The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, along with Regional Economic Development (RED) and WTOV-TV, sponsored the “Voting For Business” candidates forum, which took place in Oglebay Park’s Pine Room.

Candidates for the District 1 seat in the West Virginia Senate discussed how best to retain youth and population in the Northern Panhandle. Taking the stage were incumbent Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, and challenger Joe Eddy, a retired president and CEO of Eagle Manufacturing.

“The best thing we can do is make our community strong,” Eddy said. “We need to give our youth the opportunity for a job when they graduate. With that, (they will need) workforce development and career-track education.

“We need to give the youth jobs, as well as affordable housing. We need to give them a future they can depend on so they settle in this area.”

Photo by Joselyn King Joe Eddy, left, and West Virginia Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, Republican candidates for the District 1 West Virginia Senate seat, take the stage during the “Voting For Business” candidates forum, taking place Thursday night in Oglebay Park’s Pine Room.

Chapman noted the area is a safe place to raise children, but opportunities to keep them here to grow future generations must be available.

“We have the best schools in the Northern Panhandle, and they are known for their career and technical education offerings,” she said. “We also have great colleges and universities.

“I think if we can partner with those colleges and universities, we can encourage more opportunities through business incubation and create more opportunities for our children to stay.”

Current Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket for the 1st District Senate seat. He was not included when the Republican candidates in the race took the stage but was instead questioned separately.

He told those present West Virginia is missing out by not permitting marijuana dispensary businesses sooner in the state. Ohio already has dispensaries open on its side of the river, and Pennsylvania officials announced this week they are moving in that direction, according to Fluharty.

Photo by Joselyn King Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, a candidate for the District 1 West Virginia Senate seat, takes the stage during the “Voting For Business” candidates forum, taking place Thursday night in Oglebay Park’s Pine Room.

“We talk about this ‘backyard brawl,’ but we’re not competing,” Fluharty said. “We have missed out on millions of dollars of revenue, and I’m the only candidate taking it seriously. I’m the only candidate in the race who is supporting one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. That’s one we should be taking seriously in the State Senate.”

The race for the District 4 House of Delegates seat sees a GOP primary between Derek Ennis and Dolph Santorine. Santorine has a background in building businesses, while Ennis has expertise in industrial safety.

They were asked what they might do in Charleston to encourage more interest and participation in West Virginia’s trade industries.

Ennis said skills learned in career and technical classes and trade schools get people into the workforce where needed and allow them to start working and contributing to society earlier by paying taxes.

“Trades are the backbone of our community,” Santorine added. “Being a plumber, being an HVAC repairman — those are great jobs, and they allow a great deal of flexibility. And right now we have a shortage of both.”

Photo by Joselyn King Democrat Karen Shuler Stakem, left, and Republican Beth Hinebaugh, candidates for the District 5 West Virginia House of Delegates seat, take the stage during the “Voting For Business” candidates forum, taking place Thursday night in Oglebay Park’s Pine Room.

Democrat Karen Shuler Stakem and Republican Beth Hinebaugh are both running unopposed for their party’s nomination to the District 4 House of Delegates seat on May 12. They took the stage together and answered questions at Tuesday night’s forum.

Both are mothers and business owners. Stakem said her family has operated the “Hole N’ Run” sporting goods store in Wheeling for 47 years, while Hinebaugh’s businesses include the Noah’s Ark daycare center on Wheeling Island.

“If I am elected, I think I will govern (as a delegate) like I have my life — with an open mind and an eye toward my community,” Stakem said. “Those of you who know me know my door is always open to constituents….

“I think the thing that we have gotten away from with our representatives is constituent services. It (the job) is about people and helping people in your community.”

Hinebaugh contends child care is an important part of economic growth.

Photo by Joselyn King Delegate Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, a candidate for the District 1 West Virginia Senate seat, takes the stage during the “Voting For Business” candidates forum, taking place Thursday night in Oglebay Park’s Pine Room.

“I have had parents tell me they couldn’t take a job because they didn’t have child care,” she said. “And business owners tell me they can’t grow their business because they can’t find workers. Those are real issues we have to address within our community.”

Photo by Joselyn King Republicans Derek Ennis, left, and Dolph Santorine candidates for the District 4 West Virginia House of Delegates seat, take the stage during the “Voting For Business” candidates forum, taking place Thursday night in Oglebay Park’s Pine Room.

Photo by Joselyn King Joe Eddy, left, and West Virginia Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, Republican candidates for the District 1 West Virginia Senate seat, take the stage during the “Voting For Business” candidates forum, taking place Thursday night in Oglebay Park’s Pine Room.