(Photo Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — District 2 Councilwoman Sharon Kuhl is being challenged in her bid for a third term by Sue Ellen Waybright.

Kuhl won the Republican nomination in the May primary over Michael Hess, while Waybright was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Kuhl said that over the last two terms the council and administration have moved the city forward.

“There are still items that we are working on, and I want to be a part of that, and I want to see the projects through,” she said.

Examples include the planned recreation center at the site of the longstanding pavilion in City Park, a third replacement fire station and efforts to improve the walkway around the pond and tennis courts in Southwood Park.

“Southwood being in my district, it’s a priority for me. But everything is a priority for me,” Kuhl said. “I will always work to do what is best for our city and the people that live in it.”

Kuhl described herself as an effective problem-solver who always returns phone calls and solves constituents’ problems.

“I do not lie to my constituents or anyone in this city,” she said. “If I cannot get something done … I will tell you and we’ll (go) another route.”

Kuhl said she works 40 to 50 hours a week as a councilwoman.

“Being a councilperson is not just sitting back and going to a meeting,” she said.

Waybright said that as she’s knocked on doors in her campaign, she said, people have told her they “want change.”

“They just want someone to listen to them. It may not be a problem the city could solve, but they want to feel heard,” Waybright said. “And we need to solve some of those problems.”

Waybright said she brings experience with accounting, business and nonprofits.

“Council covers such a wide variety of things; probably the most important is how the money should be spent,” she said. “I want to get really deep in the weeds and understand where the money is going … to see if it can be better spent.”

Waybright said council can help with issues like drugs, housing and homelessness but needs to work with nonprofit organizations to do so.

“The city can push out the funds, but the nonprofits are the ones with the boots on the ground,” she said.

Waybright said she’s worked in a variety of places and been a leader and a team member.

“You’ve just got to come together and work for common good, and I think I can help do that,” she said. “Building bridges has been my thing.”

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com

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District 2 Candidates

Sharon Kuhl

* Age: 67

* Address: 2624 Hugh St.

* Party: Republican

* Occupation: retired from the medical field

* Past offices: incumbent, two terms on council

Sue Ellen Waybright

* Age: 73

* Address: 2617 Division St. Ext.

* Party: Democrat

* Occupation: retired accountant

* Past offices: first run