photo by: Craig Howell

As part of a special organizational meeting held Monday evening, Weirton Mayor Dean Harris received city council’s approval for his four administrative appointments, from left: Police Chief W. Charles Kush; City Attorney Vincent S. Gurrera; City Judge Dean Makricostas; and City Manager Michael Adams.

While Weirton City Council experiences numerous changes with the beginning of the new year, the city administration will have some consistency.

Council met in special session Monday evening to organize under the terms of the city charter, with Mayor Dean Harris appointing, and receiving approval for, four key positions.

“By charter, we’re required to meet the first Monday after the term begins,” explained Harris, noting no other action would be taken beyond the appointments of city manager, police chief, city judge, and city attorney.

Following a four-minute executive session, to discuss the appointments of the four administrative posts, Harris nominated Michael Adams to the post of city manager; Vincent S. Gurrera as city attorney; Dean Makricostas as city judge; and W. Charles Kush as chief of police.

All four held the same positions with the previous city administration, with each appointment receiving unanimous votes of approval from city council.

“I’m looking forward to the next four years working with this council and administration,” Harris said. “I’m anxious to get started.”

A lifelong Weirton resident who is retired from the West Virginia State Police, Kush has been chief of police since being appointed by former mayor Harold “Bubba” Miller in December 2020.

Adams first was sworn in as city manager, also by Miller, in October 2021. He previously has served as a member of Weirton Council, the city judge, and a member of the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation, as well as working as an assistant prosecutor in Hancock County, and city attorney for Chester.

This will be the third mayoral administration for Gurrera to serve as city attorney, stepping into the post under former mayor George Kondik. He also previously served as city judge and as an assistant prosecutor in Hancock County.

Makricostas has been Weirton’s city judge since 2015, having also held similar positions for other area communities, along with time as Wellsburg’s city prosecutor.

Weirton City Council will hold its first regular meeting of the year at 7 p.m. Monday.