Newell ads ask for support of positive candidates

By JODY MURPHY, jmurphy@newsandsentinel.com
PARKERSBURG —Mayor Bob Newell is running newspaper and radio spots advising voters to elect Parkersburg City Council members or candidates that support the city’s “economic blueprint.”

Newell’s ads are asking voters to support those who have pledged positive support and “not the negative politics of the past.” The ads don’t specifically endorse any candidate or candidates.

“Hopefully (voters) will give me a council that will further the economic progress we have been making,” Newell said.

While the step may be unusual — a sitting mayor up for re-election endorsing candidates in line with the city’s plan for development — Newell said he’s trying to ensure he has a good council.

“I don’t want to end up with a non-cooperative council,” he said. “A mayor is dead without a good council.”

Newell insists he’s not looking for a group of yes men. He acknowledged he’s been on opposite sides of the the fence with every member of council at least once in the last year.

“Every council person at some point in time has voted against something I have brought forward. That is not the issue at all,” Newell said.

Dorsey Cheuvront, who has served on council for more than 30 years, said the mayor has had it good.

“I’d say he’s gotten about everything he wanted.”

Newell’s ad touts the Blue Cross Blue Shield project, the Riverfront Park, the Farmer’s Market, the Blizzard Drive housing project, the expansion of Public Debt and the pursuit of an armory/event center. But Cheuvront said Newell’s request to voters is almost stating the obvious.

“It would be silly not to want the city to develop,” he said.

“I would think you would want council people that would stand up and do what’s right. As long as I’m on council if I think something is wrong I’m going to speak up,” Cheuvront said.

Cheuvront’s primary opponent, Sharon Lynch, echoed Newell’s idea.

“If a person is going to run for city council they should be looking ahead. The council and the mayor need to work together to bring about success for the city,” she said.

District 5 incumbent councilwoman Sharyn Tallman, who first heard the ads on the radio, said she agreed with Newell.

“Although he’s not naming any particular council people, I agree if we want to stay progressive we have to look at the work we have set in. ... By him asking people to support an ongoing process and people who have that train of thought I don’t think that is offensive.”

Tallman’s opponent, Joe Backus, also said he had no problem with the ad.

“I have no problem with him supporting those kind of candidates, because that is what I want to see done, specifically downtown. I don’t think he’s too crazy about me because I have been critical of him in the past,” Backus said.