PARKERSBURG - City Council President Tom Joyce said there will be no action taken on a request to look into a residency issue regarding city council member John Rockhold.
Rockhold's opponent in the upcoming District 8 city council election, Republican Jim Knapp, filed an appeal with council last week requesting an inquiry. Knapp questioned Rockhold's residency.
"At this time, no one has presented any evidence to show Rockhold has lived anywhere other than his Parkersburg residence," Joyce said. "Until someone can produce such evidence, city council will not take any action on these allegations."
Knapp said he was not surprised by the decision.
"It's about what I expected," he said.
Rockhold said there was no evidence, noting he's registered to vote in Parkersburg.
"I have the documentation," Rockhold said.
"I pay my taxes, personal and property, on 24th Street. I pay the city fees for 24th street. My mail is sent and received from 24th street," Rockhold said.
"Short of somebody sleeping with me, how else are you going to prove it," Rockhold added.
Council could have conducted an inquiry into the matter. Knapp admitted that would have been hard.
Knapp is hopeful voters will check on Rockhold's residency for themselves.
"Maybe they can check for themselves and make up their own mind," Knapp said.
