We’ve just added a new section to the Parkersburg City website…Employment Opportunities!  You can visit the page by clicking here.  As of right now, we have posted a position for Toll Collectors at the Memorial Bridge.  Be sure to check back soon as we will be adding more positions as they come available.

• District 1 Map – Nancy Wilcox
• District 2 Map – Sharon Lynch
• District 3 Map – D. Bradley Kimes
• District 4 Map – John R. Sandy
• District 5 Map – Sharyn Tallman
• District 6 Map – Mike Reynolds
• District 7 Map – Tom Joyce
• District 8 Map - John W. Rockhold III
• District 9 Map – W. James Reed
• All Districts Map

This is simply being done because I promised the citizens of Parkersburg that as the economy improved we would reduce or eliminate fees as we could and it’s the right thing to do.

During the economic downturn and with the loss of tax revenue from St. Joseph’s Hospital, City Council faced some very difficult decisions. This administration provided plenty of information and several options to Council members to make these decisions. This administration also made significant cuts to the city’s expenses, without cutting or reducing services to our citizens.

City Council adopted the Service User Fee.

When City Council adopts a resolution or ordinance, the administration is required to enforce the measure, and, ultimately, is held responsible by Council’s actions. We do this whether or not it’s popular, whether the vote is 9 to 0, 8 to 1, or even 5 to 4. We treat all legislation as if it were passed unanimously.

When City Council passes a user fee it becomes my user fee. When Council cut funding I put in the budget for the Humane Society, I backed Council and defended Council members very publicly. The cuts became my budget cuts. That’s what being a Mayor is.

However, when the user fee and other options were discussed by Council members in the very first committee meeting, I made it clear that I could only support city council on the measure if we would cut other city fees on our residents as the economy improves.

Previous to this meeting on March 25, 2010, I sent a memo to City Council President John Rockhold and City Council after several City Council members asked about options available for increasing revenue. This was even before the St. Joe Hospital issue. In that memo, I stated I was only favorable to any of these options if some money was used to offset other fees when money became available.

This year, I submitted a balanced budget to City Council that included many line items with no increases and many line items with decreases and, again, without cutting or reducing services. We continue to consolidate jobs.

This allowed us to eliminate the floodwall fee. I chose this fee because taxes and fees already paid by those in the flood zone, now pay for a storm water management system, which includes the floodwall. For them to pay additional is not fair.

This City Council, more than any before them, have earned the right to make changes in the budget. In this instance, City Council can still provide for the wage increase proposed and eliminate the Floodwall Fee.

Some people will try to paint a picture that the mayor and city council can’t work together. As stated earlier, we literally have agreed on 98% of all issues. However, in a Strong Mayor form of government the Mayor does not get to vote for or against any issue. Individual members of City Council can, and often do, vote against an issue based on their convictions.

A veto is the only method for a Mayor to have an official voice in legislation he or she opposes.

Robert D. Newell, Mayor
City of Parkersburg

There will also be an Easter Bonnett Judging beginning at 12:30 behind Parkersburg High School, so get out your favorite bonnett and participate!!