FIRST ADDRESS — Dean Harris, the next mayor of the City of Weirton, addressed those gathered for a private ceremony Wednesday in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center after taking the oath of office. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — A little less than a month before officially taking office, Weirton’s newly elected mayor and members of city council received their oaths of office before a crowd of family and other invited guests Wednesday.

Standing before those gathered for the private ceremony in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center, Mayor-elect Dean Harris, along with incoming council representatives Tim Connell, Ralph Cunningham, Jesse Keeder, Rick Stead, Brittany Holloway, Anthony Rocchio and Chris Jonczak were administered the oath of office.

First Judicial Circuit Court Judge Ronald Wilson provided the oath to the majority of the officials, with Cunningham opting to take his oath from Hancock County Magistrate Ralph Fletcher – a childhood friend.

“It’s a really good, solid council,” Harris said following the ceremony. “I’m proud to be associated with them.”

Harris indicated his plans to have an open-door policy as mayor, as well as an intention to ensure a strong working relationship with the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, development officials and other governmental officials on the local, county and state levels as they move forward.

NEW COUNCIL — A private ceremony was held Wednesday to administer the oath of office to Weirton’s next mayor and city council. Mayor-elect Dean Harris is seated in the center of the front row, flanked by Circuit Court Judge Ronald Wilson, at left, and Hancock County Magistrate Ralph Fletcher, at right, who administered the oaths. In back, from left, are incoming members of Weirton Council Tim Connell, Chris Jonczak, Jesse Keeder, Anthony Rocchio, Rick Stead, Brittany Holloway, and Ralph Cunningham. -- Craig Howell

He credited the work of outgoing mayor Harold “Bubba” Miller and the current Weirton Council and city administration for successes with investment and business opportunities in recent years, saying he wants to see more success in the future.

Pointing to the often-noted assets of nearby infrastructure as selling points for growth, Harris quoted American author and civil rights leader Coretta Scott King, who said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members,” Harris said it is the people of Weirton who are its true selling point.

He showcased examples such as the creation of Weirton Cares, an effort to collect donations of clothing, cleaning supplies, food and more for hurricane victims in North Carolina, and the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner which, this year, delivered more than 500 meals to shut-ins and others. Last year, Assistant City Manager DeeAnn Pulliam helped to launch a similar meal program for Christmas, which Harris said will be held again this year.

“That’s the kind of people who live here in Weirton,” Harris said.

Harris also recognized the families of those taking office, offering appreciation for their support and noting they are just as much a part of the process of being an elected official as those holding the office.

“We may run for office, but you’re all involved,” he said. “It’s a family affair.”

City Manager Mike Adams served as the master of ceremonies for Wednesday’s event, also recognizing the families.

“Public service is not just the person. It’s also the family,” Adams said.

Of those taking their oath Wednesday, only Connell and Jonczak will remain from the current city council. This will be the first time on council for the other new members. Harris previously served as mayor, holding the office from 1995 to 2003, and serving as Ward 5 council representative prior to that.

While the new administration won’t officially take office until Jan. 1, there was a timeline under state code for them to be administered their oaths of office.

Under West Virginia Code 8-5-8, “Every person elected or appointed to an office in any municipality shall, unless otherwise provided in the charter thereof, within twenty days after his election or appointment and before he shall enter upon the duties of his office, take and subscribe to the oath of office prescribed for district officers, which may be done before any person authorized by law to administer oaths, or before the mayor or recorder of such municipality. The oath, together with the certificate of the officer administering the same, shall be filed, recorded and preserved in the office of the recorder of the municipality, and a certified copy of such oath and certificate shall be filed and recorded in the office of the clerk of the county court of the county in which the municipality or the major portion of the territory thereof is located.”

The new mayor and council were elected as part of the Nov. 5 election, with a canvass held five business days later, and a certification of the results issued within 48 hours of the canvass unless a challenge was made to the results. As such, Wednesday was the deadline to meet those requirements.