(Editor’s Note: The Wetzel Chronicle mailed questions to all political candidates in races of local significance. Their responses will be printed in the April 28 and May 5 editions of the Wetzel Chronicle in a simple question and answer format.)

Joey (Joe) Smith and Kathryn “Kay” Goddard are vying to represent the Second Ward on New Martinsville City Council.

Joey (Joe) Smith is running for the Second Ward council seat.

He has lived in the New Martinsville area all his life and has worked for the city for 29 years, 19 as a city police/fire dispatcher and for the last 10 years with the Water/Sewage Department.

He has served the community as a member of the New Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department, where he is the Deputy Fire Chief and President. He is responsible for the department’s city budget funds as well as its multi-award-inning fire prevention programs.

Joey (Joe) Smith

Change takes dedication, commitment, perseverance, experience, focus, and persistence; these are some of the characteristics he feels he possesses. He will speak for the citizens of the Second Ward, listen to their needs, and will not simply be a follower or a “yes-man”. He says he will work hard for his ward to achieve the greatest number of objectives that will make the community even better. He also promises to reach out to the councilmembers from other wards to collaborate on the objectives of the Second Ward together with the objectives of the other wards within the city to achieve that better community.

He and his wife, Denise Oblinger Smith, have three children, Amy Smith Wade, Eric Smith, and Kyle Smith; and five grandchildren.

Kathryn “Kay” Goddard, CPA, was born and raised in Wetzel County. She was Valedictorian of Magnolia High School’s class on 1978.She is a 1997 graduate of West Virginia Northern Community College with an Associate of Science in Business Administration, where she received the Outstanding Campus Graduate and Outstanding Accounting Graduate awards.She then attended West Virginia University and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accountancy, at which time she received the Faculty-Senior Accounting Student award.Goddard then passed the West Virginia Board of Accountancy’s exam and is now a licensed Certified Public Accountant.

She presently holds the position of Finance Director of the City of Moundsville, where she is responsible for the financial and budgetary aspects for the municipality.

She is the mother three: Justin Cain, 2010 graduate of WVU; Andrea Cain, 2010 graduate of WVU; and Lindsay Cain, 2010 graduate of Magnolia High School.She is a 20+ gallon (163 pints) blood donor and a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish.

Kathryn “Kay” Goddard

What would you propose to do with the current Bruce Pool situation as legislation has made it unusable in its current state?

Goddard: I propose for the Bruce Pool situation that an engineering firm be consulted to examine the pool’s condition and provide a cost estimate to bring it into compliance.With this information, we can then analyze available funding resources to make these required improvements.As a Certified Public Accountant, one of my main questions are “How are we going to pay for it?” Grants? Loans? General Fund expenditure? The best alternative will be recommended once the information is available.

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

Goddard: My plan for progress for New Martinsville to encourage economic development, I would consider a tax amnesty program.As a CPA, being fiscally responsible is a primary concern. I think a program may be developed that will not severely restrict general fund revenues while still being attractive to new businesses.I also support that Riverfront Development project currently under consideration and also the restoration of the historic New Martinsville Regatta.

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

Goddard: The one city issue I would like to see addressed is animal control. I am in support of employing animal control officer and providing this officer with the equipment needed to correct this nuisance situation. I would like a monthly report to monitor the program’s effectiveness.

Smith did not submit answers to the provided questionnaire.

The city of New Martinsville’s municipal election is on the county ballot. Early voting is taking place now at the Wetzel County Courthouse in New Martinsville, or ballots can be cast on Election Day, May 11. A list of precincts and polling places is on page 12B.