MORGANTOWN — Dave Harshbarger was less than a year into his first term on Morgantown City Council when the world changed.
Since then, like everyone else, he’s been learning on the fly.
“When you’re doing things virtually, it’s just not as effective,” he said,” noting he’s not ready to give up the charge.
Harshbarger, the city’s 6th Ward representative, is one of three incumbents without a challenge in the upcoming municipal election. Those same three representatives, including Jenny Selin (4th Ward) and Bill Kawecki (2nd Ward) will be first to be elected to four-year terms, should the city’s voters back a referendum doubling council terms from two to four years and staggering terms so no more than three councilors are up for election at any given time.
Harshbarger was initially hesitant about returning to council – especially given the four-year term ahead – but when he learned that four of the seven sitting members were not seeking reelection, his choice was clear.
“I just really started thinking about all the projects we have going on. We have some really great projects gong on for our community,” he said. “Then we bring in a new city manager, who is excellent, but I’ve never met with him in person, outside of these virtual meetings. That’s a lot of change. Leaving council at this point just didn’t feel like the right thing to do”
Harshbarger went on to say that he didn’t want to contribute to the unprecedented turnover taking place in city leadership in the wake of a new city manager coming on board in the midst of a global pandemic.
“It really is a challenge to represent people on council, especially when you’re trying to be a city leader and you can’t meet with people face-to-face,” he said “For the first year you’re learning who all the players are and what is expected of you. There’s such a learning curve that I feel like there needs to be some consistency.”
Harshbarger said he’s hopeful that once more West Virginians are vaccinated, council can focus on issues that he’s passionate about, like health and wellness.
“I would encourage them to ask questions,” he said. “It’s OK not to know everything. You want to know, but you’re not going to know it right away. There’s nothing wrong with asking your fellow city councilors, or city administration,” he said “Just speak up.”
Former city councilor Jay Redmond is a write-in candidate for the 6th Ward.
Tweet @DominionPostWV
