The Times West Virginian

Local News

January 12, 2009

Fairmont council set to elect new mayor

District 1 seat will be filled

By Mallory Panuska

FAIRMONT — At the start of the Fairmont City Council’s first meeting of the new year, the first order of business will be the election of a new mayor and deputy mayor.

Every two years, an organizational meeting is held to elect reps to these positions by way of majority vote of seated council members.

And with one council member not seated yet and both the former mayor and deputy mayor no longer on council, the election process during this year’s organizational meeting will be a little more unique than it has been in the past.

Under the Fairmont City Council’s Rules of Order and Procedure, the city clerk, who is currently Janet Keller, will preside over the meeting until a mayor is chosen in this situation.

Keller actually ran the organizational meeting two years ago after the election of six new council members, four of whom are still on council and serve as the most veteran members.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Keller will first call the meeting to order and submit the oath of office for the two newly elected council members. These members are Dan Weber in District 6 and Rob Garcia in District 7.

Roll call will then be taken for all of the present council members, which can only equal eight with John Dahlia’s District 1 seat to be filled after the regular meeting starts.

Keller will then call for nominations for the office of mayor from among the eight seated members, with no limit to how many members can be nominated and no second motions necessary. After all of the nominations are received by Keller, a council member will make a motion to close the nomination, which must be seconded and voted on.

Then Keller will start calling roll on each nominee in the order they were received and the first council member to receive a five-vote majority will be elected and sworn in as mayor. If none of the nominees receive a majority of votes at the end of the list, the process will be repeated for each nominee until someone receives five votes.

The new mayor will then repeat the same process for the deputy mayor and once the deputy mayor is chosen, the regular meeting will officially begin with the new mayor presiding.

The eight council members involved in the process will be Bob Sapp, Debbie Seifrit, Bill Burdick, Chuck Warner, Weber, Garcia, Robin Smith and Matt Delligatti.

Seifrit, Warner, Smith and Delligatti are the most veteran members, having served on council for the past two years. Burdick has served for more than a year, and Sapp was elected just this past summer.

Keller has said that city code does not require council members to be seated for any length of time before they can be elected to serve as mayor or deputy mayor.

As one of the first orders of business at Tuesday’s regular meeting, council members will choose a new representative to replace Dahlia, who resigned Dec. 16, making the deadline to find a replacement Jan. 15 before a special election was required. Council will be holding a work session at 5 p.m. before the organizational meeting to interview the six applicants who filed for the position before they make a decision.

The applicants are: Chris Smith, 802 Market St.; John M. Criado, 815 Broadway Ave.; Robert “Bob” Gribben, 326 Cole St.; Michael Foy, 344 Lincoln St.; George Crosby, 1101 Morgantown Ave.; and Marcella Yaremchuk, 506 Pittsburgh Ave.

E-mail Mallory Panuska at mpanuska@timeswv.com.

Text Only
Local News
  • Therepy Dog -ts.jpg A brighter day

    Sitting on a pink polka blanket with pink bows tied around her ears, Pebbles the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel brightens up the day of a patient at the Arbors at Fairmont nursing home.
    “I always had a dog,” said Max — who preferred that his last name not be used — to Pebbles’ human, Sharon Spevock.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • ‘New heights’ NASA’s mission

    The NASA Independent Verification & Validation Facility in Fairmont has accomplished a lot over the years, but also has a long way to go, said Gregory Blaney.
    Partnerships will allow the agency to continue to move forward.

    February 9, 2012

  • Man indicted on 14 counts of sexual abuse

    A Mannington man has been indicted by the Marion County grand jury on 14 counts of sexual abuse.
    James Edward Carpenter, 34, of 100 Parkview Drive, Apt. 101, Mannington, is charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse and 10 counts of sexual abuse by parent, guardian or custodian.

    February 9, 2012

  • BB&T to remain a part of Farmington community

    Thanks to community members who made their voices heard, the BB&T branch in Farmington is staying open for business.
    The office was full of excitement and hugs Wednesday as employees and community members celebrated the news that this location will continue to service clients.

    February 9, 2012

  • Expanded airport hangar space sought

    Benedum Airport Authority members representing Marion and Harrison counties met Wednesday at the North Central West Virginia Airport for their monthly meeting to discuss plans to build and expand hangar availability.

    February 9, 2012

  • FSHS student works to start scholarship fund

    A bright smile on Kelly Horton’s face could have fooled anyone on Wednesday morning.
    In front of the Marion County Commission, the Fairmont Senior High School junior kept a strong composure as she explained why she needed help with her senior project.

    February 9, 2012

  • Marion co 911--DS.jpg It’s an emergency

    A Dalmatian was on a mission. And he was in a hurry.
    In a fire truck, the Dalmatian, Patches, rushed into Monongah Elementary on Tuesday morning while students looked on in amusement.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • MCVB and MCPARC OPENING -TS.jpg CVB, MCPARC moving to new homes

    The Convention & Visitors Bureau of Marion County and the Marion County Parks and Recreation Commission are excited to have a new place to call home.
    On Monday, both organizations began simultaneously moving into their new offices in the visitor center building directly off Interstate 79 Exit 136 at 1000 Cole St., Pleasant Valley.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Ministers Run still looking for local control

    Following two meetings in different locations Tuesday, the Ministers Run Water Association is still looking for a way to keep its utility in local hands.
    Last week, the state Public Service Commission held a hearing in Grant Town.

    February 8, 2012

  • Man indicted for forgery, uttering, other crimes

    A Fairmont man charged with forgery, uttering and other crimes is one of 23 people named in indictments handed down by the Marion County Grand Jury in its second day of deliberations Tuesday.
    Jeremy Nathan Ferraro, 31, Fairmont, was indicted on forgery; uttering; obtaining money, property or services by false pretenses; and domestic battery, third offense.

    February 8, 2012