WELLSBURG — Brooke County Republicans will have a choice when they cast their ballots for county commissioner in the May 12 primary.

Incumbent Stacey “Hukill” Wise is being challenged by Kevin Himmelrick for their party’s nomination. The winner will advance to the Nov. 3 general election. No Democrat filed for the seat.

A lifelong resident of Brooke County who is originally from Wellsburg, Wise has served as a commissioner since 2015. She brings more than 40 years of bookkeeping, budgeting, management and secretarial experience to the position, as well as experience in building and construction, maintenance and interior decorating. Wise has been an employee of Colonial American Development for more than 30 years and is the office and site manager of the Rockdale Village Senior Complex.

She said she takes great pride in her work and is committed to improving her community and the lives of her fellow citizens.

Wise is seeking re-election to be able to continue serving with a solid work ethic, a vision for the future and proven fiscal leadership.

“The county currently sits debt free with many capital improvement projects completed,” the Follansbee resident said. “This was accomplished by managing our resources and planning for our immediate and future needs.”

Budget concerns, Wise explained, are best handled over time, rather than looking for a quick fix.

“Those issues can be addressed by continuing to be fiscally prudent by emphasizing long-term stability over immediate gratification,” she said. “This includes avoiding fixed liabilities, saving consistently for unexpected expenses and ensuring high-quality, efficient spending.”

Questions continue to be raised around the state about how best to handle the money that has come from the opioid fund. For Wise, the emphasis needs to be placed on helping people.

Wise explained that the county’s best way to handle the money is by following the final rules of uses that lean toward focusing on strategies that prioritize saving lives through treatment, prevention and harm reduction. Effective allocation, she added, will require thoughtful, long-term planning that will help to enhance programs with proven effectiveness in the war on drugs.

Partnerships and collaboration, Wise said, are the keys to continued economic development in the region.

That includes supporting the Regional Development Agency, the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission and the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle in their efforts to work cooperatively with state agencies to create a business-friendly team, while the county commission continues to do its part to update comprehensive plans and identify growth and improvement areas.

That process, she added, will encourage growth.

“This allows for investing in infrastructure and economic development incentives to provide for grant submissions,” she said.

There are other aspects that Wise said the commissioners should keep their eyes on. Those include focusing on improving aesthetics, keeping taxes low and investing in public safety assets, as well as being involved with local boards and chambers of commerce that support the quality of life and tourism that will help the community grow.

Himmelrick is a lifelong resident of Brooke County and a1987 graduate of Brooke High School. He said he is committed to public safety, leadership and serving the community, and has 43 years of experience with the Weirton Fire Department, serving for 19 years as a volunteer and then as fire chief. He said he wants to make sure the county remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.

He added that his experience of working closely with residents and local government has given him a deep understanding of the needs and challenges facing Brooke County.

“After more than four decades of public service, I believe my experience, leadership and dedication can move our county forward,” the Colliers resident explained. “I want to be a voice for the residents and work toward practical, common-sense solutions that strengthen our county now and for future generations.”

Himmelrick said addressing budget concerns requires a balanced and responsible approach. That includes improving efficiency by empowering department heads to do the jobs they were hired to do, while ensuring proper overweight and accountability on the commission level. Essential services should be prioritized, he added, unnecessary spending must be eliminated and opportunities to operate more efficiently must be sought out. Commissioners should explore new revenue opportunities, he continued, without placing additional burdens on taxpayers, while maintaining transparency in how every dollar is spent.

Money from the opioid fund should help ensure first responders have the training, support and life-saving tools — like naloxone — readily available to give people a second chance at life, he added. His experience as a first responder, Himmelrick said, has shown him that every second counts in an overdose situation.

“These funds must also be used to strengthen prevention efforts, expand access to treatment and support long-term recovery programs,” he said. “Addiction affects entire families, not just individuals, so we need to invest in resources that help people rebuild their lives and restore hope in their communities.”

Brooke County, Himmelrick said, has real advantages when it comes to attracting businesses.

“Our location provides direct access to major highways, rail lines and river transportation — assets that many communities simply do not have,” he said.

Those strengths, Himmelrick added, need to be actively marketed by working closely with regional and state partners and making it easier –and not harder — for businesses to invest in Brooke County. That means, he said, cutting red tape, supporting site development and building a workforce that meets current demands.

Taking a proactive approach can bring in new businesses, create jobs and keep the next generation at home, he added.

Early voting in West Virginia starts Wednesday.