New Era Begins For Wheeling
By CASEY JUNKINSArticle Photos
WHEELING - Outgoing Vice Mayor Mike Nau has a message for the new city council taking office July 1: Seize the moment before you.
"The past is full of memories, but the future is full of opportunities," he said during a Tuesday meeting that featured plenty of cookies and punch for those in attendance as part of a going-away party for Nau and other departing members.
The meeting was the last for Nau, Mayor Nick Sparachane and Councilmen Brent Bush and Barry Crow. They will be replaced by Mayor-elect Andy McKenzie, along with Councilmen-elect James Tiu, Don Atkinson and Eugene Fahey.
Returning Councilmen Vernon Seals and Robert "Herk" Henry, as well as Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge, will join the four new members to comprise the new council.
McKenzie has promised to make significant changes in the way Wheeling operates upon taking office, including a review of the city charter to give the mayor and council more authority to govern the city.
And with the $8 million Tax Increment Financing plan known as the Wheeling 2020 Plan, the possibilities of home rule and the city's mandatory two-man police cruiser ordinance waiting to be addressed, it looks like McKenzie and the other new council members will have their plates full upon taking office.
But the atmosphere of council chambers was lighthearted Tuesday, as outgoing members received plaques and roses while posing for pictures with friends and family.
Despite a spirited campaign between the two earlier this year, Bush allowed Tiu to sit beside him at the council table during the meeting so Tiu could familiarize himself with council's activities.
"I appreciate Mr. Bush allowing me to sit here and appreciate his efforts in the 4th Ward," Tiu said.
In presenting a plaque to honor Sparachane, Nau said the mayor has "kept council on task."
"Nick is a great leader. ... I hold him in very high regard," he said.
Sparachane thanked the city's administration for their service during his tenure that began in July 2000.
"We are so lucky to have such a great administration team here," he said in reference to City Manager Robert Herron, who was absent from the meeting, as well as Public Works Director Russell Jebbia, Solicitor Rosemary Humway-Warmuth, Economic and Community Development Director Nancy Prager, Police Chief Kevin Gessler and Fire Chief Larry Helms.
Sparachane also thanked his family for all their support.
"My wife, Patti, does a lot of volunteer work in the city that nobody knows about because of the kind of person she is," he said.
The outgoing mayor recalled being on the losing end of the first vote in which he participated as a member of council.
"Will Turani (former city manager) told me I needed to make a motion. I did, and the motion got beat 6-1, with me being the one," he joked.
In his farewell speech, Nau noted that "not many people get to do what we get to do."
"We are not politicians; we are public servants," he added.
Nau has served since the 1992 Charter Review and worked as city manager, assistant city manager and a development department employee in the years before his election.
Bush worked as an assistant city solicitor before serving on council from 1986-1996 and being elected to his current term in 2004. He wants to be remembered for the words "respect" and "hope."
"Our city employees deserve respect because there are not harder working people," he said.
Crow has served on City Council since 1999, when he completed the unexpired term of current Ohio County Commissioner Randy Wharton.
"It has been a privilege to serve with this group of individuals. A lot of great things have been accomplished during the time," he said.
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TheRealityPolice
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06-18-08 9:43 PM
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Maybe Nick is hoping Will T will get him a job at Orrick.
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popeye
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06-18-08 3:08 PM
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Looks like Nick put a chia pet on his head.
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E2Driver
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06-18-08 12:53 PM
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Who do you work for? Maybe we can find some deadbeats on your job too. As a whole, the city employees work very hard, and serve with pride.
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E2Driver
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06-18-08 12:49 PM
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I work.
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DasBoot
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06-18-08 11:21 AM
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Some of those city employees, namely in the operations department, do more physical labor in a week than most people do in a lifetime. Now the pencil pushers down at the City/County building, I'll agree with you on those people.
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wheelingwas
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06-18-08 9:02 AM
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"Our city employees deserve respect because there are not harder working people," Bush said. City employees hard working, I don't think so.
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