In Paden City two are vying for the position of recorder: Genelle Ferrebee and Larry Shepherd.

Genelle Ferrebee has lived in Paden City since October 1961 and has worked 20 plus years at the Bank of Paden City as assistant vice president and loan officer.

She was married to the late James “Tex” Ferrebee for 31 years and had a son, Jim Ferrebee, who lives in Paden City with his wife Mary and daughter Jenna. Her son has 20 plus years in the United States Air Force and this fall will be activated and sent out of the country, his fifth time. Her daughter Leslie lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband Pal, daughter Sofie, and son EJ.

She has worked on several projects for the grade school, high school, band, and athletic boosters. She is an honorary member of the Paden City Class of 1958 and an active member of the VFW Auxiliary, Ladies of the Moose, and the First Christian Church.

Shepherd is the current recorder, having been appointed to this position on March 30. Before this, he was the Paden City Utility Clerk since October 2003, responsible for the utility billing and banking for the city. Prior to that, he was the assistant to both the recorder and utility clerk since September 2001. As secretary/treasurer of the Paden City Sanitary Board, Shepherd has been helping to secure a $2 million loan for the rehabilitation of our sanitary sewer collection system. Prior to being appointed recorder, Shepherd was a member and briefly president of the Paden City Development Authority.

Shepherd is the father of two wonderful children at home; Emily, an upcoming junior at West Liberty University, and Doug, and upcoming junior at Paden City High School.

Shepherd is a 1977 graduate of Paden City High School and attended West Virginia Northern Community College from 1980 to 1982. At WVNCC, Shepherd was elected Student Body President of the New Martinsville Campus and also elected Student Representative to the former West Virginia Board of Regents.

His hobbies include being an FCC licensed amateur radio operator (ham), collecting antique radios, and Trombonist with the St Marys Community Concert Band.

If you were given $50,000 to spend on the city in any manner you wish, what would you do with it and why?

Ferrebee: As with any large expenditure, the people of Paden City have the right to speak and provide suggestions on how they would like to see the money allocated. Some recommendations that I would offer include increasing the number of campsites at the park with sewer hookups and enclosing the large shelter for different venues that will generate additional revenue. Another includes a street improvement project that includes pavement and street light repairs to aid in the safety of our community. I will prioritize all recommendations and begin feasibility studies to determine the impact, resources, and return on investment. As with any project, it is important to keep the community informed and provide them with the results of the studies and the projects selected to implement. It is also important to note that the return on investment may mean increased revenue or an increase in pride for our community.

Shepherd: Only the city council has the authority to decide were to spend funds. However, council might wish to consider funding projects such as:

-An engineering study of the storm drainage concerns on Ninth Avenue.

-Earmarking a portion of the funds for the legal fees and labor costs associated with the cleanup of abandoned properties.

-Using all or a portion of the funds as ‘seed’ money for use in matching grants.

-Use the funds to pay down the balances on outstanding loans, saving money in the long term by not spending as much in interest payments.

Name one city issue you would like to see addressed and how specifically you would work to rectify it.

Ferrebee: I will submit a formal recommendation to city council on why it is important to correct the storm sewer system in order to handle the run-off water. The recommendation will include a footprint of a workable sewer systems comparative of working systems in surrounding communities, efficiencies gained by run-off management, impact to homeowners, resources required, and savings realized to update the sewer system. I will apply for available grants and review all other funding that is available to put this project in motion.

Shepherd: The Recorder’s office management system needs to be brought fully into the 21st Century. The current system is only partly updated to computer-based management. The entire process must be brought into line with modern concepts of office activity. The cost of this transition will mostly be the time it will take to rid the system of paper-based forms and to fully utilize the power of the computer system that we currently have. Since being appointed recorder two months ago, I have spent most of my time getting accustomed to how this office system currently functions and how it can be used and improved in the future. As I gain experience in the duties of recorder, I will make the changes needed to bring greater efficiency to this office, the city administration, and to our citizens.

What makes you the best person for this job?

Ferrebee: I have belonged to this community since 1961 and this is my home. I have an opportunity to implement forward-thinking, long term goals that will support our community for generations to come. I will take this position seriously and will be prudent will all decisions as I am working for the people of this great town. I will follow the city, county, and state laws; find ways to secure additional funding; and maintain good records of all funds. Most importantly, work for the citizens of Paden City.

Shepherd: I was appointed recorder on March 30. For almost the entire month of April, I continued the duties of my former position as utility clerk while at the same time training myself in the duties and responsibilities of being recorder. By studying, working weekends and after-hours, I have been able to accomplish the various tasks required by city code of this position. My interest and background in governmental service, along with my current ‘on-the-job-training’ as recorder, makes me entirely suitable for this position.

I have spent the last eight years working with and for the people of Paden City. Greeting our citizens every month at the utility office has always been a great pleasure to me and I have always tried to make a difference in any position that I have occupied. Due to the vacancy in the recorder’s office, I left my position as utility clerk to take on the task of training myself in my new role as recorder. To my friends and neighbors that I have met over the years in the utility office, I say that you can expect from me the same level of professionalism and dedication to service as recorder as you were accustomed to when I was utility clerk.