Mayor Glenn Elliott: Wheeling defined more by its future | News, Sports, Jobs


WHEELING — Mayor Glenn Elliott during his annual State of the City address turned a spotlight on several people in the community who — in their own unique ways — have helped pave the road to a brighter future for the Friendly City.

Elliott delivered what he described as his “penultimate” State of the City speech on Tuesday before a packed crowd inside the showroom of Wheeling Island Casino Hotel Racetrack. The mayor, who is completing his second and final term in office, is expected to deliver one last State of the City address next July.

And the mayor said he is truly looking forward — not just to his swan song as Wheeling’s chief orator and cheerleader, but to what lies ahead for a city that is clearly in the midst of a significant transformation.

“Let me state what should be obvious to anyone who drove here for today’s event — Wheeling very much remains a city under construction,” Elliott said, making note of the laundry list of multimillion-dollar construction projects that continue to take place in the city.

With orange barrels and construction equipment around nearly every turn, Wheeling’s promise for a better tomorrow is backed by a mosaic of work zones that envelop nearly every neighborhood in the city today.

Elliott highlighted the ongoing $215 million Interstate 70 Bridges project that is heading into its final phases, the $17.9 million renovation of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the recently completed relocation of Nailers Way and the forthcoming Downtown Streetscape Project — a long-awaited state project for which bids were opened earlier in the day in Charleston. A $1.8 million citywide paving contract is also slated to move forward this fall.

Aside from projects on roads and bridges, the city also has eyes on other public and private investments that are reshaping both Wheeling’s future and its skyline. From the Doris on Main apartment complex and the new Market Street Parking Garage — both of which are currently coming out of the ground, to the new headquarters for both the Wheeling Police and Wheeling Fire departments, the new Gateway Park on Wheeling Island, major renovations to the Edgington Lane Playground, the planned development of Robrecht Riverfront Park and a myriad of other projects — it’s clear that major investments are being made into the city’s future.

The mayor challenged everyone to keep their focus trained on great things to come.

“I know that there remain many in our community and probably some in this room who are convinced that downtown Wheeling’s best days are confined to the distant past, and that no future without the literal reincarnation of G.C. Murphy’s and the Stone & Thomas Tea Room is worth even discussing,” he said. “We are a city rich in history and heritage, and as a people, we are prone to nostalgia.”

Elliott recalled his own fond memories of watching fireworks from atop the Wharf Parking Garage and shopping from store to busy retail store through a downtown bustling with people.

“There is value in remembering and even celebrating our past, but when taken too far, our obsession with yesteryear can be problematic,” Elliott said. “Too often we define what is possible in Wheeling sole by looking to our past.”

The mayor issued this challenge: “Please try not to let your memories of Wheeling cloud your dreams for Wheeling,” he said. “The state of the city is bright, and for the first time in many generations, defined more by its future than by its past. So buckle up.”

THIS YEAR’S HONOREES

Several local community leaders were recognized during the mayor’s State of the City address on Tuesday. Many honorees were present during the event and were joined by family members at tables adorned with plaques inscribed with details of their contributions to the community.

The sixth annual Gateway Award recipient was former Wheeling Mayor Jack Fahey, who also served many years as a member of city council, the Ohio County Commission and the West Virginia House of Delegates, among other boards and commissions. Fahey was saluted for his passionate public service stemming from the early 1970s, with career highlights that included his work on the Wheeling Creek Watershed Project, the City Charter review, and the formation of and his subsequent induction into the Wheeling Hall of Fame.

The 11th annual Community Spirit Award was presented in honor of the late John Nanny, a Marine veteran and active community advocate who died this year at the age of 79. Nanny was well-known throughout the Wheeling area for his passionate support of veterans, military families and the youth of the community. He also co-founded Youth Services System and served as its president for 14 years, founded the West Virginia Youth Advocate Program, served as president of St. John’s Children’s Home and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Wheeling, and was past commander of American Legion Post 1.

Other honorees during the 2022 State of the City included:

— David H. McKinley, founder of Wheeling-based investment firm McKinley Carter Wealth Services and head of McKinley Architecture and Engineering, for his strategic vision and strong commitment to the future of Wheeling. The mayor also noted McKinley’s leadership most recently to bring an $8 million renovation to the historic Fort Henry Club.

— Dean Connors, local businessman and property owner whose investments have transformed several vintage downtown buildings into attractively renovated and fully occupied multi-level structures. He also has helped breathe a new life and vibrancy into The Plaza on Market.

Betsy Sweeny, director of heritage programming for Wheeling Heritage, who brought national attention to Wheeling as the face of a new generation invested in renovating historic buildings. She was applauded for “framing the story of Wheeling’s potential in a way that is accessible to people everywhere.”

— Bill Cornforth, longtime teacher, high school theater program director and speech team coach. Cornforth was recognized for leading the Wheeling Park High School speech team to 42 consecutive state championships and for earning an honorable mention among theater educators across the nation this past year after former students submitted his name for consideration for a Tony Award.

— Dr. William Mercer, family physician who not only served as a former health officer for the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department but also helped create Project HOPE, providing medical assistance to the local homeless population. He was also recognized for creating the Joe Too Cool to Smoke program to educate youth about the harmful effects of smoking.

— Loma Nevels, retired assistant superintendent at the Wheeling Water Department, who blazed a trail in the city as Wheeling’s first female and first Black supervisor at any level of city government. Nevels, who was unable to be present during Tuesday’s event, currently serves as president of the board of the House of Carpenter and is an active member of the Wheeling Human Rights Commission.

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