Outgoing Mayor Proud of Tenure

By CASEY JUNKINS
WHEELING — When Mayor Nick Sparachane presided over his first City Council meeting in July 2000, his then 6-year-old daughter Angela left him a note that he has kept for each meeting over the past eight years.

‘‘Good luck, Dad,’’ the note reads.

‘‘I have kept that note under my nameplate in the council chamber during my entire time as mayor,’’ Sparachane said.

With his last council meeting as mayor set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers, second floor of the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., Sparachane knows it is time to take the note home.

Mayor-elect Andy McKenzie takes office July 1.

Sparachane believes he served Wheeling with the ‘‘best interests of the entire city’’ on his mind for each day in office.

‘‘There is nothing I would have done differently in my eight years as mayor,’’ he said.

Sparachane cites the creation of many new jobs in the Celeron Plaza in Center Wheeling — including the Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe global operations center — as major accomplishments.

‘‘Williams Lea and Main Street Bank were great projects as well. We always did everything we could to bring in economic development,’’ he said.

Sparachane said the completion of the Lowe’s and Stone Center Tax Increment Financing projects was also a positive.

‘‘We completed two TIF projects already, and now we have the new one coming up with the $5 million for downtown and the Capitol Music Hall,’’ he said in reference to the current TIF plan that has been estimated to cost $8 million due to financing costs.

For the past few years, Wheeling has managed to maintain a $1 million budget stabilization fund, while continuing to provide pay raises for all city employees.

‘‘As a council, we were aggressive from the start in moving the city forward. I believe in my heart that we did everything we could to do that,’’ he said.

While he regrets the failure of the Victorian Outlet Mall from the early years of his tenure, Sparachane believes the Wheeling 2020 Plan lays the groundwork for the new council.

‘‘I hope the new council moves forward with the plan as they see fit,’’ he said.

When asked about future political aspirations, Sparachane said he needs some time away from the campaign trail, but did not rule out anything.

‘‘I have no immediate plans to run for any office,’’ he said.

But the current mayor — whose business ventures include Undo’s Family Restaurant and Catering, Just Us Inc. and Wells Fargo — is planning to expand his personal investments in the city.

‘‘I am a Wheeling investor; I am going to be very active with my businesses now,’’ he said.

When asked about McKenzie’s idea of reviewing the city charter, Sparachane said he prefers the current system of government.

‘‘If the new council wants to review the charter, that will be up to them. There are some people who think we need to make some changes, so it may be something they want to take a look at,’’ he said.

Sparachane recognized the efforts of current City Manager Robert Herron and former City Manager Will Turani during his tenure as mayor.

‘‘Those two guys made my job easy because they were always on top of everything,’’ he said.

During Tuesday’s meeting, council is expected to pass resolutions honoring Sparachane, as well as outgoing Vice Mayor Mike Nau, and Councilmen Barry Crow and Brent Bush.

‘‘I am proud to have worked with such a great group of people who all care about the city, and want to see positive things happen here,” he said.

Sparachane appreciates all the support he got from his wife, Patti, daughters Robin, Nicole, Lauren and Angela, and son Nick Jr.

‘‘My family has had to sacrifice a lot over these past eight years, and I am looking forward to being able to spend a little bit more time with them now,’’ he said.

Sparachane said he is most proud of his eight years of public service.

‘‘No matter what else I ever do or don’t do, I’ll always be able to look back and be proud that I did the best I could at this for eight years,’’ he said.