Two vying for Follansbee mayor
David Velegol Jr
Alexis Russell
David Velegol Jr
Alexis Russell
Trending
FOLLANSBEE -- The city's June 13 election will determine which of two candidates will serve as Follansbee's mayor.
The two are challenger Alexis Russell, who currently serves as 4th Ward councilwoman; and incumbent David Velegol Jr., who is in his 12th year in the role.
Velegol is employed by Hatch Engineering and has 36 years of experience in engineering industrial water and wastewater projects for steel, oil, gas and power industries outside Follansbee.
He said as mayor, he led efforts to build new ball fields at the city's north end and launched Follansbee Night at the Washington Wild Things, a free event attended by about 400 youth and parents.
Velegol said he has built good relationships with federal and state officials that have helped the city to secure $18.7 million in federal and state grants for major improvements to the city's water and wastewater treatment systems and renovations to its fire station.
He said construction for those projects is slated to begin this year, and he awaits final funding for the town square he has proposed for the area adjacent to the City Building.
Velegol said in addition to seeing such projects to completion, he will, if re-elected, continue "to make the city look beautiful by picking up garbage every Sunday, as I have done for the past five years and mow and trim the American Legion plaza" and volunteer with the Follansbee Community Days committee.
A lifelong resident and two-term council member, Russell is office manager for Ballato Brothers Auto Center and a banquet server for Vito's 2 Catering and has many years of experience in accounting, for which she holds a bachelor's degree, and customer service.
She is a member of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce and Wellsburg Elks Lodge, past president of the Follansbee American Legion Auxiliary and a charter member of the Ohio Valley Business Alliance, a group formed to promote economic development.
Russell said if elected mayor, she would push for all responsibilities and expectations of city personnel to be clearly defined, with an emphasis on continuous improvement, and ensure the city's budget is accurately prepared and implemented.
"I also will promote a collaborative approach to project development among and between citizens and government," she said, noting she pushed for a brainstorming session for park improvements and an informational meeting on pros and cons for the election or appointment of the city's police chief.
Russell said she will work to improve communication with residents by prioritizing updates to the city's website and app and providing agendas and minutes in a timely manner.