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BELPRE -- In the Belpre municipal election, several offices are on the ballot for the Nov. 7 general election.
For Belpre City Council, two races are unopposed, as are two city offices.
In the Third Ward, incumbent council member Lyndsay Dennis is running unopposed for another term. In the Fourth Ward, John Ambrozy is running unopposed after defeating incumbent Steve Null in the primary.
The other unopposed offices are Larry Martin for Council President and Thomas Webster for Law Director.
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In the First Ward, write-in candidate Alexandra Lowe and former council member William Locke are running for the open seat.
No party affiliation was listed for Lowe by the Washington County Board of Elections. She did not reply to a questionnaire regarding this race in time for inclusion in this article.
Locke, 71, is a Republican and retired teamster. He previously represented the First Ward on council in 2020-2021.
As a lifelong Belpre resident, his wife, Karen, and he have attended city council meetings for over 20 years. Locke believes he has a good idea and grasp on the challenges before the city.
"My previous time as councilman offers experience. Plus the time I have spent spectating allows me the opportunity to build on those experiences," he said. "I try to work on whatever weaknesses I may see in myself. I have over the years kept my knowledge of IT updated."
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In the Second Ward, both candidates, Richard Seebaugh and Erica Campbell, are write-ins.
Seebaugh, 42, is a Republican. He works for the Campbell's soup company as a market sales leader and has never held a public office. Seebaugh said he decided to run because his ward was in need of representation and he felt the time was right.
"I don't really have specific plans going into office but my main goal is to better the city of Belpre for the next generation. Our kids are our future and I think we need to give them a better city than it was before in regards to both prosperity and community projects. I want to be apart of a council that has the best interest of the city in the forefront of their thinking," he said.
In regards to strengths and weaknesses, Seebaugh said the current council is doing some good work and that needs to be continued. He thinks he can bring some additional insights and ideas from his past work with other organizations.
Campbell, 44, is a Republican but registered as non-partisan for this election. She works for Community Bank, as a credit card compliance specialist, and helps with bookkeeping with the family business, Parkersburg Jiu Jitsu.
She has not previously held public office. Campbell said she is running to learn more about the community and to be a voice for the people within her ward. Her goal is to help the local community understand the role the government has to grow economically and agriculturally while maintaining the values that Belpre has had for decades.
"If elected I want to continue the beautification project and also make sure our voice is heard when it comes to issues with our roads, upcoming levy renewals, and the safety of the community we live in. My husband is an officer for our city and our family is so proud of the Belpre Police Department," she said.
Campbell believes Belpre's main strength is that it is a small community and needs to work on getting the younger generation more involved in government roles, voting and attending city council meetings. By doing this, their voice can be heard and everyone can work together to continue the success of being a safe place to live and be proud to call Belpre home, she said.
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In the At Large races, four candidates are running for three open seats, including incumbent council member David Ferguson, former council member Penne Riffle, outgoing mayor Michael Lorentz and newcomer Nathaniel Godfrey.
Ferguson, 71, is a Republican seeking re-election as an At-Large member of council. Ferguson said he is uniquely qualified with 25 years of collective experience.
"As the current finance chairman, I have a keen understanding of past, and present expenses/expenditures in the day to day operations of Belpre. This knowledge provides me the opportunity as a council person to legislate, and appropriate monies unique to local governments," he said.
Serving as the Safety Service Director of Belpre for seven years allowed him "the privilege of assisting five departments organize goals, supporting the efficiency of each department. I also serve as a reserve police officer for Belpre, which gives me additional understanding of the safety concerns for our citizens, and officers," he said.
He also owns a nationally certified canine, assisting local, state, and federal officials to locate the lost, missing, and displaced. He is retired from Shell Chemical Co. and Kraton Chemical serving as the Fire Chief for the health, safety, and environmental department.
Lorentz said he has served the Belpre community for over 30 years in one elected capacity or another.
"Even though I am retiring as mayor I would like to stay active in some small role. The contacts I have made over the years will be an asset to my replacement," he said.
Lorentz said the council's main job is to legislate and appropriate monies from the city and to support the mayor and citizens.
"In my heart I believe if we cooperate and work together, there is nothing we could not accomplish. The infrastructure needs will be a key issue in the next few years," he said.
Riffle, 53, is a Republican, and is retired from the U.S. Air Force. She is a shuttle driver with WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center. She previously served as the Fourth Ward council member from 2018-2022.
Riffle said she chose not to run for a third term two years ago due to family health concerns but now feels ready to once again represent the city of Belpre on council.
"I am proud to be from Belpre and I believe Belpre has so much to offer. Belpre has many opportunities to grow and develop and I would like to help that in any way I can. I am once again able to focus on the responsibilities required for City Council, and believe my previous experience makes an At-Large seat a better fit for my family and me."
Riffle said she would like to see more economic development and more public involvement in the city. She would also like to see more housing available and affordable for families to move into Belpre, along with seeing potential and underutilized business properties occupied, providing employment, wares and services for the residents of Belpre. Dilapidated and rundown properties should be restored or razed to provide a cleaner, more inviting Belpre, she said.
Riffle also believes improved communication is needed within city government and with citizens. She is also concerned that the new administration and council work more cohesively together, something she doesn't always happens now.
" I want to be a part of the new Council, working with the new Mayor to propel Belpre forward. As many positions will have new faces, this is an amazing opportunity for a cohesive and successful city government, with which I would be proud to be associated," she said.
Godfrey, 24, is a Republican who has not held public office. He works as an IT specialist.
"I decided to run for city council because I'm ready for change and the way I was raised is when you're passionate about something and you know deep down that it needs fixed you can't wait for people around you to do it, you have to stand up and fix it yourself," he said.
"I plan on leading the charge with whoever what's to stand with me in bettering this wonderful city we call home. I pledge to always do right by the city of Belpre and work with anyone that wants what's best for Belpre. I plan on looking into the infrastructure in Belpre whether it be sewage lines, water lines, gas lines, streets, side walks, and the list goes on," he said.
Godfrey believes Belpre's main strengths are the hospitals, river, and the people living here. Those are what he wants to build off of for the future.
"While we build up those strengths we will also build on our weakness which are infrastructure and activities for both the youth and elderly," he said.
Wayne Towner can be reached at wtowner@newsandsentinel.com