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I've been a keen observer of Wheeling city government for nearly 30 years. Over that time, I've seen plenty of political disagreements over the city and its future.
Zoning disputes. Council members arguing over public policy. A split vote and heated debate on whether to retain the city manager. And more.
But the current moment, in many ways, may top the list.
An effort to recall a sitting mayor?
That's a new one.
City business owner Johnny Haught's petition drive to recall Mayor Dennis Magruder strikes me as unprecedented in Wheeling, at least over the past half-century. I can't recall another such effort.
The closest that comes to mind happened in 2008-09, when the late Bill Hefner and current city resident George Jones led a petition drive to overturn the two-man cruiser law then in effect.
That effort involved challenging a particular policy that generally was unpopular with everyone outside the Wheeling Fraternal Order of Police. This one involves trying to remove an elected official.
That's a considerable difference.
Whatever your personal feelings about this effort by Haught, we do have to recognize this for what it is: democracy in action.
Under the provisions of West Virginia State Code and also Wheeling's charter, citizens have a means to challenge their government. They can organize, gather signatures and, if the requirements are met (signatures of 10% of the city's registered votes), put the question before voters. That process deserves respect from those who support the mayor just as much as those who oppose him.
Whether the effort succeeds is another question. Gathering signatures and persuading voters are two very different things. We will see where this goes -- if it goes anywhere at all.
But I would offer Haught and others opposed to the mayor something to consider, as told to me by my good friend Howard Monroe, as we discussed the matter this past Tuesday morning:
Just because you believe the mayor and members of city council don't listen to you doesn't mean they aren't listening.
Think about it. There is a difference between hearing someone's concerns and wholeheartedly agreeing with their position. Just like anyone else, an elected official can consider your argument, understand your position and reach a different conclusion.
This doesn't automatically mean they're indifferent or opposed to your viewpoint. Governing would be impossible if every disagreement were proof somebody had indeed been ignored.
The thought-process does cut both ways, though. Elected officials cannot simply assure people they are listening and expect their assurance to settle everything. In my opinion, there needs to be more of a back-and-forth between our elected officials and the public -- particularly on important issues.
That is my biggest concern with this city council -- and, to be fair, most other elected bodies. They have a hard policy when it comes to engaging with constituents during public meetings.
Here in Wheeling, there have been several hot-button issues over the past two-plus years this council has addressed. Panhandling. Closing the homeless camp. And, most recently, a proposed data center in Warwood.
Residents have come to council meetings with questions on those issues, for which they're allotted three minutes. When their time is up, council doesn’t respond to the speaker, as dictated by attorneys who advise the elected officials. Residents then get frustrated, believing they're being ignored by those elected to represent them. When this happens enough times, frustration peaks and builds momentum to enact change, such as a recall petition.
How do you fix this? It begins with city council having meaningful conversations with their constituents -- particularly those who may step out of their comfort zones to address their representatives directly on matters which concern them. This is a big ask for some people. And when they feel ignored, this makes the problem even worse.
And if a council meeting isn’t the place, hold a public forum -- particularly on these hot-button topics. Be open and transparent. Help people understand your position and why you believe it's best for the city's future.
I'll be interested to see where this recall effort leads. But whatever becomes of the petition, the frustration behind it rightfully deserves attention. Residents need to know their concerns are heard, even when the answer isn't what they hoped for. A good elected official will know when to ignore the bad legal advice telling them not to engage in any manner and instead, let those in attendance know they actually care.
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As you'll read in our story on today's front page, longtime Ohio County Circuit Judge David Sims has announced his retirement, effective Dec. 31. Sims has been an elected official in this county for the past 32 years, first winning a seat on the Ohio County Commission in 1994. He held office there through 2012, when he was appointed by then-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to the judiciary. Sims won election in 2014, was re-elected in 2016 and then most recently in 2024, with that term running through 2032. That means, early next year, a new judge will be appointed to fill the vacancy.
During his time as county commissioner, Sims worked with then-commissioner Tim McCormick and also current Ohio County Commissioner Randy Wharton to develop The Highlands. His time on the bench has been exceptional, as well.
I'll have a more detailed perspective here next week, but for now, congratulations, David, on your upcoming retirement. You've served your community well.
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I had a very pleasant surprise last weekend during a conference in Columbus, Ohio, when I saw Wheeling native Charlie Ihlenfeld covering President Trump's visit to Vandalia, Ohio, where the president rallied for Ohio's GOP candidates.
Ihlenfeld, the son of former U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld, is a May 2026 graduate of Ohio University and a 2022 graduate of Wheeling Park High School, where he learned the broadcast trade under the tutelage of his aunt, Wheeling Park teacher Caroline Ihlenfeld Dillon. Ihlenfeld is a reporter with WDTN in Dayton, Ohio, and his on-air broadcast of the president's visit led the evening newscast that day in Columbus.
Covering a presidential visit as a young reporter can be stressful, and Ihlenfeld's report was thorough and professional.
It's always rewarding to see a young person from our community making his mark. Ihlenfeld is off to a strong start, and I look forward to seeing where his career takes him.