By Mallory Panuska
FAIRMONT — Three challengers and one incumbent will be vying to represent the 4th District in this year’s city council race.
Incumbent Bill Burdick, appointed to the late Phyllis Mills’ unexpired term last year, will be running against challengers Ronald Chaney, Anthony “Tony” Stingo, and Richard A. “Rick” Stutler.
There are a total of four openings this year in Districts 2, 4, 6, and 7 with only one race — District 6 — not featuring an incumbent.
The election will be held on Nov. 4 in conjunction with the general election, and there are 12 total candidates who filed for the open seats.
Earlier this month, all of the hopefuls were mailed a questionnaire with three questions to respond to. Their responses to these questions as well as a brief background about each candidate are being printed in daily stories for four days. This is the second story in that series.
District 4 is the entire Bellview area, including Pennsylvania Avenue, Jackson Addition, Ogden Avenue, Chicago Street and Washington Street.
The candidate who receives the highest number of votes from the 4th District next week will represent the district for the next four years.
Name: William “Bill” Burdick
Address: 305 Home Street
Background information: Fifteen-year resident of Fairmont. Married to wife Marjorie and has two children, Heather and Christopher. Works as assistant manager of Office Depot Inc. in Morgantown. Graduated from Ligonier Valley High School in Ligonier, Pa. Earned a bachelor of arts in political science from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio.
Clubs, groups, commissions or boards: Member of Main Street Fairmont Board of Directors, Marion County Senior Citizen Board of Directors, City Manager Search Committee, Marion County Chamber of Commerce, the Bellview Community Club, the Civil Air Patrol Clarksburg Composite Squadron of the Harrison/Marion Regional Airport, and member and trustee of the Highland Avenue United Methodist Church. Also serves as assistant coach of Fairmont Senior High boys lacrosse team, WVSSAC sight school soccer referee and FIFA soccer adult and youth referee.
Do you think the City of Fairmont should create a utilities board — which includes water, sewer and stormwater utilities — to eliminate the practice of robbing the general fund to support these utilities? The formation of a water utility board looks to be a promising idea. It would create a separate board while still being monitored by the city. The general fund could not be accessed by the water board and general funds would stay in the budget as per the council’s recommendations and approval during the yearly budget process. A water board does sound like a good project. This has been demonstrated by the success that Morgantown has had with MUB, the Morgantown Utility Board. However, this action can only take place after mediations from the water treatment vendors (GE and Chapman) and after the current water system is running at a balanced budget. Hopefully council can look into this matter in the upcoming year.
How can the city start a regular, well-funded street paving program? Something needs to be done with the lack of street paving within Fairmont. This problem is related to the current water issue. The $250,000 budgeted for street paving was redirected and budgeted to the water department. If there was no water issue, the City of Fairmont would be progressing on street paving. With the projected increased B&O; taxes from the armory project and other building developments, more funds will be available to resume street paving projects.
What kind of funding sources can the city tap to address the significant issue of dilapidated houses in Fairmont? The critical dilemma of abandoned buildings and houses in Fairmont is one of my top concerns. Within the 4th Council District there are over nine properties that are dangerous and need demolition. On the Miller School side of Pennsylvania Ave. there are additional nine and I am sure there are more throughout the city. On Sept. 7, 2008, I presented to or mailed a request for legislation to the Marion County Senators and Delegates. Briefly, it enables cities of any size within the state to collect $100 per property transfer. I have spoken to Senator Prezioso and Delegate Caputo about moving forward on this legislation. Locally, the board of directors from Main Street Fairmont has endorsed this proposal and has forwarded it to all the Main Street West Virginia groups. The City of Clarksburg took out additional long-term loans to start their cleanup and I am looking for an alternative to avoid adding more financial burden to our city. Aside from the dangers, elimination of these properties would improve the visual appearance of our city.
Name: Ronald Chaney
Address: 423 Garrett Ave.
Background information: Son of Leon and Viola Chaney and was born and raised in Fairmont. Attended Dunbar, Miller Jr. High and Fairmont Senior High School and is a lifelong resident of Fairmont. Married to Renee and have four children, Ronald Jr., Ashley, Ronaldo, and Merlin. Attended and graduated from heavy equipment school in San Marcus, Texas in 1964. Entered into the Army in 1965. Upon returning to Fairmont, became a coal miner working in the mines for 30 years before retiring. Also worked 2 1/2 years for the City of Fairmont Water Department.
Clubs, groups, commissions or boards: Serves as Deacon of the Morningstar Baptist Church. Also vice president of the Jackson Addition Improvement Association.
Do you think the City of Fairmont should create a utilities board — which includes water, sewer and stormwater utilities — to eliminate the practice of robbing the general fund to support these utilities? Yes, but not at this moment until we resolve the issue about the water.
How can the city start a regular, well-funded street paving program? Take money raised from funds collected when dilapidated properties are torn down and dedicate them to a street paving program.
What kind of funding sources can the city tap to address the significant issue of dilapidated houses in Fairmont? I believe all property owners should be given the opportunity to either fix up or tear down dilapidated houses. And if they can’t afford to do either then the city should tear them down and give them a certain time to repay the city back or the property should be auctioned off and all proceeds should go to the City of Fairmont to create funding for some projects, such as street paving.
Name: Anthony “Tony” Stingo
Address: 105 Highland Drive
Background information: Parents are Michael Stingo and Linda Longstreth of Fairmont and Marie and Mark Welch of Salem. Grandparents are Viola and the late Dominick “Thunder” Stingo of Fairmont and Roberta and the late Cecil Robinson of Salem. Spouse is Michelle (Morris) Stingo of Rivesville and has one five-year-old son, Dominick Joseph Stingo. Attended Fairmont Senior High School and is currently a junior in the education program at Fairmont State University. Worked for nine years in broadcasting and has spent the last four years as an enrichment instructor for the Mountaineer Boys and Girls Club.
Do you think the City of Fairmont should create a utilities board — which includes water, sewer and stormwater utilities — to eliminate the practice of robbing the general fund to support these utilities? As it stands I do not believe a utilities board is needed. As a member of the Fairmont City Council I would work with the entities already in place to make sure that these utilities are managed proficiently at the least possible cost.
How can the city start a regular, well-funded street paving program? We are in a tough place economically as a country. The vast majority of us are feeling the strain at home. That strain is not exclusive to our household budgets. Our city budget is feeling that same strain. I don’t think that a well-funded street paving program is too much to ask. I do, however, think it will take some careful prioritizing just like we have all had to do at home.
What kind of funding sources can the city tap to address the significant issue of dilapidated houses in Fairmont? This is an extremely sensitive issue. It is my opinion that in most cases it should be the responsibility of the property owner to keep their property presentable, and if occupied, livable. When you put an idea like this into action, it is important that you view each property on a case-by-case basis. The out-of-state slumlord who hasn’t laid eyes on his property in years and the elderly widow on a fixed income have drastically different circumstances. In cases where assistance is needed, ideally the first help would come from community action programs, but realistically the majority would have to be budgeted.
Name: Richard A. “Rick” Stutler
Address: 12 Spence St.
Background information: Son of William D. “Red” Stutler and the late Barbara J. Davis. Has a daughter, Tori, who’s 14 and lives in Pendleton County. Has one brother, William D. “Rusty” Stutler Jr. and one sister, Mary R. “Kathy” Deane and nine nieces and nephews. Attended State Street School, Watson Elementary, Miller Junior High School and is a 1977 graduate of Fairmont Senior High School. Attended Fairmont State College for two years. Formerly employed by Mr. Kleen Car Wash, Frey Funeral Home, Lampkin Funeral Home, Best Buy Used Cars, Red’s Diner, Rock n’ Horse Lounge and the Fairmont Times newsroom. Owner of Stutler Rentals, current security director at Woodlawn Cemetery on a volunteer basis. Retired in 1994 from being a parking attendant at Fairmont State due to multiple sclerosis. Currently attends the Tri-City Church of God and Baxter Church of God and is a former member of the Miracle Revival Center. Became a legally ordained minister in July 2008.
Clubs, groups, commissions or boards: Supporter of the Marion County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, member of the Marion County Police Reserves and the Christian Motorcyclist Association, and is a supporter of the F.O.P. and the I.A.F.F. Twenty-year participant of the Bikers Fight Against Muscular Dystrophy Poker Run in Monongah, member of the Harley Owners Group, Bikers Against Manslaughter and Goldwing Road Riders Association.
Do you think the City of Fairmont should create a utilities board — which includes water, sewer and stormwater utilities — to eliminate the practice of robbing the general fund to support these utilities? Yes, but let the citizens of Fairmont be approved to sit on it.
How can the city start a regular, well-funded street paving program? By using funds from street sweeping, rain water run-off fees, and parking meter fees. Do not charge to taxpayers.
What kind of funding sources can the city tap to address the significant issue of dilapidated houses in Fairmont? Fine the property owner $500 and give them 10 days to demolish building. If not done, charge them $20 a day each day after. After 30 days seize the property. Then let the fire department burn them down for fire safety training, saving demolition costs in turn selling property at auction or the F.C.D.P. to build new homes.
