Parkersburg City Council makes appointments
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PARKERSBURG -- Parkersburg City Council appointed six new positions for the 2021 calendar year, naming council members Zach Stanley as council president and Sharon Kuhl as vice president, along with four other positions.
During Tuesday's meeting, Stanley and Kuhl won in unanimous decisions, abstaining when voting for their positions occurred. Stanley was unopposed, while Kuhl faced fellow council member Mike Reynolds.
Council members also confirmed Blaine Myers as City Attorney, Debra Steed for Municipal Judge, Rickie Yeager for Development Director and Sondra Wallace for Personnel Director.
Myers will be replacing former city attorney Joe Santer and is currently Williamstown's city attorney, a position he's held since 1998. Myers previously served as Parkersburg's city attorney in the 1980s and 1990s.
When asked by Council Member J.R. Carpenter about how long he would stay at Williamstown, Myers said he would only stay at his current position for a short time until his role is filled.
"What I told Williamstown is if confirmed here, I will not remain in that position. I've been there 22 years, great people to work with there. I'm not going to leave them that way," Myers said.
Mayor Tom Joyce said Myers is the best candidate and his previous experience will be helpful to council.
"I think we got a great city attorney in Blaine Meyers and the two department heads that were confirmed tonight. They have done a great job for the last four years. I think that this council, for the most part, recognizes that and that's why they overwhelmingly supported and confirmed them. Just looking forward to working hard for the next four years." Joyce said.
Council members voted unanimously for Myers, Steed, and Wallace, but voted in a 5-2 decision for Yeager.
This will be the second term Steed, Yeager, and Wallace will serve in those positions.
"I've been honored and privileged to work with them for the last four years. I'm looking forward to another four years. We have a great team here. We all work well together and serve the same purpose," Wallace said.
"It's been an honor to serve the city for the past four years and I was glad to see that the mayor and council confirmed me as the development director for the city. I very much appreciate the opportunity to serve the residents of Parkersburg," Yeager said.
"I'm happy to be nominated again and approved by council and I enjoy the job to continue serving Parkersburg," Steed said.
Council will still have two regular meetings this month, slated for Jan. 12 and 26.