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After Making History, Wellsburg’s First Black Mayor, Danny Dudley, Looks To Future

WELLSBURG -- With the city's recent election behind him, Danny Dudley is reflecting on his status as Wellsburg's new mayor and the things he would like to accomplish in that role.

In April, Wellsburg Council appointed Dudley, then one of two 1st Ward representatives on council, to serve as interim mayor following the death of Sue Simonetti. He had declared his candidacy for mayor after Simonetti announced she wouldn't seek another term after leading the city for 12 years.

Dudley's election in June was a historic occasion for Wellsburg because he is the first African-American to serve as its mayor.

It's not the first "first" in his family. His wife, Pamela, was the first African-American member of the Brooke County Board of Education and his daughter, Amanda, is the first African-American to serve as Wellsburg's city clerk.

Dudley said he doesn't believe his race was an issue for many voters because he was known as a long-time resident who lived all but one year of his life in the 1st Ward.

"When it came to the voting, I feel they just knew my name and my family and they didn't make it an issue. I'm just proud of the people and feel blessed that they supported me," he said.

Dudley had served on the city's planning commission in the past.

A former shop steward at Eagle Manufacturing, he has served as president of the Eagle employees' credit union for more than a dozen years.

A former chairman of the 1st Ward Reunion committee, Dudley said he grew up in a very diverse neighborhood. While he was the first in his family to attend integrated schools, he recalls black and white families from the 1st Ward turning out for the football games of segregated schools to root for their neighbors' children.

"We may have gone to separate schools but we all played on the 1st Ward playground," he added.

The park was later named for E.R. "Dick" Nichols, the first African-American to be appointed to council.

Nichols also represented the 1st Ward and had pushed for improvements to the city's parks. Nichols' grandson, Jerry, recently was appointed to fill Dudley's 1st Ward council seat.

Dudley said in addition to his efforts on council, Dick Nichols often quietly left food on the doorsteps of residents he knew were struggling financially.

He said he looked up to Nichols and Russel Fuller, a former neighbor who was the first African-American to be elected to council.

"He was a coal miner and a part-time plumber. Just a good person. He showed you with hard work, what you could have. The same way with Ed Stein," Dudley said, referring to a long-time resident and advocate for the 1st Ward and the father of current council member Della Serevicz.

Prior to serving on council, Dudley successfully petitioned the panel to name Third Street between Yankee and Charles streets Ed Stein Way in his memory.

Dudley said he became interested in representing the 1st Ward seat because he wanted to see steps taken against dilapidated and abandoned buildings in the city and the pavement and maintenance of all streets and alleys.

He said as mayor he will continue to work for those goals as well as supporting beautification of the Sixth Street Wharf.

Dudley said many working in the city enjoy having their lunch there on warm days and it and the Yankee Trail, used by many bicyclists, can help to attract visitors to Wellsburg.

"It goes without saying you want to keep your police, fire and street departments equipped so they can do a good job for the city," he added.

Dudley also sees the development of a new Ohio River bridge just south of the city as a major economic boost.

"With the bridge coming in, I'd like to work closely with leaders in Brilliant and Wells Township because I think we can all benefit from it. I think big things can come from it," he said.

Dudley said he plans to add a suggestion box at City Hall and hold town hall meetings at local parks to seek input from residents.

He said he's optimistic that he and council, working together, can make the city better.

"We have a working council. Although we might not see everything eye to eye, we all want to see the city improved," Dudley said.