Weirton meets the Democratic candidates
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WEIRTON -- Area residents had an opportunity Thursday to hear directly from a selection of candidates seeking local and statewide office.
A "Meet the Candidate" event was hosted at T. Kosciusko Hall in Weirton, organized by the Hancock and Brooke County Democratic executive committees and the Democratic Women organizations from both counties, welcoming several of the Democratic candidates set to appear on the ballot Nov. 5.
Among those in attendance Thursday was Glenn Elliott, the former mayor of Wheeling who is set to face current Gov. Jim Justice for a seat representing West Virginia in the U.S. Senate.
Elliott noted he was wrapping up his tour of the state, during which he has traveled to all 55 counties in an effort to meet face-to-face with voters. He said his hope is to bring a new voice to Washington, D.C., as someone who sees the potential for all of the state.
"We are a state looking for something new," he said.
Elliott grew up in Wheeling, but, as he watched businesses and people leave the city's downtown, he felt there wasn't a future for him and left the state to pursue his college education. During his college years, he had the opportunity to intern, and then work, for the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd.
"I saw the way he used that job to bring resources back to West Virginia," Elliott said of the experience.
Elliott followed that work with law school, briefly working for a firm in the nation's capital before returning home, where he saw a city still clinging to its past.
"I knew we had to change the conversation," he said, pointing to his efforts in downtown development and his eight years as Wheeling's mayor as helping to bring hope back to the city. "People are talking about the future for the first time in years."
It's that same vision and effort he wants to have for West Virginia, working with communities across the state to help them reach their potential.
Pointing to recent news of financial issues being faced by Justice, including reported non-payment of taxes on various properties, the potential auction of the Greenbrier and a dispute over the payment of health insurance for Greenbrier employees, Elliott said if people want to know the character of his opponent, they need to talk to people from Lewisburg and surrounding communities.
"They know him down there. My challenge is to get the rest of the state to know him," Elliott said, calling Justice "the most flawed Senate candidate in the country."
He pledged to fight for the rights of individuals, and to work to provide more transparency in government.
Thornton Cooper was the only other candidate for statewide office to attend. The Democratic candidate for Secretary of State noted he was from South Charleston, but spent two summers living in Brooke County in the 1970s, assisting his brother who worked as an attorney in the area.
"I don't think most people know there's anything north of Wheeling," he said.
Cooper lauded his work, on multiple occasions to challenge issues of legislative redistricting, explaining the Secretary of State is the chief election official and needs to properly oversee the elections process.
Olivia Dowler is the Democratic nominee seeking to represent the Second District of the West Virginia House of Delegates. She is facing incumbent Mark Zatezalo, R-Weirton.
"I believe everyone should have their voices amplified," Dowler said, offering to represent all residents of the district, while pledging to work for the freedoms for all, to provide for a stronger workforce, from union laborers to teachers, to ensure food is more readily available and more affordable and to work toward a lower cost of living.
She also wants to focus on improving the approach to mental health care, both through its availability and how it is covered by insurance programs, address responsible gun ownership, and encourage the growth of social work programs in schools.
Admitting she is young, having just graduated from West Virginia University, Dowler said she wants to focus on the needs and wants of local residents, while finding ways for all to benefit from their knowledge.
"This isn't about my experience. It's about the experiences of District 2," she said.
Dezso Polgar is set to face incumbent Hancock County Sheriff Scott Gittings in the election.
"I want to see some good things happen with law enforcement, and emergency services," he said.
A retired deputy with experience in business, firefighting and emergency medical services, Polgar said he wants to revamp the command structure of the sheriff's department, provide new training opportunities, and provide new focus for the prevention resource officer programs.
"We have to have the community's trust," he said, explaining he also wants to emphasize more community outreach, have more local focus from the Drug Task Force and not make as many deals with confidential informants.
Also speaking Thursday was Dean Harris, candidate for Weirton mayor, and Kyle Wilson, candidate for Ward 4 council. Weirton's election also is taking place Nov. 5, with a non-partisan ballot.