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MOUNDSVILLE - Two familiar faces will be returning to the city council table in 2021, and fond wishes were shared between council members new and old at their recent final meeting of 2020.
At the November election, Randy Chamberlain and Denny Wallace, both council members in decades past, were called upon to return by voters, defeating incumbents Phil Remke and Brianna Hickman. Chamberlain spoke briefly during public comment at the council's last meeting, thanking both Remke and Hickman for their service to the city and its citizens.
"They have done an outstanding job, they've been very dedicated, committed to serving the people on their time of council, and I hope I can do as much for the people as those two have done," Chamberlain said. Chamberlain, a former three-term councilman in the 1970s and 1980s, said he now hopes to return "older and wiser."
Remke, who received 1,097 votes, losing his at-large seat by just 120 votes, spoke in good humor, saying that it was a fun job learning how government works, despite his distaste for it as an institution. Remke said the council needs to seriously consider embracing the next generation into the government apparatus, particularly thanking Hickman and Sara Wood, the council's two youngest members.
"I think everyone needs to look at the youngest generation. Sara, you do a great job, Brianna, great job. We need to get more young people involved with this city, and with what the future's going to bring, it's going to be needed," Remke said. "It's not going to be easy, it's not going to be bad. Positive thinking brings positive results."
Wood echoed Remke's comments, saying that it was nice having another young voice on council, as well as expressing her appreciation for Hickman's work with the arts and culture commission, in particular the successful drive-in movie nights the city held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hickman thanked the council for their support, saying that they made her first jump into public office a very rewarding one. Hickman said she was going to continue working alongside the city.
"I'm definitely not going anywhere. You'll see me on the other side of the podium when we're back in person again, so don't expect me to disappear for too long," she said.
Hickman, development director for the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley since 2018, was appointed to council in February to finish an unexpired term of David Haynes, who resigned without comment at the end of 2019. She garnered an even 1,000 votes on election night. Council members offered warm congratulations for another successful year, exchanging Christmas wishes, ending an overall pretty miserable year on a good note.
Recognition and thanks were due outside of the elected officials, as well. Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Kimple was recognized by city manager Rick Healy during his comments for assisting a man who was in distress. The man, who was coming from the Golden Towers on an electric scooter, had been calling for help while passing by the city building, and upon meeting the man Kimple recognized that he was suffering from a stroke, getting him medical attention.
The man wrote Kimple and the fire department a card in gratitude, which Healy read during the meeting:
"Hey y'all, you have enriched my life by knowing you. When I needed you, you were there. Merry Christmas, peace and love," Healy read.