VIENNA — On election day the city of Vienna will feature three candidates running for mayor.
Chad Emrick
* Age: 46
* Address:
* Previous Offices Held: N/A
Emrick has not previously held office in Vienna but wants to see the city flourish. Emrick served in the United States Army for 25 years
“My goals are focused on improving the quality of life for all residents of Vienna by promoting economic growth, creating opportunities for small businesses, enhancing public safety and infrastructure improvement,” said Emrick.
Emrick also said he has an economic growth strategic operations plan and infrastructure improvement plan he would be excited to enact once in office. For his infrastructure plan, Emrick wants to ensure there are preventative maintenance programs in place.
“Everything the city is doing is very reactive – a water line breaks, they go fix it,” said Emrick. “I want to be more proactive in what we’re doing and in repairing and upgrading, all of those things.”
Emrick runs on the idea of bringing the citizens of Vienna together and putting the residents first. He said his door is open to listen to community ideas and he is ready to collaborate.
“I am committed to transparency, accessibility and accountability,” said Emrick. “I want to hear from as many residents as possible so I can better understand their needs and concerns. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant community in our hometown.”
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Randall “Randy” Rapp
(Incumbent)
* Age: 70
* Address: 4106 Third Avenue
* Previous Offices Held: Three terms held as the Mayor of Vienna and City Recorder eight years prior.
“In the last 12 years we’ve made a lot of progress,” said Rapp. “We have an absolutely super team that works for the city. You can pick any department in the city, you won’t find a weakness.”
Rapp said he is open to any and all questions and concerns about the city. He said he is open and willing to hear what the citizens of Vienna have to say from the most minor problems to even more major ones. He also mentioned Vienna’s track record ranking as the number two place in the state of West Virginia where people want to live and cited Vienna as the city with the best water quality.
For upcoming projects Rapp said he is excited to see the new elementary school and West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Innovation and Technology Center take form. Rapp said that he believes those projects will bring housing and jobs to the community. He also expressed his excitement for the Spencer’s Landing project as it gears up to the next steps.
“It’s our (the government’s) job to do everything we can to make our town safe and welcoming,” said Rapp. “The bottom line is you … have to keep after it every day and we’re so very happy with where we are.”
***
Kim Williams
* Age: 56, 57 in November.
* Address:
* Previous Offices Held: City Councilwoman, Director for Vienna Utility Board. Williams also serves on the Wood County Democratic Executive Committee where she represents district 46.
Williams is a lifelong resident of Vienna and wants to use her position to create equity within the city of Vienna.
“I want kids to understand you can be who you want to be, you can live your full potential, you can do all that and the world is open, but just stand your truth, be who you are,” said Williams. “You have every right in this world to have a fulfilling life.”
Williams is an out-lesbian and said that representation matters and hopes that people can see her in a positive light as a normal member of the community citing that she pays taxes, owns a business and goes to work just like everyone else.
Williams also plans to invest in infrastructure if elected. Williams said she hopes to catch structural issues before they become larger and more costly for the city to maintain. Additionally, she wants to create a comprehensive plan collaboratively if elected to keep the city on track. According to Williams, the city did not manage to create a comprehensive plan during the most recent ten-year cycle.
“I believe in transparency,” said Williams, “The way I see us moving forward if I’m elected, is public facing. Public facing is going to be more dynamic than what we’re seeing now.”
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