MORGANTOWN — Like every downtown in America, downtown Morgantown has issues.
Ok. What now?
Some people get Facebook accounts.
Kim Katarski and Ed Mason go to work.
For the last 15 months or so, the pair have been on the front line downtown.
They’ve picked up nearly 8,000 pounds of trash, conducted more than 1,300 check-ins with businesses, tended to nearly 500 health concerns and attended dozens of community events.
Everything you might expect from a city ambassador.
“Negative energy can multiply. Well, so can positive energy. To us, this uniform is meant to represent service – positive service. What that means is always changing,” Katarski said.
The brainchild of Assistant City Manager Emily Muzzarelli, the city ambassador program was launched in April 2022 using $200,000 in American Rescue Plan funds.
By all accounts, it’s been a success.
The program was recently recognized by the West Virginia Municipal League with an All-Star Community Award.
It’s being noticed locally as well.
“They’re in here probably once a week or so checking in and asking what we’re seeing and if we have any issues or questions for the city,” Jim Coombs of Coombs Flowers said. “We’re not open on the weekends, but I’ll drive through and see them cleaning up and talking to people and just kind of keeping an eye on things.”
Katarski explained that she and Mason were essentially handed a concept and have largely built their own job description based on four touchstones — tourism and hospitality, beautification, business outreach and public health and safety.
They’ve since been joined by Ambassadors Steve Butler and Cam Allen. Intern Laura Long joined the team this fall.
Morgantown City Council recognized the program during its most recent regular meeting.
“You two particular individuals, who are clearly identified with this program and have put so much energy into it — I just really appreciate your infectious attitudes and your work ethic,” Mayor Jenny Selin said. “It’s clear you’re making it into a program that’s probably unexcelled anywhere.”
Mason said confronting the problems downtown every day can be difficult. So can walking 7-10 miles a shift in the summer heat and winter wind.
“It is overwhelming at times, but I know that we are helping. We are part of the solution. These are complicated issues and every city in the country is facing them. But we’ve seen so much positivity from the public and from business owners down here. I think that’s what keeps us positive and keeps us going,” he said. “Whatever people say, the city is not sitting back and doing nothing. It’s complicated, but I know they want to make things better and I know that we’re part of that.”
River Fair Trade owner Shannon Dowling said the ambassador program is a “wonderful program with lovely people.”
“They’re out there. They’re visible. They’re always smiling and engaging. It’s just something positive – not only the program, but the people they’ve chosen to be ambassadors. There’s no question that they really care, and they want people to see the best side of Morgantown,” she said. “I know without a doubt they want Morgantown to be the best that it can be because it shows in their attitude every single day.”
Katarski said she and Mason have leaned on one another and their shared love of community in building the ambassador program over the past year.
“The bottom line is everybody wants to know they’re being heard, and everybody wants to take pride in their home,” she said. “This is our home.”
