As you read this question-and-answer article, you will come to realize the interviewee refers to himself as, “goofy.”
Well, OK, to be exact, he claims some of his friends believe he’s “goofy,” but think about it … why would this guy admit it? Or even bring it up again? Seriously, think about it. He’s the freakin’ director of public work and development for the City of Benwood, for crying out loud.
And let’s not forget, this is a gentleman who has announced his intentions to run as a Republican for Marshall County Commission. So, any mention of “goofy” is, well, goofy, right?
Wait. That makes it OK, doesn’t it? Well, anyone who knows David McLaughlin would tell anyone who asked two things. One, yes, he is kinda, sorta goofy. And two, it’s because he likes to make people smile.
Cornball? Sure. The truth? His friends insist.
So, here’s the skinny … the Marshall County Commission consists of three seats, and currently serving are Democrats John Gruzinskas, Scott Varner, and Mike Ferro. Gruzinskas barely retained his position in 2022, and now it’s Ferro whose term expires in 2024.
McLaughlin has worked in the public sector his entire professional career with the goal of staying in the Upper Ohio Valley, and now he wants to become a Commissioner so he can help address things like reversing population decline and the need he sees for an indoor athletic complex similar what’s located along Interstate 70 at The Highlands. He’s a proud father who is grateful his children had the chance to grow up where he did, and now McLaughlin wants to help other parents experience the same.
So, yeah, guess you can say he just wants to make them smile, too.
What would you say to anyone who says, “Why elect Dave? He may resign.”
First, I will tell you when elected, I will serve out my six-year term. I’ve had a couple people ask me this question during the early stages of my campaign. The question was asked because I resigned my position as Marshall County Magistrate in 2019.
Resigning the position was not something I wanted to do, it’s something I had to do for my family.
In 2019, my family was dealing with serious medical issues. My wife, Laura Gouldsberry McLaughlin was diagnosed with having multiple blood clots in both her lungs and both calves. Prior to this news, our son Ronnie had been, and continues to this day, fighting a rare life altering illness called Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (formally called Wegner’s).
Unfortunately, the medical insurance we had at that time was not the best, and the medical bills were piling up. I was not actively looking for other employment, but while looking through the medical invoices one day at work I received a call from Benwood officials. The conversation was not one that I expected.
Benwood had asked me to consider a position with the city, and if I accepted the health benefits would completed solve our family’s medical bill issues. I thought long and hard, but I knew in my heart that family came first, so I decided it was in the best interest of my family to resign and accept the position of Director of Operations & Development with the City of Benwood.
Instead of moving away from the Upper Ohio Valley after college, what were your reasons to remain in Marshall County?
As a child I loved growing up in Marshall County. My family lived in Benwood until I was about 11 years old, then we moved to the City of McMechen. I remember how fun it was going to the local pools during the summer, how us kids played day and night outside, and how everyone’s families were so close. I have always loved the closeness of the communities I grew up in.
I wanted my kids to experience the good times I had as a child. I knew if I stayed in the Upper Ohio Valley, specifically Marshall County, my kids would be safe and enjoy their childhood. Anyone that knows me will tell you, Dave loved being educated by Marshall County Schools. I had several teachers that I credit for my success, they didn’t give up on me, they pushed me. I wanted my kids to be educated in the same school system. I wanted nothing more than for my kids to be Monarchs!
And everything I wanted for my kids happened. My kids were raised in Glen Dale where they got to experience it all – from the kids playing outside until dark, to the kids enjoying the local public pool; my kid’s childhood was all that I wanted and more.
Over the years I had several opportunities to leave the valley, however I choose to stay home and have made it my mission to do whatever I can to convince others to stay or move back to the Upper Ohio Valley. Marshall County is a great place to raise a family so it’s my goal to make it a better place to raise a family. I want nothing more than for our children to stay home.
However, in order for them to stay, there are several issues that need to be addressed. When elected, I will work hard to address the several issues affecting our county, specifically the mass exodus of population. According to the US Census, Marshall County has lost 7.6 percent of its population from 2010-2020. Only one other county in our state has lost more population than Marshall County.
The Census estimates that number to grow before the next Census is completed. That is over twice the amount of our states average of 3.2 percent. There are several reasons people have been leaving, including jobs and housing. We must think outside the box and rebuild Marshall County. We must work hand and hand with our cities. We must come up with a way to rebuild our communities.
Every year our cities demolish homes, losing residents, losing students, losing taxes paid to our schools, losing customers to our local public utilities, andf losing customers to our local small businesses. This must stop.
What are your best ideas when it comes to how to add population inside the borders of Marshall County?
First, I would ask the commissioners to establish a task force. This task force would include officials from our local municipalities, state and local elected officials, local volunteer fire officials and residents from all over our county who have the same goal, build Marshall County.
As a commission we must work closely with local property owners to develop their land. We have large plots of vacant prime land in our county that can be developed, thus creating jobs. Marshall County needs to be promoted nationwide; we have what developers need to make their businesses successful. Marshall County has the river, we have railroads, we have a highway that runs through our county, we are within proximity to the interstate, we are fortunate to have the Pittsburgh Airport nearby. Our residents have long supported our school system, Marshall County Schools facilities are some of the best in the state, they are ready to accept as many students as possible.
We need to work more closely with local business owners, offer them incentives to improve their businesses. Whether it’s a remodel, a rebuild or just a facelift, we need to have a plan in place to help local business owners succeed. Local businesses are the heart of our county.
I will make it a priority to meet with the governing bodies of each of our municipalities to see what we, as a commission, can do to help their cities increase population. I know for a fact that these communities have ideas, they need county resources to help them. Our cities are small, their resources are very limited, so, as a commission, we need to collaborate with them. Our cities are the heart of our county, assisting these cities must be a priority if we want to be serious about building back our county.
Our cities need to be built back up; we need to work with our cities to offer incentives for building new residential neighborhoods.
Our county must provide recreation opportunities to our residents. I would love to see our county to be home an indoor recreational complex. Yes, there is a complex at The Highlands, however, to build our population this is another piece of the puzzle that needs to happen.
Working in conjunction with our cities and/or private developers, we can make this happen.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a law enforcement officer in my local community.
After graduating from John Marshall in 1992, I was fortunate to land a part-time job as an emergency dispatcher for the Benwood Police Department. This job gave me the opportunity to learn more about the profession and allowed me to attend college at the same time. It was in 1996 when I was finally provided with the opportunity to attend the West Virginia State Police Academy.
I continued with this profession until 2013 when I was elected to serve as a Marshall County Magistrate. I loved these jobs; they allowed me to serve my community where I met so many people. Those who know me well know I am a people person and I love talking to and helping others.
Now, my son Tanner has followed in my footsteps and serves the residents of Marshall County as a Deputy Sheriff.
What movie have you watched most?
Well, this might be the hardest question of the five. I love watching comedy. I have watched just about every movie Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell have starred in, and way too many times according to my wife. This may partially explain my personality, as I am, according to others, way too goofy and always trying to make others laugh.
I know the movie I have watched the most because we watch it every year around the same time, and that is Elf. Elf debuted in 2003 and I bet I have watched that movie at least five times every year since. The movie is a great comedy that, and no matter what mood you are in, you will be laughing for the next hour and thirty-seven minutes.
