Three candidates are seeking the mayor’s seat in New Martinsville: George Antonik, Lucille Blum, and Steven (Steve) Bohrer.

George Antonik was born and grew up in Powhatan Point. He and his wife are graduates of Powhatan High School. He also attended Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio, and West Virginia Northern Community College in New Martinsville.

The Antoniks moved to New Martinsville in 1965 and he operated a business, the Sunoco Station at the five-way light on W.Va. 2, for 18 years. Antonik is retired from the Ohio Edison, Burger Plant, Shadyside, Ohio. His most enjoyable part-time job is the crossing guard at the New Martinsville School.

Antonik’s wife Judy is a employee with service to Dr. Edward Emch. The Antoniks have two sons, David and John, both graduates of Magnolia High School and West Virginia University. Lt. Colonel David Antonik is a career U.S. Marine Corps Officer having served in Somalia and Iraq. John Antonik is the director of Internet services, sports information department, West Virginia University.

George Antonik is an Honorable Discharge veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He is an Orthodox Christian and his wife is a convert; they attend services regularly at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Barton, Ohio, where he serves on the church council. George Antonik was a member of city council from 1999-2003.

Lucille Blum is a graduate of Magnolia High School and West Virginia University. Her teaching career was in Wetzel County as a science teacher. her husband and she had three children including Tom Jr. (deceased), Troy, and Tracy. She is a grandmother to Alexis and Sydney Blum.

Blum has been involved in charitable and community organizations for over 40 years. In the past, she has served as president of the Women’s Civic League and sat on the board of Wetzel County Mental Health Association and the Citizens Scholarship.

Over the years Blum was honored to receive the several awards. She was selected as Wetzel County Teacher of the Year, GNMDC Citizen of the Year, Rotary Centennial Service Award for Professional Excellence, and Wetzel-Tyler Distinguished Citizen of the Year by Ohio Valley Boy Scouts of America.

Currently Blum continues to be actively involved with Open Door Ministries Inc., Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce, Wetzel County Hospital Foundation, and Wheeling Health Right. She attends St. Ann’s Episcopal Church where she is a reader.

Steven (Steve) A. Bohrer is a lifelong resident of West Virginia. After attending West Virginia University he relocated to Glen Dale and then moved to New Martinsville in 1971. Since then he is proud to call New Martinsville “home.” He is the son of Virginia Bohrer and the late Arthur Bohrer.

Steve is married to Patty (Catasein). They have two daughters, Stephaney (Bradenton, Fla.) and Sarah (New Martinsville) and a grandson, Jacob, currently attending Wheeling Jesuit University.

Steve retired from AEP with nearly 40 years of service. His responsibilities included training and managing maintenance turnarounds while supervising maintenance crews. Since retirement he keeps in touch with friends at AEP with an annual barbeque at his home along the Ohio River.

Steve was elected to three terms (12 years) to city council; is a member of Rotary International, currently serving on the Board of Directors; belongs to Moose International, Lodge #941 where he served as Prelate and on the Degree Team; and is past president of Sistersville Country Club, having served on the Board of Directors for five years. In 2006 Steve was honored with a New Martinsville Lifetime Achievement Award.

Steve and Patty are members of St. Vincent de Paul Parish.



New Martinsville looks to receive a rather large influx of money from hydroelectric projects at Willow Island and New Cumberland. The current administration wants to use that money first to retire the city building’s mortgage. Do you agree with that? If not, how would you like to see the city use the funds? If so, how would you like to see the city use the rest of the proceeds?





Antonik: The statement and question of a large influx of money sounds very optimistic. After Burgess & Niple are paid, hopefully there will be enough money left to retire the City Building mortgage, and that is what should be done. The royalty money from the Hannibal Hydro was supposed to retire this debt as a priority, years ago. It never happened. If there is additional money, it should be put in a contingency fund for emergencies and for equipment and vehicles for the Police, Parks and Street Departments who are woefully underfunded.



Blum: The historic practice of refinancing the debt on our city building must be stopped. A vigilant program of spending the city proceeds from the hydroelectric projects must be planned by city government; the views of the citizens must be heard. Our good citizens have waited too long to be informed of and included in the financial planning for New Martinsville. It is time they are rewarded for their patience.

In speaking with citizens about their concerns, I have found that the majority want the money used to retire the $1.8 million city building mortgage. Council must develop a plan, present it to the public, for remaining money from the “influx of money” and from the monies no longer needed to make the $335,000 annual payment toward the city building debt.

We must develop a budget which includes rewards for our citizens. The problems on W.Va. 2 and a plan for paving our streets should be addressed. The infrastructure situations within the city are in dire need of attention, as is the equipment used by city employees. It is the responsibility of the mayor and the council to reward the citizens with a cleaner and better managed city.



Bohrer: I agree with using “hydro” money to retire the city building’s mortgage. The mortgage balance is $1.77 million at 4.1 percent interest. On June 1 the interest rate will increase to 4.8 percent. Over the remaining lifetime of the mortgage the city would pay almost $250,000 in interest. This money should be put to better use. To pay down this debt, the city has been making semiannual payments (June and December) from the Building Fund, approximately $332,000 per year. A portion of the Building Fund comes from annual operating fees received from the hydroelectric plant, amounting to $420,000. Once the mortgage is retired, this money will no longer be earmarked for the Building Fund and mortgage payments, but will become available for projects approved by city council.

I would like to see the city use the proceeds for:

—Neglected properties fund

—Street Department equipment, street resurfacing and repairs

—City parks maintenance and equipment

—Recreational amenities for citizens

My plan to accomplish this will be to meet with department heads to determine immediate need. Once this information is available we will prioritize it and, with council’s approval, attack the list.



Do you have a plan for progress in New Martinsville? Give some specific steps to achieve that goal?



Antonik: I have plans to encourage and maintain business in the Main Street and other downtown areas. Also the Riverside and New Martinsville Plaza. The Riverview Plaza has problems. I will personally work with Mr. Gumberg to bring in new business.

Can we attract a Reisbeck Market (great meat deli & bakery depts), a Big Lots, Ollies, Gabriel, Michaels, Jo Ann Fabric? I believe we can. My community project ideas are a skatepark for the youth. A bandstand downtown for all, a community activities center, a spray and splash water park for Brooklyn. A four lane highway from 1-70 to 1-77 thru New Martinsville Wetzel, Tyler, and Pleasants the orphan counties of the panhandle will go nowhere until this takes place. Probably too optimistic with our present leadership in Charleston and Washington.



Blum: A. The city council must first develop a plan for economic development with input from citizens. Our city government should work hand in hand with the Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce First Impressions project and Belomar to address the problems on W.Va. 2.

B. We need an aggressive plan to pave streets. The paving of specific areas of town each year for a five year period should be considered.

C. An ordinance written to require property owners to make needed corrections and improvements on littered property, buildings unfit for habitation, and property not mowed or managed should be adopted by council. A fine would be enforced if the complaint is not remedied within one month after the owner is notified by the Building Inspector.

D. The city departments should submit written requests for the most needed equipment and improvements. A five-year plan outlined by council and approved by department heads should be put in place.

E. As soon as feasible, a raise in pay and or benefits for city employees should be considered.

F. All of our city departments have excellent projects that should continue and be expanded to meet the financial and manpower challenges they face.



Bohrer: I do have a plan for progress in New Martinsville. To move our city forward it is necessary to be financially healthy and to improve and preserve our infrastructure to attract new business for economic growth.

To accomplish this, together with city council, I will develop a five-year plan that will encompass future revenue (New Cumberland Hydro), projects, and expenditures. We will revisit the plan annually and prioritize accordingly, and the plan will be published so that citizens have the opportunity to comment. Department heads will take the lead in these proceedings. I have experienced in industry and it holds true for city management that planning must include short- and long-term goals that can be met both financially and materially.

I am privileged to live on a block where the people care about one another. We look out for one another’s well being and property. I want this for all people of New Martinsville and will encourage city council to facilitate quarterly meetings that address the need of their wards. We should be proud to live in a community where we care about each other and work toward improving our neighborhoods.



What makes you the best person for this job?



Antonik: I served on city council from 1999-2003. I attend all city council meetings, and all other meetings of importance to the city and county. I know what is working and what is not. I am a Marine Corps Veteran. I am a leader, I solve problems. I get results. I refuse to grandstand or deal in foolishness.



Blum: I am the best candidate for mayor because I am honest, trustworthy, and have over 40 years experience in leadership and community service. To better serve as mayor, I will relinquish membership in all committees and service organizations to which I belong with the exception of Open Door Ministries. It is time to make changes concerning service to our citizens. Council meetings will be open to the public, and our community will be cleaned up.

After July 1, 2008, a financial audit will be completed by a certified public accountant with results being made public. A posting board will outline city projects, persons responsible, and progress of the project.

A mayor’s report will be submitted to the Wetzel Chronicle each week.

Council members will be encouraged to be available to the residents in their precinct and report concerns to council.

I will recommend that a grant writer be secured to seek out grants beneficial to the city.

A city attorney should be available to aid the decision making process concerning the hydroelectric projects, Allegheny Power, and city business. Mistakes cost money and can be avoided with professional guidance.

I will serve my beloved community with dedication, dignity, and enthusiasm.



Bohrer: I have experience and the ability to lead New Martinsville. In industry I managed multimillion dollar projects and supervised people to get jobs done on time and within budget. I know how to give respect and how to gain respect in return. I was elected to city council three terms; for 12 years I chaired the Electric Committee and served on the Finance Committee. Under my leadership, the Electric Department maintained electric rates among the lowest in the state and nation. Sometimes tough decisions have to be made by elected officials. I will guide council in considering these decisions wisely.

I listen when citizens talk about the things that aren’t being done by city government. I hope to change that to conversations about things that are being done. Under my leadership this can happen if there is open communication among elected officials, department heads, city employees, volunteers, and citizens.

Public service is an honor and privilege that requires the trust of the people. As your mayor, my goal will be to improve the city of New Martinsville and make it a model for municipalities to emulate.