Kanawha 2023 City Council Candidates

The Tuesday, Nov. 7 city/school elections in Hancock County has contested elections in two communities – Kanawha and Corwith.  This article will detail the Kanawha City Council candidates.

Judy Vander Ploeg is a candidate for mayor of Kanawha. She is unopposed. 

The Kanawha City Council election has two seats up for grabs, with four candidates. Candidates are Brandon Douglas, Mathieu Lemay, Ray Bassett, and Shirley Baker.

            The Leader asked the council candidates a few questions regarding their goals should they be elected for the position. Here is what each one had to say:

1. What inspired/motivated you to run for this position?

Brandon Douglas: Since my wife, son and I moved to town a little over a year ago a lot of people have said they would like to see some new faces on the council. So I decided now is the time to start trying to get new faces on the council. I have always wanted to run for city council. I have never done it before so NOW is the time.

Mathieu Lemay: This will be my second term on the council in Kanawha. I decided to run again because I feel it is important to be involved in the community in which I live. I’ve grown to really love and enjoy Kanawha and the people in it. I am a firm believer in citizen governance, and look forward to participating as much as possible to tend to the needs of the city and the community at large. 

Ray Bassett: I have long been motivated to serve my community. I was elected Mayor in 1983 and served for twelve years. In 1996, the newly elected Mayor asked that I continue serving on the Kanawha Community Fire Board and shortly after that I was asked to serve on the Kanawha Public Library Board of Trustees. I have served in those roles, primarily as presiding officer, since. I became a certified EMT in May of 1984 and served until my own heart issues forced a retirement in 2014. 

I have acted as the volunteer bookkeeper for the Kanawha Congregate Meals for Seniors program for about 35 years. I was elected to the City Council in 1999 and first sworn in as a councilman in 2000. My inclination to serve my community is simply part of who I am. While new blood is a good thing, I believe those of us who are able to bring years and breadth of experience can, and should, offer the voters the option to allow us, allow me, to continue serving on the Kanawha City Council.”

Shirley Baker: I was on the council a few years ago before I dropped. I decided I wanted to run again this year. I’m retired, so I have the time and the interest, and I want to be involved in making decisions that will help our city.

1.    

What issues/ideas are your priorities should you be elected to this position?

Brandon Douglas: One, work on getting a grocery store of some sort in town. Two, work on getting a diner or restaurant in town with set hours. Three, work on getting properties cleaned up around town. And four, get  a party in the park one day a month during the summer and fall going ( cover bands, car shows , bounce houses , food vendors ect. ect.) Bring some money into the town. A percentage from food vendors and everything would go to the city. There's really nothing to do in the town for the town folk/surrounding communities.

Mathieu Lemay: The issues I see as priority in Kanawha are developing a vision for the future of our city, business development to grow the community as well as helping nurture the culture that is growing here.

Ray Bassett: The resurfacing of the primary entry, exit, and through streets in Kanawha, Main Street and East and West 5th Streets, has to be the focus of the Council. We have excellent employees who we must retain as long as they continue exemplary job performance. 

We have good facilities and equipment for our Parks, Water, Sewer, and Street Departments. Those we must maintain. But those streets have exceeded their intended life I am certain. I believe those streets date to the late 1950's. Any future Council must work diligently to see those streets improved.

Shirley Baker: I’d like to keep our town nice, safe, and secure. We should be prioritizing our city’s safety, security, and sanitation.

*Editor’s note: The candidates for Corwith City Council will be presented next week.