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PARKERSBURG -- The first meeting for Parkersburg City Council's newest member will be the legislative body's last of 2023.
Dr. Cathy Dailey will take the oath of office prior to the 7:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting. She was appointed to the District 9 seat Wednesday by Mayor Tom Joyce.
"I'm excited," Dailey said Thursday of the prospect of serving in public office for the first time. "I thought, what a great opportunity to pivot and have a new challenge ... and really be a benefit to others."
Dailey said she grew up in Vienna and Parkersburg and returned to Parkersburg 21 years ago to raise her daughter here. She's worked as a pediatrician for about 30 years and now serves as a medical director.
When she learned former Councilman Ray Eubanks was stepping down, Dailey decided to submit her name to finish out the term since she now has some extra time.
"This was an opportunity to be engaged and do my civic duty," she said.
Dailey said she comes in with no agenda and wants to "be an active listener to see how I can improve" the community.
Council President Sharon Kuhl spoke to Dailey Thursday morning.
"She is going to be an asset to City Council," Kuhl said. "She is intelligent; she cares about her community; she obviously cares about children."
There is a little over a year remaining in the council term, with all nine seats on the ballot in 2024. Dailey said she has not made a decision yet on whether to run for a full term, wanting to attend some meetings and get a feeling from the district residents first.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.