This political season, we have witnessed a local election like no other. Buckhannon City Council candidate Matthew Kerner pulled a gun on an unarmed citizen after 2 other candidates (Shauna Jones and Scott Preston) aligned themselves as running with him as a “team.” Furthermore, these candidates (along with Councilman CJ Rylands) have been the preferred choice of Mayor David McCauley, who even reacted with laughter on social media regarding Kerner’s gun brandishing incident. This inappropriate laughter sent a clear message that Mayor McCauley indicated he took Kerner’s charges lightly, without much seriousness. The Buckhannon City Charter establishes that the Mayor is in charge of the City Police Department. Not only is it inappropriate for a government official to condone violence, it is highly unethical for the Mayor to issue any response of partiality to a criminal investigation within his department, especially favoring the perpetrator.
Kerner was not only charged for “brandishing a deadly weapon,” but he was also charged for being a “prohibited person possessing a firearm” for two felonies in California. These were serious offenses and these acts of violence and criminal behavior cannot be tolerated within our municipal government. These reasons, among others, have contributed to Mountaineer Journal compiling a list of endorsements for the 2020 Buckhannon City Election.
FOR MAYOR
Robbie Skinner has demonstrated significant leadership serving on Buckhannon City Council. While he was a proponent of the sales tax, along with Mayor McCauley, Skinner has voted against wasteful spending projects that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars in funding. Skinner is a right-of-center moderate, who desires to avoid controversial and divisive policy proposals, which will aid in uniting the community and restore our camaraderie.
Skinner also voted against an unconstitutional ordinance, presented by a Charleston lobbying firm, that sought to target faith-based businesses in Buckhannon. This ordinance would have prohibited people of faith from being able to freely exercise their religious beliefs in their day-to-day lives. Mayor McCauley proposed the ordinance, even after the policy had been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court’s Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission decision. Skinner upheld his oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, while McCauley fell short of his obligation.
Skinner was also the sole vote to oppose the purchase of a $200,000 parking lot, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During the March 19 city council meeting, Skinner stated, “I believe that we should hold off on this, certainly, until we know what’s going to happen relative to the health crisis that we’re facing right now, and the monies we may need available to help us as we go through the future. I still have concerns about this. I still would like to see a plan for it. I don’t like that we’re just moving so swiftly through this, without taking a step to consider what its full potential could be.”
The motive behind his vote demonstrated necessary consideration for the future, an examination of the potentially limited city funds (resulting from the COVID-19), and desiring to have a solid plan established for the property before purchase. These points demonstrated strong leadership abilities that are necessary to restore professionalism to our municipal government. For these reasons, we endorse Robbie Skinner for Mayor and recommend that he is elected on June 9th.
FOR CITY RECORDER
On June 7, 2019, Randy Sanders was appointed to serve as City Recorder and has performed the job exceptionally well. Sanders has recorded the business of the city professionally and thoroughly, with a selection of his work available on the City of Buckhannon’s website (http://buckhannonwv.org/about-the-city/city-council-minutes/). In terms of his political alignment, Sanders is a right-of-center moderate. Nevertheless, he has demonstrated a non-partisan role, exemplifying the non-partisan nature advised in the Buckhannon City Charter.
Sanders has also opposed proposing divisive ordinances, desiring that the city focuses primarily on the necessary operations to care for the people of Buckhannon. He is an experienced businessman, serving as the President and founder of Sanders & Associates, Inc., which has been a licensee of the Miss Universe Organization.
For these reasons, we endorse Randy Sanders for City Recorder and recommend that he is elected on June 9th.
FOR CITY COUNCIL
Councilwoman Pam Cuppari-Bucklew has been a proven conservative leader serving on city council. She has consistently opposed unnecessary tax and fee increases, at times when she has been the only vote. As a councilwoman, Cuppari-Bucklew has also defended Buckhannon residents’ constitutional rights, opposing ordinances that seek to divide our community by denying protections to faith-based businesses. For these reasons, we endorse Pam Cuppari-Bucklew for City Council, and recommend that she is elected on June 9th.
Jack Reger is a right-of-center candidate running for city council. Reger has proposed a fiscally conservative tax proposal to expand the $1,000,000 exemption, which would provide greater incentives to attract businesses to Buckhannon. As a result, this would improve Buckhannon’s overall business environment, attracting more jobs and promote economic growth. Reger has firmly expressed support for protecting Buckhannon residents’ constitutional rights, along with restoring the solidarity in our community. Furthermore, Reger has the experience serving as the former Assistant Superintendent of Upshur County Schools and working as the Chief Financial Officer for Monco Constructors. He is also a co-owner of A Governor’s Inn, located in downtown Buckhannon. Reger has the experience and wisdom to advance the City of Buckhannon, holding a list of qualifications that will serve as a major asset to the municipal government’s operations. For these reasons, we endorse Jack Reger for City Council, and recommend that he is elected on June 9th.
Shelia Sines is a conservative candidate running for city council. Sines has maintained a consistent message of improving Buckhannon’s business environment, opposing unnecessary taxes and fees, combating the local drug epidemic, maintaining our utilities, and investing in our city’s infrastructure. Sines has been a strong proponent of defending our constitutional rights, while presenting a message promoting the desire to unify Buckhannon. She has the experience of working at the Upshur County Courthouse, along with serving in private-sector supervisory positions. For these reasons, we endorse Shelia Sines for City Council, and recommend that she is elected on June 9th.