DUNBAR, W.Va. — Eight candidates for the next mayor of Dunbar were interviewed Tuesday night by members of the Dunbar City Council in open session.
Ten people have submitted applications to replace former Mayor Terry Greenlee, who resigned last month to become deputy commissioner of the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Commission Administration.
Each person was given five minutes for an opening statement and was asked two questions from the council.
“Whatever we were giving them is going to amount to three-and-a-half years in office,” Ward 2 Councilman Harry Craigo said, referencing when the term would conclude.
The eight candidates that spoke were:
— Ward 4 Councilman Bill Cunningham;
— Ward 2 Councilman Rev. Gregory Hudson;
— Ward 1 Councilman Mike Scipio
— Mark Halburn, who operates a Putnam County news website;
— Dana Hayes, a former councilman;
— Virginia Nesselrotte, a retired Verizon employee, private art teacher and former candidate for city council;
— Sierra Sovine, a former city council candidate; and
— Lisa Wilkinson, who told council she has 32 years of experience as a state government employee.
Cunningham, Hudson and Scipio did not take part in asking questions, though each will be able to vote for who they believe the next mayor should be.
Rev. Lanny Coberly was not able to attend Tuesday meeting because he was out of the state. Council will interview him Thursday.
Former Mayor Jack Yeager’s wife, Barbara Yeager, spoke on his behalf as had recently been in an outpatient procedure. She did not answer any questions.
The candidates touched on economic opportunity in Dunbar, including the benefits of redeveloping Shawnee Park into a multi-sports complex. The Kanawha County Commission is leading that project.
Interim Mayor Scott Arnott said two of the biggest concerns he wants the next mayor to address is the city’s trash problem and lack of communication.
“If we had a local newspaper or a little newsletter for our town, I think that would help out a lot,” he said.
Arnott added he was impressed with all of the candidates.
“I’m still torn,” he said. “I’m not sure who I’m going to vote for yet.”
The council will select a mayor at its Aug. 21 meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.