New Wheeling City Council Ready to Continue Building City's Next Chapter

Photo by Eric Ayres Members of Wheeling’s new city council were sworn in Monday in the Capitol Theatre ballroom. From left: Council members Tony Assaro, Ben Seidler, Connie Cain, Denny Magruder, Jerry Sklavounakis, Ty Thorngate and Dave Palmer.

WHEELING – A new chapter in the history of the city of Wheeling began Monday when members of the new city council were sworn in.

Family members, friends and supporters gathered Monday afternoon at the Capitol Theatre Ballroom for a swearing-in ceremony for the new council. Circuit Court Judge David Sims administered the oath of office to each of the new council members individually, first administering the oath to new Mayor Denny Magruder. Magruder then introduced each council member by ward to follow suit.

The 2024-28 Wheeling City Council includes Ward 1 Councilor Tony Assaro, Ward 2 Councilor Ben Seidler, Ward 3 Councilor Connie Cain, Ward 4 Councilor Jerry Sklavounakis, Ward 5 Councilor Ty Thorngate and Ward 6 Councilor Dave Palmer.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to serve as your mayor, and I know my fellow council members are equally honored and humbled,” Magruder said. “There could not be a better time to serve as mayor of Wheeling.”

Magruder noted all the construction going on downtown, including the $35 million Streetscape project that is moving forward and all the other public and private investments that are underway. All of the progress that has been seen in the city began with the efforts of past mayors and council members who worked together as a team to accomplish great things.

“It’s all about building relationships,” Magruder said, noting that throughout his career — first in finance and for decades as executive director of the WesBanco Arena and the Capitol Theatre — he’s always been fortunate to be surrounded by a good team. The mayor said he’s confident this new council will continue that effort — a council he said brings a wealth of “knowledge, experience, diversity, dedication and passion” for the city and its neighborhoods.

“We’re going to work diligently as a council to rebuild very strong relationships with all agencies — state legislators, federal legislators, the county commission,” Magruder said, noting that all local entities and citizens must come together in the common effort to make Wheeling the best city it can be. “It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we work together.”

Returning to the city council are outgoing members Seidler and Sklavounakis, who will be serving their second four-year terms, and Thorngate and Palmer, who will be serving their third four-year terms. Magruder, Assaro and Cain are the new council members.

“I look forward to helping improve the lives of people in the neighborhoods,” Assaro said. “Every council member I’ve talked to has a shared vision for the neighborhood. We care about the quality of life here in Wheeling and we’re all going to be moving in the same direction. I think we’re going to do some great things here.”

Cain said they were also eager to serve the city as a whole.

“I’m really looking forward to serving all of Wheeling,” she said. “We have our neighborhoods, but for Wheeling to be united, we have to serve the entire region. Our residents — I talked to them last year, to find out what’s going on, how they feel and what they think would make the city better — and there’s a lot of little things — a pothole here, a paved driveway there … But they just want to be heard and feel like they’re part of the city.”

Cain broke a glass ceiling in city history Monday when she became the first black woman to serve on Wheeling City Council.

“Yes, history was made today,” Cain said, noting that in fact there had not been a black representative on the council since the early 1970s.

She said she was proud and happy to give voice to people of color, adding that she hopes more leaders from the next generations of Wheeling’s Black community will take on roles in city government in the years to come.

“It’s been a long time. I’m 55 and ready to get started. I hope that in the future we will also have young people joining us.”

City Manager Robert Herron and City Clerk Jessica Zalenski welcomed the public to the ceremony, during which family members joined each council member as the judge administered the oath of office.

Wheeling’s new mayor said he hopes to continue strengthening relationships with council members, community residents and others. Magruder noted that he and Herron recently met with Gov. Jim Justice, and he said he hopes strong relationships continue to grow at the state level and beyond.

“We are committed to continuing to work on development efforts – not just downtown, but throughout the city,” Magruder said, emphasizing that new housing and economic development should reach every neighborhood in the city.

Magruder added that he hopes to establish a new citywide beautification program that can help restore pride among residents.

“This group wants to make sure that taxpayers know that we are going to be very diligent in how we manage your money,” Magruder said, noting that federal pandemic relief funds will not be available as they were during the last council — which, by default, calls for a more conservative economic approach.

The mayor touted Wheeling’s many assets, including the city’s police and fire departments, Oglebay and the Oglebay Institute, Artworks Around Town, numerous recreational facilities, the WesBanco Arena and Capitol Theatre, school systems, local churches, Wheeling’s rich history and much more.

“But for all of these assets, I truly believe that the most important asset is our people,” Magruder said, adding that he “salutes” those who are willing to invest in the city’s future and roll up their sleeves to be part of a winning team that will open a new chapter in Wheeling’s history. “I am so proud to be your mayor.”

Wheeling’s new City Council will hold its first regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. today at the city-county building downtown.

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