MORGANTOWN — A year ago, Bill Kawecki was ready to step away from Morgantown City Council’s 2nd Ward seat.
Then, as they often do, circumstances intervened.
Council needed to hire a new city manager to lead a team with four vacant director positions. Then came the news that the majority of his colleagues on council would not be returning.
“I had really debated whether or not I’d come back. There are a number of personal things that I’ve felt like I’ve neglected over a period of time that could use my attention,” Kawecki said. “But to bring in a new city manager, and then also have most of city council coming in brand new, I really felt that coming back was an appropriate thing to do. I honestly came back primarily for those reasons.”
Kawecki is one of three unopposed incumbents — including Jenny Selin (4th Ward) and Dave Harshbarger (6th Ward) — running in council’s April 27 municipal election.
As it turns out, those are also the three seats up to serve the first four-year terms in Morgantown City Council history if the city’s voters support a referendum extending and staggering council terms.
Kawecki said term length was not really a factor in his decision.
“The idea of the staggered, longer terms has been a longtime consideration of council. It’s a good thing to happen,” he said. “It’s just the luck of the draw that it ended up being the incumbents coming back will be the initial wards with longer terms. But it literally was the luck of the draw. Emily [Muzarrelli] pulled a number and that’s how it came out.”
With the potential of four more years ahead, he’s ready to get to work despite the ongoing challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic.
He said the lessons of COVID-19 have gone well beyond the city’s bottom line for members of council.
“The last year really has shown us and exposed the vital things we depend upon and take for granted. It sounds strange, but there’s something in there that’s a good thing — to know where you’re vulnerable and do your best to address it,” he said. “For one example, the distribution of food. How many kids go to school depending on the food that will be provided. We found that out. That’s one example of the things the pandemic has brought to light.”
But the struggles are balanced with a wide array of positive initiatives in the city.
The riverfront, the runway project, the development of a community resource center, the rebirth of Hotel Morgan, the city’s focus on clearing nuisance properties — just a few signs of progress made and work yet to be accomplished.
“There are still so many hopeful, and accomplishable, things right here in front of us. These are not pie in the sky. These are things that have been initiated. They’re just beginning. They can flower,” Kawecki said. “Quite frankly, that’s the kind of thing we need to be focusing on.”
Kawecki, who’s three-year run as the city’s mayor ended in July 2020, is seeking his fifth term in office.
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