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Judy Guye Swanson: Enforcement agency made a difference

Swanson

Editor’s note: The following is the second in a series of articles detailing responses of former mayors of Elkins to the challenges currently facing the city. The series will continue through this week.

From Staff Reports

ELKINS — Former Elkins mayor Judy Guye Swanson said an enforcement agency that met regularly when she was in office made inroads into the city’s dilapidated properties problem, but the agency was disbanded after she left City Hall.

Swanson’s responses to The Inter-Mountain’s questionnaire for former Elkins mayors are listed below:

1) What years did you serve as mayor of Elkins?

2003-2009.

2) Can you recall what the single largest complaint you had while you were mayor was, and how were you able to rectify the problem?

One of the main issues I was presented with was the DEP had directed the city of Elkins to start correcting the overflow problems that occurred after a rain. The sewer plant was not large enough to take in all the flow, as our system was a combined sewer and surface water run off system. The overflow was discharging sewer water at the runoff sights. The city was being fined for these problems created by run off.

I immediately started the expansion of our sewer plant and in 2006, the expansion of the plant was dedicated. The DEP was also very critical of the leachate from our landfill, and would not allow us to transfer it to our sewer plant, so we had to haul it to Clarksburg, which was very expensive. A long range plan was then started by Larry Riggleman, to show how these problems would be addressed. The combined sewer system had to be gradually separated so that surface water did not go to the sewer plant. This led to the large project of separating the sewer lines over the next 10 years, which was very costly.

3) Do you feel the new $37 million water plant in Elkins was a successful project and one that was handled responsibly? What would you have done to see the project was finished closer to the original budget?

I signed a contract for a new water plant in 2006 for about $13 million as I recall. The engineering company seemed to keep changing the design after I left office. I think the engineering company should have been held accountable for the ever-increasing cost of the plant.

4) Many area businesses were opposed to the 1 percent sales tax passed by City Council. Now the tax is in effect. What would be the best use of the new tax income?

It seems the city does not have enough income to keep pace with salaries, maintenance projects and equipment needs with the taxes they are allowed to access. The city has reached their maximum income and so the 1 percent tax is one way to keep up with the ever-increasing cost of living and perhaps have a small amount to keep the city clean and attractive, streets paved, dilapidated houses addressed and to fight the drug problem. I would like to see a splash park in the town square property so children could enjoy summer fun and attract more people to the town square area.

5) In your opinion, what is the best way for the city to be able pay its bills and keep taxes down?

The personal property taxes are at the maximum assessment, so those taxes can not go up. The city is trying to be accountable for the money it spends. The public needs to understand the departments that do not generate income, have to be paid from taxes, like the police department and street department. The water department, fire department and sewer department generate their own income. There seems to be a lot more city vehicles since I was in office.

6) Elkins is considering hiring a city manager. Was that option ever considered when you were mayor and, if so, why wasn’t one hired?

I don’t believe the charter allows for a city manager. Therefore the charter would need to be changed, which calls for a vote by the residents, I believe.

7) Buckhannon has a five-member city council, as do most cities the size of Elkins. Morgantown has a six-member city council and Morgantown is four times larger than Elkins. If Elkins creates a position for a city manager, should Elkins also reduce the number of city council seats?

If Elkins would create a city manager, I believe the charter would have to be changed to reduce the number of council seats. Therefore, I believe the number of seats should be reduced to help with the expense of a city manager.

8) If city council approves a city manager position, should current city council members and current city employees be disqualified to apply for this position?

I believe the city manager position should be open to those who have high qualifications for this position, and have had several years of previous experience as a city manager, so they can prove that they can handle the job.

9) Do you feel the managing of the city of Elkins has changed since you were the mayor and, if so, how?

Although the population has hardly changed since I was mayor, I feel managing the city has become more and more complex in all the regulations, liabilities and drug problems we now face. I feel my city council was very hard-working and transparent during my term. Any resident had the opportunity to address city council at the open meetings. I think it is entirely wrong not to allow residents to address city council if what they are wanting to speak about is not on the agenda.

10) What do you miss the most about being mayor of Elkins?

I miss the contact with the citizens and city employees. My door was always open and it was satisfying to try and help with problems. I was very proud of the image that the city of Elkins had. I feel in my small way, I was able to keep Elkins a thriving community. There were no empty storefronts, as the economy was holding its own and our proactive city was conducive to business.

11) What grade would you give the city in addressing dilapidated properties and what would you do differently, if anything?

I would give a grade of D to the city in addressing dilapidated houses these last eight years. I had an enforcement agency when I was mayor that met monthly for six years. We addressed each problem and the property owner was responsible to take care of the problem. That way we were able to keep up with the problems before they reached the number of dilapidated structures there is now. We had several vacant structures torn down that were causing grief to the neighbors. I was called the Gestapo by property owners that didn’t maintain their vacant structures. The administrations after me didn’t want an enforcement agency.

12) Are you in favor of annexing businesses and residential areas into the city? If so, where would be the best place to start?

I am very much in favor of annexing businesses into the city. My administration tried in many ways, offering Wal-Mart many incentives, but several business owners generated so much hatred against the city, the discussion of annexation was changed into trying to promote the good things about the city with the 2010 initiative. The businesses on the Five-lane benefit from the expenses the city of Elkins has to encumber to maintain Elkins as a viable city and a destination city.

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