the business in 2010. Conley said his experience in various fields would make him an effective council member.

“Having been in upper management position for several decades, as well as a small business owner for several years, being a developer and someone that has worked extensively with economic development and is a proven creator of jobs, gives me the experience needed to be an effective member of your city council and will be very helpful in the cleanup and development of the Johns Manville property,” he said.

“I have personally worked with most of our government officials including the governor, our state and U.S. Senators, our U.S. Representative and most of the local elected officials.”

During this campaign Conley said he walked a lot of miles and knocked on a lot of doors and talked to a many people.

“This will not be just an election year process for me, but my normal procedure while I am in office,” he said. “Don’t be surprised if I come up to you and ask what we can do to better serve you. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can improve? Now I am not naive enough to believe I can solve all our problems, but I promise this, you will have a voice in council chambers and no one will work harder for you.”

Shuman was born and raised in Vienna and graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1978. He served as a Wood County Deputy Sheriff  for more than six years and was a City of Vienna police officer for more than 24 years. Shuman was a detective for both agencies during most of his career. He retired from law enforcement in 2014.

Shuman is currently the president of Vienna Recreation and has been a VRIA Board member for the last 30 years. Shuman said he believes changes are needed.

“I would like to clean up the codified ordinances of the city and remove or update some of the antiquated laws still on our books,” he said. “There are many projects within Vienna that need to be made more open to the public.”

Shuman says council meetings are usually very short and provide little information to those attending.

“Council is provided information prior to meetings on multiple issues and there is usually little or no discussion at meetings with a vote following,” he said. “I realize this helps move meetings along but it leaves the public uninformed and is likely why few attend meetings.”

Harris has been a resident of Vienna since 1990. A graduate of Williamstown High School he has been employed as the director of parks and recreation and has been a department head for more than 20 years for the city of Vienna.

“I have gained considerable knowledge of the working operations of the city in my employment,” he said. “I feel the infrastructure needs of Vienna are being addressed, but more attention of the water, sewer, and storm water lines need to be addressed.”

Harris said he would like to review and implement reduced taxes or reduced fees to the citizens and implement all infrastructure repair on a yearly basis.

“I bring to the city a proven record of improvement, as I have done with the parks and recreation for the city for the past 20 years. Managing budgets to get the most out of the money to give back to the citizens,” he said.

Gaines is a life-long resident of Vienna and has a background in finance, real estate, insurance and appraising. Gaines said the reason she is running is she loves the city and wants to be part of what is happening there.

“Now that I am retired, I have time to pursue things that interest me and I feel this is the direction I am being led,” she said. “Vienna has grown from a small community to a beautiful city but has been able to retain its best qualities.”

Gaines said she wants to work to keep Vienna below the crime rate seen in other cities.

“We must have good leadership to support our law enforcement to continue to keep our city one of the most desirable places to live,” she said. “Vienna is doing great things and my interest in running for office is simply that I would like to be a part of what makes this city great.”

Helmick has lived in Vienna for more than 40 years. Four years ago he retired from the insurance industry. Helmick said working with large sums of money and budgets is where he has experience and would be valuable as a city council member.

“I’ve been making sensible decisions for the future of my clients, as I will for the residents of Vienna,” he said. “During these years I held numerous management positions and for 15 years I owned and operated Helmick Insurance Agency.”

If elected, Helmick said he wants to hear from the residents and push for what is best for all.

“I want to have more debate and public hearings so our community feels we are being responsible with their tax dollars,” he said.

Helmick said he would be effective on council since he worked in the private sector for 50 years and has managed large budgets. He said he knows how to work with colleagues and neighbors.

Godfrey has lived in Wood County for 54 years and 12 years in Vienna. He retired from DuPont with 35 years service and in 1966 he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves. Godfrey has completed several training programs and seminars on local government and effectiveness. He is a member of the North Parkersburg Kiwanis Club, Mt. Olivet and Scottish Rite Bodies.

Godfrey said he is running because he is committed to serving citizens and employees of Vienna.

“I will be available for you at any time to discuss your problems and concerns,” he said.

Godfrey said serving on the Vienna City Council will not be his first elected potions. He was a member of Parkersburg City Council for eight years and served four years on the Wood County Board of Education.

“I am dedicated, qualified, experienced and committed to serve the citizens of Vienna,” he said.

The following candidates did not respond to a requests from The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, but did respond to a survey from the League of Womens Voters. Their responses are summarized below.

Cain was born and raised in Wood County and is a graduate of Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg Community College and West Virginia State University. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and U.S. Navy Reserves. He is a Certified Public Accountant, serving as the vice president of the West Virginia Board of Accountancy and a Real Estate Developer at CM Properties.

Cain said he wants to bring transparency to city government.

“All transactions and decisions have to be exposed to the general public and the public needs to be able to comment on these items,” he said.

Cain said he would bring more than 30 years of experience as a practicing CPA.

“I have worked with clients from small business to multi-state corporations,” he said. “As real estate developer I have managed multi million dollar construction projects. This base of knowledge will allow me to bring a fresh look at our government.”

Leach is a Wood County native with 20 years legal experience, earned a master’s degree in energy law from WVU in 2015, is CEO of Business Systems, a 50-year-old Vienna business, and is a general/electrical contractor developing real estate in Vienna. He said his family has created jobs in Vienna for 30 years.

Leach said his degree and experience and energy would be an asset.

“My passion, however, is Johns Manville. With a Masters in Law in environmental and hazardous waste law, I understand contaminated property,” he said. “I also own the Texaco tank farm and the Brockway Glass plant. I have experience with those sites. With this education and experience, I can help our leaders remediate Manville for our city.”

Leach said he can work with the other council members.

“In my view, effective action comes from teamwork. I coached Vienna sports for almost 15 years, where I learned that teamwork builds synergy, a powerful force for achievement beyond what any individual can do alone,” he said. “I also like to analyze issues before deciding upon a course of action, but then focus intensely on the desired result until it is accomplished.”

Rader is a lifelong resident of Vienna and has worked for the Wood County Sheriff’s Department for the last 18 years and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is also a local business owner. Rader said he would work to make sure citizens and employees will be served with a balanced budget.

“I want to see Vienna develop and have an activity center for our young and seniors, and improve on our parks,” he said. “I want to work towards seeing more businesses make our city their home.”

Rader said he has seen the city grow and prosper over the years.

“I am a local business owner so I know how to stay within my means,” he said. “As a Vienna resident and being employed by the Sheriff’s Office Confinement Operations I have developed a strong relationship with the employees, public works and public safety personnel.”

Sopranik is a graduate of West Virginia University and the WVU College of Law. In her legal career she worked for a large firm focused on commercial litigation and civil defense and now at a small firm assisting individuals.

“The skills I developed over my career give me a strong foundation to solve complex problems for the citizens of Vienna,” she said.

Sopranik said the city needs to create new investments and economic development projects.

“We need to reclaim and revitalize the Johns Manville property as well as other older properties to create new investment, create new economic development projects to create jobs, continue to improve our water resources to protect our citizens, improve the infrastructure of our schools and create a drug program to stop the epidemic of drug overdoses in our community,” she said.

As a council member Sopranik said being an avid reader of all genres has developed her ability to connect the big picture to individual’s needs.

“My past experience in the legal field has honed my attention to detail, organization skills and ability to execute tasks quickly and efficiently,” she said. “I would be honored to use these skills to help make Vienna the best city it can be.”

Elam is a lifelong resident of Vienna and is employed by Stonerise Healthcare as an administrator. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Marshall University.Elam attends North Parkersburg Baptist Church and is actively involved in Vienna Recreation.

Elam said he would like to see Vienna have an economic redevelopment,

“I’m concerned about so many empty buildings and closed businesses. I want to help revitalize our city,” he said. “I also want to make sure we are being proactive as a community in the dangerous drug movement coming into the Mid-Ohio Valley. It affects health, families, businesses, and public safety.”

Elam said he sees the council as the mayor’s top advisers.

“As a nursing home administrator I know how important it is to surround myself with good people. I believe as citizens we should surround our mayor with a council that will be wise, discerning, positive, and productive,” he said. “In life, I’m not a participant, I’m a competitor. I can bring that same focus to the responsibilities involving our city.”

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