Novotney: Election Day Is About the Voters’ Vision for Wheeling

The next mayor to serve the Friendly City will be, of course, the individual who receives the most support in the popular vote on May 14^th.

It’s as simple as A-B-C, 1-2-3, right? And this time around, since there are six candidates, the next mayor likely will not receive more than 50 percent at the ballot box. That is why the very last thing this upcoming Election Day in Wheeling should be is a popularity contest based on outright lies and manipulative misinformation.

Because it’s out there. More than usual, in fact. And it’s not just “negative campaigning.” While the exact origin of this “attack-at all-cost-and-apologize-later” mentality is unknown, far too often it appears aimed at destroying reputations and careers. A solid example is the smear campaign adopted by U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney in 2020 when he defeated David McKinley for the congressional seat that represents the Northern Panhandle Unfortunately, it seems the strategy has spread to the municipal level in 2024.

So, here’s something of a voter’s guide of questions you’ll need to answer for yourself in order to decipher the deception. It’s the only way to become an educated voter.

• > Do you know why each of the six candidates are running for this office?
• > What do you feel Wheeling can become and which candidate do you believe can lead a collective conversation to get us there?
• > Will you vote for a candidate or for the future of Wheeling?
• > Have you researched the criticisms levied by a candidate against another so you know whether the allegation or are true or false?
• > You do realize not everything you read on social media is true, right? 

The next mayor will guide an important portion of the transition that’s been taking place since local businessman Nick Sparachane served from 2000-2008. Andy McKenzie followed Sparachane by concentrating on private-sector development during his two terms as mayor, and the outgoing Glenn Elliott depended on taxpayer dollars to finance a parking garage and overdue facilities for public safety agencies.

What’s next Wheeling? 

Well, that’s up to each voter and their own vision of what Wheeling can become next, of course, and hopefully they head to the polls as educated as can be.