Mayor Marks Accomplishments
By CASEY JUNKINS Staff WriterArticle Photos
WHEELING - From reopening the Capitol Music Hall to reviewing the city's 16-year-old municipal charter, Mayor Andy McKenzie promised to produce dramatic changes in the way Wheeling works within his first 100 days in office.
Wednesday, which marked the 100th day of his term after being sworn in July 1, McKenzie highlighted several of his accomplishments and future goals during his tenure as mayor.
"I think we have made a lot of changes, and are clearly taking a different direction," he said.
As for early accomplishments, McKenzie cites changing the time of City Council meetings from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m; announcing plans to move council chambers to the first floor of the City-County Building to make better use of office space; engaging in regular dialogue with Ohio County commissioners; continuing to upgrade the city's Web site; conducting a review of the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority's bus services; conducting a review of the city's use of Community Development Block Grant money; and plans to reduce the number of fees the city charges for permits and licenses.
"The changes we implement today will affect the city for five, 10 or 20 years," he said.
Though the Capitol Music Hall remains closed, McKenzie said the viability of the 1928 theater that is still priced at $850,000 by owner Live Nation is one of his top priorities.
The Capitol "is very important to the future of Wheeling," he said, noting the city is working with the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp., Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau and Regional Economic Development Partnership to purchase the theater, or ensure that it is acquired by private investors.
"As long as it is opened and maintained, we will be happy," McKenzie added.
The theater has been closed for more than a year after 23 fire code violations were uncovered.
With the J.B. Chambers Performing Arts Center set to open at Wheeling Park High School in 2010, and an increasing number of musical shows held at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, some are questioning if Wheeling needs the Capitol.
But not McKenzie.
"Those are three completely different venues. A school amphitheater and a casino hall are different from the Capitol," he said.
The city has planned to use tax increment financing bonds as the means to finance the $2.5 million in repairs needed for the Capitol if it is purchased by a non-profit group. However, McKenzie said there are no plans to issue any new debt at this time.
"We have no plans to issue more TIF debt right now," he said, as the current volatility of the nation's financial system would make any bond nearly impossible to sell.
But McKenzie said the city has issued $715,000 in TIF bonds to fund the recent purchase of the former Rite Aid building, former G.C. Murphy building and former River City Dance Works buildings in the 1100 block of Main and Market streets.
The mayor said buying these buildings was the best way the city could promote redevelopment of the downtown district.
"All of those buildings were owned by people who did not live here, and had no interest in seeing them revitalized. The difference now is that there is local interest in revitalalizing these buildings," he said.
To date, the only "local interest" that has publicly expressed any plans to save the buildings in the 1100 block is the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp.
McKenzie said the city is exploring several options for the 1100 block buildings, including possibly purchasing Dr. Manny Velez's dental office and Feet First building that is directly adjacent to the former G. C. Murphy building.
The mayor also did not rule out demolishing some or all of the buildings in question.
"That is still a possibility," he said of razing the structures to create greenspace for future commercial development.
McKenzie also cites the work he and fellow council members are doing to implement the city's home rule powers. The state-granted program will allow Wheeling to impose fees upon owners of vacant buildings; enforce collection of liens placed on delinquent property owners; and issue conditional use zoning permits.
Home rule "is one of the biggest things we are going to do as a council. It is good that we are having free and open discussions of these matters," he said, noting that he personally does not favor charging fees to owners who maintain their buildings.
"We need to focus on cleaning up dilapidated structures," the mayor added.
McKenzie said he does not currently plan to ask the Municipal Home Rule Board for additional home rule authority, similar to the taxing powers gained by Charleston and Huntington.
While discussing how to best use the city's home rule powers, McKenzie is still very much in favor of reviewing the city charter.
"There are so many things we could do better, but we cannot do them because of the charter," he said.
McKenzie said one of the main issues in the charter he would like to see reviewed is the number of council wards in the city, which is currently six.
"I am going to appoint an independent body to review this," he said of a group that would conduct a preliminary review of the charter before calling for an official review.
"I don't want to impose a burden on the taxpayers if there is no reason to have a formal charter review," the mayor added.
Moving forward, McKenzie said two of his main goals are to reduce the city's workforce as much as possible, and to attract economic development.
"People ask if we have too many employees. As we move forward, we will see if we need to fill positions of those who leave through attrition," he said, noting the city currently has 407 full-time employees.
Though he declined to discuss the departments that could see personnel reductions, McKenzie said all departments would be examined to see where reductions could be made without reducing the amount of service provided to citizens.
"The city manager (Robert Herron) has to make sure there are enough people to provide services," he said, noting citizens expect the water to flow when they turn on their taps.
Though some may question whether the current economic environment is conducive to producing economic development, McKenzie says now is the time to act.
"This is a great opportunity for small cities like Wheeling to attract new businesses and companies because we offer a high quality of life. ... The cost of doing business here is much cheaper than in larger cities," he said, noting that the city hopes to attract more companies like Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe and Williams Lea.
With his term as a Republican state senator set to expire in January, McKenzie acknowledges that being Wheeling's mayor is much different - and much more complex - than being one of 134 legislators in Charleston.
"Being mayor is much more hands-on. The local concerns are about safety, weeds and dilapidated buildings. You must be cognitive to what citizens care about," he said.
McKenzie said he was not quite sure what to expect when taking over for former mayor Nick Sparachane this summer.
"I did not really expect anything. Each mayor has his or her own style and own agenda," he said.
With just over 100 days as Wheeling mayor down, McKenzie said it is far too early to say if he will seek higher office in the future.
"I just took office here. ... I cannot answer that right now," he said.
Moving forward, McKenzie said he still has a lot of work to do in Wheeling during his time as mayor.
"I love Wheeling," he added.
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SphinxRising58
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10-15-08 2:49 AM
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" Mayor Marks Accomplishments " That looks really impressive, doesn't it ? Well, let's see if what he claims is true by going over a few known facts everyone around here knows about Wheeling. The drug pushers still line the streets in plain view in both East Wheeling, the Island, downtown, & n. Wheeling. I see the hookers ( both male & female ) & pushers are still loafing over by 7-11 in plain view, working out of several nearby clubs, and using the McClure to do business in. I see 15th. St is still the shooting gallery, & that many local empty houses behind Convenient in East Wheeling are still being used as makeshift crack houses & crash pads. I see many former places of buisness are still empty, a failed mall ( down by 29th. st. ), a failed reopening of the Capitol, and a half a dozen other things they hyped on, all to come of naught in the end after thousands of dollars were wasted. He must be real proud, huh ?
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atoddh
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10-13-08 11:16 PM
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Great Kata. Well paid manufacturing jobs are the way.I hope there will be some cooperation for a change. WVson: Why do you think the Highlands is tanking? They seem to line up their tenants before building(unlike the City.)The State gave them 35 million in seed money. The only problem for them may be the huge loss of regional payroll related to W-P.People without jobs can not buy.
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WVSonDC
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10-13-08 10:21 PM
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Now that the 'Highlands' is heading for the 'tank', Where are all the people that wanted to chase me with pitch-forks and hang me from the nearest tree for speaking the truth?
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tmoore
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10-13-08 10:15 PM
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Aside,how many Wheeling people hope Obama was succusfel in donating $800000 to Acorn to lie about voter registration in WV,Ohio,and 10 other key states. Give em a rope and point to the nearest bridge.
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tmoore
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10-13-08 10:11 PM
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Amazing.Ihave three houses in WV,one MD , a business in Md, none are rentals,and city bozos are telling me they are concernd. BUT if I cant rent them,lets tax the*****out of them or tear th em down.Is there really a mayor
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Katabatic
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10-13-08 9:12 PM
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atoddh.......yes, efforts are being made. But you must know that Wheeling is not the only city to find itself in this situation. Consequently, competition is especially fierce for those rare situations that present themselves. However I have it on good authority that strong efforts are being made on our behalf by a surprising source.
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atoddh
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10-13-08 4:43 PM
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PCS: We are looking at 75 or even 100 million in lost value-added payroll.There is lots of talk about "economic development" and action such as buying the vacant G.C.Murphy building for no reason. But what about replacing the hundreds of lost well paid industrial jobs with new ones. Will that be addressed? Is an effort being made at all?
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atoddh
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10-13-08 1:09 PM
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The W-P situation will call for some dramatic moves to prevent a major-and perhaps final- decline of Wheeling and the area.Will those in power - including the Mayor - take take action or just let things go which has been the case previously.
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GETACLUE
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10-13-08 10:08 AM
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tmoore 10-13-08 7:54 AM »Report Abuse That 7:30 to 7 move and second floor to first floor move are game changers. ...............LMAO!!!
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tmoore
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10-13-08 7:54 AM
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That 7:30 to 7 move and second floor to first floor move are game changers.
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EbZane
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10-13-08 5:58 AM
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If this Mayor had any humility, he would have said that his accomplishments over his first hundred days have been less-than promised. IMHO, his list of accomplishments are juvinile, and his actions of secrecy and closed-door B.S. negates any credibilty that he had. He seems to act as if he is still a legislator working the floor. He has a long-long way to go before he can begin touting his accomplishments to the media and the public.
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atoddh
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10-12-08 9:23 PM
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Readers:Do you think that City officials and County Commisioners would pursue an opportunity for significant new industry - if offered - or do you think they are satisfied with the status quo?
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Katabatic
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10-12-08 8:12 PM
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Friendly, you may call me Mr. Mayor. It's not accurate, but if you insist.......... "Katabatic" definition can be found on Wikipedia. Have a nice evening........
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atoddh
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10-12-08 6:03 PM
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The Orrick project is an excellent one.It worked because there was an interested and motivated private firm involved up front. Just buying property such as Murphys and renovating buidings without a tenant as was done at Stones does not work.A private party - or tenant - must be in place first.Banks always require this on commercial loans. The "if you build it - or demolish it - they will come model" has been a huge expensive flop. In Wheeling,every effort should be made at adaptive reuse.The antique buildings is what the City has to offer.
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friendlycity
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10-12-08 6:01 PM
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Was away for awhile and things went a little weird. Kat, denials aren't necessary for those that want to just spread rumors and non factual information. This is a blog but you are definatly out of bounds on that one. But as long as we are on the subject, why don't you just go by "Mayor" instead of hiding behind Katabatic. What is a Katabatic anyway?
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Katabatic
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10-12-08 5:10 PM
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You didn't hear any denials, did you ?
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gabound
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10-12-08 3:59 PM
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katabatic, are you telling us that friendlycity is the police chiefs family?
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atoddh
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10-12-08 2:49 PM
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McKenzie is somewhat of a victim and powerless as he is surrounded by non-elected,non-profit agencies that actually control the money and policy for development.
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atoddh
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10-12-08 2:21 PM
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The Ohio Valley is about to lose upwards of 100 million/year in industrial payroll with the decline of employment at W-P and dependent businesses in 2009.This is a huge,huge set back.Retail(Highlands) and service will decline as well.This is over one quarter billion in negative economic impact to a small City and area.The blue collar payrolls support the Ohio Valley. Mr.McKenzie and the Commissioners will have to make some bold steps, now, at new industry/business development to save what is left of Wheeling.This was done in Clarksburg(now booming),for example,and could happen in Wheeling.Let's hope they are open to some new ideas and players.Those in charge during the last couple of decades,despite spending tens of millions in public funds,have not been successful.The City is still in serious decline.
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atoddh
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10-12-08 2:04 PM
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Re:The Capital:$70,000 was spent on yet another "plan" for Downtown in which the Capital was to be the centerpiece.In addition,a 60,000+ study was done on the feasibility of the Capital.This was apparently negative(to be expected) and the results are being kept secret and lied about. The TIF plan was intentionally designed to ommit any private participation in the Capital even though the venue has always been a private operation. The City and "interested parties" want to control everything and do not want private operators but are not capable of doing the development(e.g.Victorian Mall.)Accordingly nothing happens.
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Wheeling999
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10-12-08 1:11 PM
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Mayor McKenzie is quite a tool. If he really made changes, we wouldn't need an article about these alleged changes in the city.
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wv26003
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10-12-08 12:08 PM
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I still believe it's unethical for Andy McKenzie to have taken his seat as Mayor of Wheeling without first resigning from the State Senate.
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EllisWyatt
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10-12-08 12:08 PM
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In 100 days, meetings were changed from 7:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Now THAT is an accomplishment to brag about. The public sector is VERY efficient.
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friendlycity
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10-12-08 11:37 AM
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Done. At least for now.
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friendlycity
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10-12-08 11:33 AM
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Check a couple of old articles about this mayor. The one that concerned me the most and we should all be aware of is that he never mentioned anything about the City Charter in his campaign. Then the article of May 15, 2008 was printed. Go back and look it up. IT should really scare you. I MADE THIS STATEMENT THEN, AND STAND BY IT EVEN MORE NOW. This article is about our new mayor and his first order of business. The sad reality is that the comments are consistent with a political agenda, not about the progress of Wheeling. Wheeling is not a strong Mayor form of government. Citizens of Wheeling wanted it that way, evident of the last charter election. The only conclusion that I have been able to draw is that the new mayor is about “POWER”. He doesn’t have it, and if he has his way most of his time will be spent trying to change the charter to get it. The city of Wheeling has a stable budget, excellent services, and administrative leadership.
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