#ward2

By unanimous vote earlier today by the six members of Wheeling Council and Mayor Glenn Elliott, the decision to either take possession of the OVMC campus property or pass on the deal was again tabled until the next regular meeting set for June 16 at 5:30 p.m. That decision obviously was fine with Ward 2 Councilman Ken Imer because on Monday during an interview Monday afternoon on The Watchdog (98.1 FM WKKX and 97.7 FM WVLY) the representative remained undecided. “I am still tossing the whole thing around in my head,” Imer said. “I was asked recently if the city really wants to be in the real estate business? And it was a good point, I thought, and I say that knowing that the city owns a lot of city properties because it’s been approved by mayors and council members, or because people have just abandoned the properties. “But the OVMC campus is different, and it would be a huge project that the city would take on,” he said. “There are good buildings involved, but there are the others that might now have a future. It’s a big decision.”

Wheeling Ward 2 Councilman Ken Imer and his family reside on Wheeling Island.

Potential

The first phone call only concerned the Valley professional Center on Chapline Street because a police department and city offices could be a nice fit. The owner, MPT Inc., countered with an-all-or nothing proposal. A part of the deal with the former operator of the OVMC operations, Alecto, involved the city financing the demolition of the former nurses’ quarters and $3 million renovation of the city’s Center Market Parking Garage. If the city were to agree with this, the razing still would need performed, and so would the garage renovation. The condition of the top tower, the structure that still features the OVGH signage, likely is the most concerning liability involved. In such a situation, demolition would be likely. “It is an old, historic building, and there would be resistance, I’m sure,” Imer said. “We did tour all of the buildings, and most of it looked like it was in decent shape. But I didn’t see the guts of the buildings. Some of the interiors of the buildings are nicer than the others, but the oldest one just doesn’t look like it’s in the greatest condition, and that is concerning to me. “When you walk through, you see the potential, and it is there,” he continued. “But the biggest problems for me is if we want to spend the money to make it what you really want it to be? Plus, if you put money into this building and that building to make it what it needs to be, there’s still money that would have to be put into them because they are still older buildings. It’s a big decision.”

Officials with the city of Wheeling have been in contact with the owners of the OVMC campus, and they have discussed a possible sale.

Then There Is the What If?

North Wheeling to the Northern Parkway. Fulton. And, yes, of course, Wheeling Island. Those are the neighborhoods included in Ward 2, a section of the Friendly City that is mostly residential but also home to several eateries that have proven to be local favorites. Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack is a major contributor of tax dollars, and the ward also is near the top of B&O Tax collections. Those three areas also have been greatly impacted by the bridge construction projects along with Interstate 70 with noise, road closures, lane restrictions, and detour traffic.

Many razings have taken place on Wheeling Island, but many more are necessary, according to the residents.

On the Ballot

For decades, the second ward has been represented by a Wheeling Island resident, including Vern Seals and current Councilman Kem Imer, who is running for a third term. Four others entered the race, including a resident of downtown, one from North Wheeling, and two more from Wheeling Island. Imer and his wife have three daughters, and he is employed by Legacy Truck Center in Wheeling. Although he considered not running for re-election this year, Imer was encourage by members of the Wheeling Island Community Association to file once again. Charlie Ballouz has run for this seat several times, coming very close in 2016 when Imer defeated by the slimmest of margins. Ballouz served for several years on the Ohio Valley Transit Authority and was the chair for more than a decade. He has lived in downtown Wheeling for the past three decades, organized a successful petition against the two-way proposal for Main and Market streets, and is not afraid to speak out when he feels it is necessary.

After a sprinkler system exploded on the fourth floor of the Dream Center in North Wheeling, Panhandle Cleaning Restoration jumped into action. Wheeling Island resident Alex Coogan owns several businesses in the Wheeling area, including Eden Family Restaurant at 135 Virginia Street on the Island. Coogan is a minimalist when it comes to government and regulations, and he works very hard as a successful entrepreneur. Joe Key is a resident of North Wheeling, is an Air Force veteran, retired from the U.S. Postal Service, and has a long history of coaching on the high school and college levels. This run for city council represents his first attempt to gain a public seat but has been engaged with the local community in many capacities for many years. Ben Seidler, a resident of the north end of Wheeling Island, unofficially initiated his council campaign two years ago primarily out of frustration because of a lack of property maintenance on Wheeling Island. Seidler has staged community meetings in all areas of the ward since and his red, white, and blue signs can be seen in those areas, as well.  

Many razings have taken place on Wheeling Island, but many more are necessary, according to the residents.

Just Fine and the Fixes

If you ask Alex Coogan a question, he’s more than happy to answer you even if he knows you’re not going to like it. And it doesn’t really matter who you are. “When I say I’m going to get something done, that’s what I do, and even the city officials who have to deal with me know that,” Coogan said. “But now my city has a mayor who still won’t talk to me, and it’s hilarious. He shuns me in public, and I just have to chuckle because it’s only because I disagreed with him on a few things. “But what are you supposed to do when something is wrong? Stay silent like the mayor and the Council members want us to be? This city can’t afford to keep taking it on the chin,” he said. “This city has lost so much, and sure when (Andy) McKenzie was the mayor, we finally saw some growth, but what have we seen for the past four years? I’m always going to be outspoken about the lack of progress and therefore a lack of good leadership from the top to the bottom.”

His first business was Reliable Appliance, and the company has grown since.

Potholes Not Playgrounds?

In other words, Coogan will not change his approach, his message, or his belief that his proposed initiatives not only will improve Ward 2 but the rest of the city, too. It is his belief the vacant building registry needs to be repealed to return urgency for property owners to either improve them or sell them to someone who will, and Coogan remains steadfast that potholes and not playgrounds should be a priority near the top of Council’s list. “I’m going to go about this campaign saying what I know, and I am going to share my opinions about how we can finally improve the important things to the people of this city,” he said. “If I make people mad along the way, well, it won’t be the first time that's happened.” Coogan owns several businesses under the “Reliable” brand, including a lawn service, appliance sales and repair, and small engine repair. He also serves as the property manager for Monoceros Properties, and he owns rental properties of his own. The new Eden Family Restaurant at 135 Virginia St. in Wheeling, in fact, is yet another venture with which Coogan is involved, and it is an eatery that welcomes children and refuses the negative influences that have led to business failures at the location for the past several years. “I’m not afraid to speak my mind, and if it makes people mad, so be it because most people refuse to take up an issue or any cause,” Coogan insisted “That’s because they’re nervous about doing it because attorneys aren’t cheap. But I’m not one of those people, and Ward 2 is where I live, and I want to work to make things better on a day-to-day basis.”

Coogan and his business partners recently opened Eden Family Restaurant at 135 Virginia St. in Wheeling Island.

Coogan for Mayor 2016?

He was one of four candidates for the mayor’s office in Wheeling, but candidates Gene Fahey and Glenn Elliott expended more than $20,000 collectively, and Coogan and fellow Wheeling Island residents spent a few bucks on yard signs and a few trinkets. This time, though, Coogan opted to join a crowded race that includes four other candidates, including incumbent Councilman Ken Imer. “I decided not to run for mayor again because I didn’t want to become a figurehead,” Coogan explained. “I’d rather be equipped to vote for Ward 2 after working with the people of the ward to make sure that vote represents them. If the voters selected me and a few of the other very good candidates, we’ll be able to change the direction of this city so we can finally improve it." “I thought I was going to the State of the City (last week), but then after that food truck disaster, I decided not to go because I can’t stand to be lied to by the saddest sacks who have ever tried to lead,” he continued. “I’ve tried to stay calm and be respectful, but that food truck issue is just ridiculous. I know they said they are going to revisit it, and that’s fine, but to me, the damage is done. Someone cried, and then they did what they did totally under the radar until someone noticed. That’s just wrong.” So, if it took place outside his brick-and-mortar, Eden, on Wheeling Island? “If I can’t sell a burger that people want to order and a food truck has a better one, come set up right outside our door, and I will welcome you. I don’t care about this stupid ordinance, and I’ll stand right next to you, too,” Coogan said. “The way that ordinance reads, the food truck folks really can’t set up anywhere, and that will just drive them away from this city. “The mayor should have just set fire to their food trucks and called it even,” he said. “Oh, but now, they’ll be happy to revisit it? That’s only because they finally realized they screwed up in an election year, and it will just go with everything else they are now rushing through because it is an election year. You vote for me and just know that my votes will be for the good of the city and not because it’s an election year.”

Coogan has been an Island resident for many years, and he's proud of that fact.

Shhh, Alex?

If you ask Alex Coogan a question, he’s more than happy to answer you even if he knows you’re not going to like it. And it doesn’t really matter who you are. “When I say I’m going to get something done, that’s what I do, and even the city officials who have to deal with me know that,” Coogan said. “But now my city has a mayor who still won’t talk to me, and it’s hilarious. He shuns me in public, and I just have to chuckle because it’s only because I disagreed with him on a few things. “But what are you supposed to do when something is wrong? Stay silent like the mayor and the Council members want us to be? This city can’t afford to keep taking it on the chin,” he said. “This city has lost so much, and sure when (Andy) McKenzie was the mayor, we finally saw some growth, but what have we seen for the past four years? I’m always going to be outspoken about the lack of progress and therefore a lack of good leadership from the top to the bottom.”

His first business was Reliable Appliance, and the company has grown since.

Potholes Not Playgrounds?

In other words, Coogan will not change his approach, his message, or his belief that his proposed initiatives not only will improve Ward 2 but the rest of the city, too. It is his belief the vacant building registry needs to be repealed to return urgency for property owners to either improve them or sell them to someone who will, and Coogan remains steadfast that potholes and not playgrounds should be a priority near the top of Council’s list. “I’m going to go about this campaign saying what I know, and I am going to share my opinions about how we can finally improve the important things to the people of this city,” he said. “If I make people mad along the way, well, it won’t be the first time that's happened.” Coogan owns several businesses under the “Reliable” brand, including a lawn service, appliance sales and repair, and small engine repair. He also serves as the property manager for Monoceros Properties, and he owns rental properties of his own. The new Eden Family Restaurant at 135 Virginia St. in Wheeling, in fact, is yet another venture with which Coogan is involved, and it is an eatery that welcomes children and refuses the negative influences that have led to business failures at the location for the past several years. “I’m not afraid to speak my mind, and if it makes people mad, so be it because most people refuse to take up an issue or any cause,” Coogan insisted “That’s because they’re nervous about doing it because attorneys aren’t cheap. But I’m not one of those people, and Ward 2 is where I live, and I want to work to make things better on a day-to-day basis.”

Coogan and his business partners recently opened Eden Family Restaurant at 135 Virginia St. in Wheeling Island.

Coogan for Mayor 2016?

He was one of four candidates for the mayor’s office in Wheeling, but candidates Gene Fahey and Glenn Elliott expended more than $20,000 collectively, and Coogan and fellow Wheeling Island residents spent a few bucks on yard signs and a few trinkets. This time, though, Coogan opted to join a crowded race that includes four other candidates, including incumbent Councilman Ken Imer. “I decided not to run for mayor again because I didn’t want to become a figurehead,” Coogan explained. “I’d rather be equipped to vote for Ward 2 after working with the people of the ward to make sure that vote represents them. If the voters selected me and a few of the other very good candidates, we’ll be able to change the direction of this city so we can finally improve it." “I thought I was going to the State of the City (last week), but then after that food truck disaster, I decided not to go because I can’t stand to be lied to by the saddest sacks who have ever tried to lead,” he continued. “I’ve tried to stay calm and be respectful, but that food truck issue is just ridiculous. I know they said they are going to revisit it, and that’s fine, but to me, the damage is done. Someone cried, and then they did what they did totally under the radar until someone noticed. That’s just wrong.” So, if it took place outside his brick-and-mortar, Eden, on Wheeling Island? “If I can’t sell a burger that people want to order and a food truck has a better one, come set up right outside our door, and I will welcome you. I don’t care about this stupid ordinance, and I’ll stand right next to you, too,” Coogan said. “The way that ordinance reads, the food truck folks really can’t set up anywhere, and that will just drive them away from this city. “The mayor should have just set fire to their food trucks and called it even,” he said. “Oh, but now, they’ll be happy to revisit it? That’s only because they finally realized they screwed up in an election year, and it will just go with everything else they are now rushing through because it is an election year. You vote for me and just know that my votes will be for the good of the city and not because it’s an election year.”

Coogan has been an Island resident for many years, and he's proud of that fact.

Shhh, Alex?

Ben Seidler announced his intentions of running to represent Wheeling’s Ward 2 much more than a year ago, and that’s because he was exhausted with his own fights about neighboring properties to his Wheeling Island homestead. Seidler, the first to file his candidacy paper with the City Clerk’s Office, joined downtown resident Charles Ballouz as two candidates running for the Ward 3 seat. Incumbent Ken Imer had not filed to run for a third term. He was the only incumbent in 2016 to be re-elected. “I didn’t want to wait and allow our neighborhoods to deteriorate for another two years before an election season. I wanted things to start getting done back then,” Seiler explained. “Section 800 in our (city) charter gives us the right to perform a forced sale of property when municipal fines have not been paid. This code is clearly intended to be used as the final “nuclear approach”, and not to reclaim a $100 citation.

Seidler is concerned with this situation in North Wheeling because the transformers could cause damage to the nearby properties. “But it can’t benefit us unless the city actually does what it needs to do to actually start the timer and follow up with citations when the significant issues are not addressed. Had our city (council) started on some of these properties when I personally handed a copy of this exact ordinance to the members of council and asked them to leverage this code, we could have been that much closer to clearing and repurposing some of these abandoned properties. Unfortunately, they ignored the request.” Seidler hopes to alter the course. “The clock will finally start when someone in the city is pushed to do the necessary work to meet the requirements of that ordinance. I launched my campaign early in order to also let our community know loud and clear that this isn’t how it has to be. We don’t have to wait around for someone to get motivated right before an election and then fall off the grid again,” he said. “We can make change in our community immediately by following a process that has been proven to work. I had hoped to light a fire under anyone else that had it in their sights to run for this seat, to step up to the plate and partner either with me or even to push hard for change, independently. How can folks trust someone to represent them when it only seems to matter during an election season? They can’t.” Most voters who do not reside on Wheeling Island always wonder if the Ward 2 council member will pay attention to a section of North Wheeling, Fulton, and Glenwood Heights. Seidler says he intends to meet with residents of those areas during the next few months.

Wheeling Island resident Ben Seilder “I’m already active in all of the neighborhoods in Ward 2, and I have already put together teams of people in each respective neighborhood who act as eyes and ears. I fully expect these teams of engaged residents to grow as time goes on,” he explained. “I was the first person that I am aware of to schedule community meetings for Fulton and Glenwood in order to get a good pulse on the concerns in these seemingly historically ignored neighborhoods. I remain in close contact with these folks and I will begin to schedule more community meetings this spring. “Many of the residents in Ward 2 neighborhoods already know that I am extremely responsive and always accessible on the street, at the store, out to dinner, by phone, text, email, or social media,” Seidler said. “I communicate with folks across each of these channels nearly each and every day. My number is 304-215-1418.” Seidler, graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 2000 and DeVry University in Columbus, is an IT director for Ohio Coatings. He has lived in Wheeling since completing his college education and is the father of two daughters.