MORGANTOWN — Before Morgantown’s voters go to the polls in April to select the next city council, there will likely be a new member of the current council.
Morgantown City Councilor Zack Cruze explained on Tuesday that he will resign his seat in March.
Cruze, council’s 3rd Ward representative, previously announced he would not seek reelection after accepting a position with FEMA that will take him out the state.
“My family and I will be moving in March, and at that time, I’ll resign from council and council will then be able to appoint to the remainder of my term who they wish,” Cruze said.
The current council term ends June 30.
In other news from Tuesday’s meeting, you can add one more incumbent to the list of candidates for the April 2021 Morgantown City Council Election, and count one more out.
Sixth Ward Councilor Dave Harshbarger announced that he will seek a second term.
Moments later, Seventh Ward Councilor Barry Wendell officially declared himself out after two terms.
Harshbarger joins Bill Kawecki (2nd Ward) and Jenny Selin (4th Ward) as current members to announce candidacy for the upcoming election.
Interestingly, those three seats will be the first to serve four-year terms should voters approve a change to the city charter doubling council terms from two to four years and staggering council elections so either three or four seats are up every two years.
“After just one term, I’ve come to realize just how slow it takes for positive change,” Harshbarger said. “We have a lot of projects that could bring a lot of positive change to Morgantown. I want to continue to be a part of that and continue to move that forward.”
Wendell said the trials of the past year coupled with personal health concerns led him to his decision.
“I’m 71 with a heart condition and other physical problems and I think, for me, it’s enough,” he said.
He joins Deputy Mayor Rachel Fetty (1st Ward), Cruze (3rd Ward) and Mayor Ron Dulaney (5th Ward), to have announced their intent to step away when this council comes to a close on June 30.
This week marked the official start of city election season.
City Clerk Christine Wade said thus far, two candidates — Danielle Trumble and Tony Setley — have filed certificates of announcement with her office. Both Setley and Trumble are in the 5th Ward.
Wade explained that both in-person and digital nominating petitions will be available for candidates this year due to COVID-19, and explained that all election information is available on the city’s website, morgantownwv.gov.
In other news, council approved a bid of $297,867 with Caliber Contracting Services for Phase 2 of the former Woodburn school ADA Improvement project.
Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli explained that Phase I outfitted the 100-year old building with a new elevator. Phase II will make the first-floor restrooms ADA accessible and otherwise reconfigure the first floor to improve accessibility.
The money is coming from Community Development Block Grant funding.
