CANDIDATES — Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce Board member Joe Barnabei, left, served as master of ceremonies for the mayoral forum held at the Millsop Community Center Wednesday evening. Participating mayoral candidates were Harold Miller, Flora Perrone and Dean Harris. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Weirton residents had an opportunity, Wednesday, to hear directly from some of the candidates seeking to be the city’s next mayor as part of a forum hosted by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Three of the four candidates – incumbent Harold Miller, current Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone, and former mayor Dean Harris – took part in the forum in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center. Candidate George Village did not participate in the forum.

Miller pointed to much of the work done during his last nine years as mayor, including investments in the city’s water and sanitary systems, the work of staff and hiring for the police department.

“We’re upgrading facilities so you can live comfortably,” Miller said, pledging to “keep plugging away” if elected to a third consecutive term.

Perrone, who chose to seek the mayor’s office after one term on city council, noted she has learned much in the last five years, saying she wants to help usher in a new generation of leadership for the community.

“I know better a better day is coming,” she said

Harris, who served as mayor from 1995 to 2003, acknowledged it “is a critical time in Weirton’s history,” saying he wants to focus on public safety, through investments in police and fire services as well as encouraging neighborhood watch programs such as one he helped to organize on Marland Heights. He also noted a need for continued investment in the city’s parks and recreation.

“They weren’t properly funded,” Harris said. “We need to do better.”

Work is needed in the city’s downtown area, Harris said, explaining better work is needed from the city’s code enforcement officials to address dilapidated properties.

Multiple questions were asked concerning Weirton’s Business and Occupation Tax.

“I’m looking at evaluating all of our revenue streams,” Perrone said, pledging to review all of the city’s revenue streams and expenses to see what adjustments can be made.

Harris said he is not privy to the current city budget, acknowledging it is almost twice what was available to the city when he was last in office, but said he, also would look at options available.

“The revenue stream is at a record level,” Harris said. “Somewhere within that, we should be able to look at reducing the B&O.”

Miller said he was upset by some of the tax levels, and is against the B&O.

“I’m totally against it. I’ll fight against it,” he said.

Looking toward the future, Harris said the city had been fortunate to be held aloft for so many years by Weirton Steel, but needs a new vision.

“It’s time for us to sit back and re-envision what we want to be,” he said, noting preparations are needed to help better attract new opportunities.

Perrone, though, said a vision already is formed and it will be up to city officials and various partners to reach their goals.

“The future of Weirton is now. The seed hasn’t just been planted. It’s already growing,” she said. “We have to work together to raise that tide.”

Miller pointed to development which has taken place in Weirton in recent years, and a need to maintain infrastructure, including U.S. Route 22, to support future growth.

“We have the space and room available,” Miller said.

All three candidates explained the idea of riverfront development is difficult, as property in Weirton along the Ohio River is privately owned and currently unavailable, and all three pledged to remain in office as mayor for the full term, and not to seek another office, if elected.

Other questions focused on the use of Robert’s Rules of Order during council meetings, partnerships with local counties and school boards, as well as the topic of crypto currency – which all three candidates acknowledged they didn’t understand.

Chamber Board of Directors member Joe Barnabei served as master of ceremonies, with Board Chair George Kondik as the timekeeper.

The forum was streamed, and can be viewed on the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.