(Editor’s Note: Five questions were distributed to each of Wheeling’s 23 candidates and incumbents running for a council seat or for the mayor’s position, and the men and women were invited to offer their answers for publication free of charge. As explained to them, the articles will appear in the order the replies were received.)
Loma Nevels, Candidate, Ward 2
Her employment began with writing parking tickets, but Loma Nevels did not stop there as her career with the city of Wheeling extended 31 years.
While working for four different city managers, the 67-year-old Nevels worked in the finance department before becoming the assistant supervisor of Wheeling’s water department. In that position she has worked with business licenses, B&O Taxes, fire service fees, and also the water rate increase that funded the construction of a new, $32 million water treatment plant in the Warwood section of Wheeling.
Nevels has been married to the Rev. Willie Nevels since 1977, and she has been a member of his church for the past 25 years where she has served as the Sunday School superintendent, a teacher of adult classes, and a member of two different choirs.
Her campaign platform includes honesty and accountability, and Nevels insists that she will be dependable to those she represents. She is a longtime resident of Wheeling Island, one of four areas within the confines of the second ward.
Along with Wheeling Island, the district also includes the Fulton neighborhood, most of downtown, and North Wheeling. Ward 2 is bordered by the first, third, and fourth wards.
Why have you chosen to run for City Council at this time?
I’ve chosen to run at this time for city council because of the fact that I am a city employee retiree. My good works at that time assure me to do good work in a leadership role. I am just as interested in the citizens of Wheeling now as I was then. Obviously as a city employee, I could not run for city council.
What do you feel are the most critical issues in your ward at this time?
Critical issues in the second ward are dilapidated houses, speeding, and drug activity.
How do you feel you can improve the city of Wheeling by representing your ward?
I can and will improve the city of Wheeling by leading openly and informing the citizens of all information regarding any plans and any problems when they first arise. Legally speaking, whatever business is transacted and decided upon should be shared with the citizens as soon as possible.
If elected, how do you plan to communicate with your constituents?
I will communicate with my constituents through my Facebook Timeline and by telephone and meetings if warranted. If there are any other ways, they can let me know.
What is the main message you wish to convey to the voters in your ward?
My main message to the second ward voters is that I am able and capable to represent you as a member of the Wheeling City Council. I’m really qualified to assist in leading the city of Wheeling into a prosperous future. If I could not do the above, I would not run for any office. As of Feb. 29 in Ohio County there were 12,672 registered Democrats, 9,107 registered Republicans, and 5,237 registered no-party affiliates. Somewhere in those numbers are enough votes for me to win.
(Photos provided by the candidate)
