Bates, Jones hoping to join Hancock County Commission
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WEIRTON - No matter the results of Tuesday’s election, Hancock County residents will have someone new representing them on the county commission.
Democrat Brianne Bates and Republican Ronnie Jones each seek to represent Hancock County’s Butler District on the commission as part of the election, with a term to begin in January. The seat is currently held by Eron Chek, whom Jones defeated in the May Republican primary.
A lifetime resident of Weirton, Jones previously has held public office, serving as a city councilman for eight years and in the West Virginia House of Delegates for four years. He currently is a member of several area boards including the Hancock County Health Board, the Weirton Area Water Board and the Weirton Parks Board. He also volunteers for veterans organizations.
If elected, he wants to focus on keeping communities protected, safe schools, plus retaining and attracting businesses as well as residents.
"To do these things, we need to make sure our law enforcement, PROs, fire departments, parks and recreations, 911 center have the funding they need," Jones said. "We also need to communicate with our businesses - big and small - to ensure they have what they need to keep them running and successful in our county."
Bates is a native of Oakdale, Pa., but has been living in Weirton for the last seven years. She has more than 20 years of experience in retail, customer service, hospitality and the mortgage industry, currently owning a small online retail business and hosting virtual escape room events for world-wide corporate team building activities.
She is active with the Weirton Lions Club, Top of WV Arts Council, Hancock and Brooke Young Professionals and the Hancock County Museum. She also volunteers with the Community Bread Basket, Hancock County Humane Foundation and Weirton Trash Squad.
Bates said through conversations with residents, she has keyed on to a need to properly fund community resources, providing economic opportunity - especially for younger generations - and address the need to invest in local utility services.
"While the commission doesn’t have control over the cities’ water systems, they do oversee three PSDs that service a large part of the county," she said. "I’ll work with those PSDs to make sure they are able to obtain what they need to secure funding and grants and improve the water infrastructure for our area."
Both candidates agree local citizens and governments should have a say in whether data centers are built in the area, with Jones noting the jobs provided through such projects are mainly temporary and Bates pointing to lower property tax rates assessed locally with the majority sent to the state level.
Opioid funding distribution continues in Hancock County, with Bates noting the importance of emphasizing prevention and education as both a life-saving measure and a resource-saving opportunity for the county.
"Active care for those battling addiction and for those in recovery is essential," she said. "I think organizations applying for opioid funds and those applications being reviewed by the commission and staff counsel is appropriate, but I’m open to hearing other opinions on the matter I will work to make sure that the funds being used are directly benefiting Hancock County residents to the fullest."
Jones, meanwhile, took issue with how some of the funds were distributed.
"I am familiar with how to request funding as well as how to distribute funding," he said. "If I am elected, I will work with the other commissioners to develop a request for a funding application for organizations to complete. The application would then be reviewed by the commission (and if needed the county’s legal counsel) and distributed on a point/merit system."
Both candidates pledge to be available to residents, with Jones inviting the public to reach out to him at any time, while Bates would consider the options including town halls, virtual office hours, public workshops and establishing a county newsletter to keep residents informed of meetings and events, as well as updating the county website to make it more user friendly.
Both recognize the importance of investing in infrastructure and attracting economic development, with Jones noting a need for cooperative efforts between the local, state and federal levels of government.
"I think we all want jobs to come to Hancock County," he said. "Working with organizations like BHJ planning commission, BDC and our state elected officials to attract businesses that will be successful in Hancock County and remain in Hancock County."
Bates emphasized the importance of establishing the proper environment, including focusing on an improved quality of life, and supporting existing businesses.
"The aim would be to diversify our economic offerings. Manufacturing has given us a stable base, but there is still room for expansion in that sector. I’d also like to expand education and training opportunities."
She also would like to advocate for recreation and tourism.
Brooke County voters also will have commission races appearing on their ballots, with Christina White and Stacey Wise, both Republicans, set in uncontested races for their seats.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)