WHEELING - Ohio County Commissioner Don Nickerson "really loves" his elected job, and he is asking voters this year to re-elect him in 2024.
Nickerson, a Republican, was first elected in 2018. He has filed for re-election to a second six-year term.
The best thing about being commissioner is "helping people," he explained.
"I actually really enjoy helping people when they have issues in the county, and making sure the county is responsive to needs and transparent," Nickerson said. "I get calls from people all the time on issues. Sometimes it's a matter within the county and there is something we can do. Other times it isn't, and it’s just a matter of directing them to the right organization."
A lot of the issues voiced by the public regard local roadways. Roadway issues come under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Highways and are not that of the county, Nickerson explained.
Nickerson also enjoys helping local municipalities and groups by providing community grants to events they organize.
"These attract people, and they come and spend money," he said. "I enjoy that we can contribute to these events.
"We contribute a lot to events, and a lot are happening in the city and on the waterfront. We want the city to be successful. Wheeling is part of the county."
Nickerson, 63, works as an attorney with the law firm of Spilman, Thomas and Battle in Wheeling. Prior to being elected commissioner, he served as a municipal court judge for the city of Wheeling from 1999 to 2019.
He believes that one change over the last six years is that the commission now better responds to the public.
"We are very responsive," Nickerson said. "I had heard complaints from the public that their phone calls would go unreturned. We are also much more transparent.
"When there are call-in meetings, we make it easier for the public to participate. Our meeting agendas are on line, and the commissioners are always taking calls on their cell phones. That's a good thing."
The biggest challenge facing the county is keeping the budget under control, according to Nickerson.
"There is runaway inflation, and the cost of everything is increasing," he said. "Our biggest challenge is trying to provide the same level of services without a burden on the taxpayers with resources we have."
Over the next six years Nickerson wants to see local roadways improve - "not just downtown, throughout the county."
He would also like The Highlands to continue to diversify and expand, and for the county "to continue to become more involved with other municipalities and the projects they do."
Nickerson noted the county's relationship with the city of Wheeling "is better than it was before," and that commissioners communicate with City Manager Robert Herron on a regular basis.
"We communicate better," he said. "The (former Ohio Valley Medical Center) OVMC/WVU Medicine Cancer Center project is happening. If we hadn't partnered it may not have happened."
Nickerson was the only candidate in his last election to publicly offer his personal phone number for comments and questions. He still welcomes input on county matters at 304-280-3062.