Three candidates have thrown their hat in the ring to be the representative for Ward 3 on Moundsville City Council. Incumbent Eugene Lee Saunders Sr. aims to defend his seat against Coty Rogerson and Mandy Weese.

Saunders, 75, was elected to city council to represent Ward 3 in 2008 and served as mayor from 2012 to 2015. The retired coal miner was the first and only African-American mayor in Moundsville’s history.

Saunders ran unopposed for the 3rd Ward seat in the 2020 election. He decided to run again this year because he “really cares” for the people of Moundsville and desires to “make a change” in the town.

If re-elected, Saunders’s top priorities are “correcting problems that need solved” and continuing his work as the 2nd Congressional Member of the West Virginia Municipal League.

Saunders believes he stands out from the other candidates because he votes against council majority when he believes they are “wrong” and will answer “any problems” in his ward.

“I’d like to see more houses removed and more policemen hired,” Saunders said. “I will work with other people to get things done. I will go to the problems at the source and help them get solved.”

Rogerson, 38, is seeking a spot on council because he believes the city needs “new people and fresh ideas” to help the area “continuously grow and develop.” Rogerson works as an Accounts Receivable and Billing Specialist and is a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Rogerson’s top priority in office would be economic development. His plan to achieve this includes attracting new businesses to the area and creating more job opportunities to “help grow Moundsville’s economy and keep our community vibrant.”

Rogerson’s next priority is infrastructure improvements, including ensuring roads, utilities and public spaces are “well-maintained and upgraded where needed.”

“These two priorities are essential for our city’s future growth and sustainability,” Rogerson noted.

Rogerson said the community’s “biggest challenge” was “restoring a sense of pride in both the town and the community itself.”

Rogerson noted city management and the Parks & Recreation Department have made “great strides” in developing areas across town, but people “remain skeptical.” Rogerson gave an example of recent community feedback for the new outdoor facility at East End Park being “mostly positive,” but including “concerns that it might be damaged by misuse and vandalism within months.”

“I think it’s time for the community to come together, support these initiatives and take an active role in protecting and preserving them, rather than just offering criticism from the sideline,” Rogerson said. “I regularly walk my dog around the ward, always keeping a close eye on the neighborhood and reporting anything suspicious to the proper authorities. I will continue doing this and encourage the community to stay vigilant and do the same.”

Weese, 36, decided to run for a council seat because she “cares deeply” about the community, the people who live there and the challenges they face. Weese is employed as a Direct Sales Representative for Crossmark. She is a Sanitary/Stormwater Utility Board member and a Court Appointed Special Advocates association volunteer.

“I care about improving our infrastructure and our city’s reputation,” Weese said. “I believe in empowering voices who aren’t always able to speak up. I also want to set a positive example for my daughter, showing her that it’s okay to step up and take action, even when it’s intimidating.”

If elected, Weese’s top two priorities are increasing transparency and accessibility to the city government for the public and expanding communal spaces.

Weese will strive for her first goal by prioritizing public access to information. She will advocate for proposed ordinances and key documents to be made available alongside the meeting agenda in advance. She added that she will also work to involve the community more in discussions by proposing quarterly town halls.

To provide the city with more communal spaces, Weese wants to create a community garden in addition to maintaining and improving existing parks. She will also support community events and programs that “make Moundsville an even more enjoyable place to live.”

Weese identified “addiction” as the biggest challenge the city faces. She noted her personal experiences with losing family members to addiction has made her ready to address the problem.

“My plan would begin by building awareness around addiction, supporting the development of ordinances for safe drug disposal and create more opportunities for recovery support in our city,” she said.

Weese noted her perspective was unique as the only candidate running with a school-age child, her 7-year-old daughter Emilia Weese.

“I have a personal understanding of the challenges parents face in these difficult times,” Weese said. “My goal is to use this experience to improve our city and make it safer so that our children can inherit an even better Moundsville than my generation did.”