BY DAVID McCAULEY
I am excited to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Buckhannon during the fast approaching 2016 election. With 33 years of service to our City, primarily as City Attorney, I possess the knowledge, experience, leadership, vision, decisiveness, and passion to help our community attain its next level of success.
I have consistently demonstrated my care for and engagement in our community from my service and leadership with a number of organizations and agencies, including the Buckhannon Lions Club, the United Way, the Strawberry Festival, the Main Street Project, the Salvation Army, Upshur Community Alcohol Reduction Effort (UCARE), the Buckhannon-Upshur Work Adjustment Center, and Little League Baseball. I was very active in youth baseball here for about 10 years. On a number of summer evenings you’ll find me chaperoning high school and middle school pool parties at our high school.
I’ve actively supported our Upshur County schools having worked with others to pass and maintain our school levies here since the late 1990s. I am a strong proponent of our Stockert Youth Center and its many activities, but especially the SYC after-school and physical recreational programs. Having instructed courses at West Virginia Wesleyan College for 33 years, I have a life-long commitment to education at all levels.
I am highly supportive of local business. I will work hard to assist existing businesses in growing and expanding, while working with others and especially the leaders of our Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority, to attract new business and better jobs to our area. I crafted a number of innovative and business-friendly ordinances during my tenure as City Attorney. I firmly believe in continuing current, B & O exemptions for small business which is the life-blood of our community. It’s very important that our public utilities continue to be postured to meet the needs of existing and new business. I am committed to bringing more visitors to our community, and will work closely with the CVB to expand tourism in our area as we highlight our community’s charm and many attractions.
I will work with all of our other leaders to advance and promote our community. I have a long, established record of working well with county government, school system, private business, and college officials, while partnering in many projects.
I am thoroughly familiar with all of our municipal operations. My knowledge and experience will foster expedient growth and improvements for our City. I am opposed to new taxes. I will not appeal to our citizens for increased service or utility fees unless it is deemed absolutely necessary after a very careful analysis of needs to maintain our excellent services for our residents and businesses.
I am health conscious, and will continue to advance programs that will enhance the well-being of all of our residents from the youngest to our most senior of citizens. It is vital that we maintain and improve our facilities such as our parks and river trail for everyone’s use. Our sidewalks also need to be maintained and improved to encourage everyone to get out and exercise more.
I promise to be visible and available to our residents. Everyone who seeks to be involved in the growth and improvement of our community will be encouraged to participate and share their ideas. I will be respectful and all-inclusive as ideas are thoroughly discussed before they are implemented.
Like so many of our residents, I, too, am very committed to family. My wife Cathy is a long-time counselor in our school system. I have helped to rear five children, and those who know me best, and pardon the cliche- know that the sun rises and sets upon my five grandchildren, all of whom live in our area. I want all of our citizens’ children and grandchildren to enjoy better opportunities here in education, employment, and recreation. I look forward to working with you and for you to further improve our quality of life in Buckhannon.