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EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fifth in a series of stories previewing contested races for Parkersburg City Council seats. Additional articles will appear in upcoming editions, with multiple previews for Wood County and other elected offices slated to run in a special section on April 24.
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PARKERSBURG -- Although one is an incumbent, both candidates for the Republican nomination for Parkersburg City Council's District 9 seat are making their first run for the office.
Dr. Cathy Dailey was appointed to the seat by Mayor Tom Joyce in December, following the resignation of Ray Eubanks.
Eubanks was also appointed to the seat by Joyce in July 2022 after Austin Richards, who was elected to the seat in 2020, moved out of the district.
After getting a taste of municipal government, Dailey said she'd like to serve in the role for a full four-year term.
"I have really enjoyed it. It's been eye-opening to see how the city runs," she said.
Dailey said she brings active listening and a "common-sense brain" to the role, skills she's honed over decades as a physician.
"I've spent my life open-minded, listening to patients and families for over 30 years," she said.
Priorities for Dailey on council include having streets in good condition, storm sewers functioning and water of good quality, in addition to supporting police, firefighters and all city workers.
"We do have some of the best city workers that I've ever seen," said Dailey, noting she lived in multiple cities before returning to Parkersburg 21 years ago.
She said she hopes people continue to share their opinions at council meetings.
"I feel like we have a nice, open forum for the public to come and speak," she said. "They are heard."
Alisa Prince moved back to Parkersburg two-and-a-half years ago after living throughout the Midwest while working for big box retailers.
"I left because ... job opportunities were difficult," she said. "I moved back because I wanted to spend time with friends and family."
Now Prince - who will appear on the ballot with just her first initial since her name is so often spelled or pronounced wrong - said she wants to make a difference in her community.
Prince said property taxes are much lower here than in other places she's lived, making the prospect of fixing up houses appealing. But that's just one tactic to address the city's shortage of affordable housing.
"Not everybody's going to want to rehab a house," she said.
Prince regularly attends council and Urban Renewal Authority meetings. One of the first things she spoke about in the public forum was making information on the city's website more clear and accessible, something she said has improved "drastically."
Her past work experience includes customer service, hiring, training and reporting to others, skills she believes will translate well to council. Members have to work together to be successful, she said.
"The responsibility is all of us," Prince said. "It's not just certain areas - it's Parkersburg."
Dailey or Prince will face former Councilman Jeff Fox in the general election. Fox is unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com
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Parkersburg City Council District 9 Republican Primary
Cathy Dailey
* Age: 60
* Address: 55 Meadowcrest Drive
* Occupation: physician
* Past offices: appointed to seat in December, first run
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Alisa Prince
* Age: 66
* Address: 3208 Elm St.
* Occupation: business owner, rental property
* Past offices: first run