MORGANTOWN — Relationships and communication.
Jodi Hollingshead, who’s unopposed to represent the 2nd Ward in Morgantown’s April 29 election, said she believes the city needs to get back to basics in terms of how it’s handling both.
And she’s ready to get to work.
“I think there are a lot of relationships that need repaired. I think the relationship between the city and the first responders could be improved. I think we could definitely work on the relationship between the city and small businesses. I also think that there’s improvements to be made with the cooperation between landlords, tenants and the city,” Hollingshead said. “There have been some tenuous issues and relationships going on. I’m hopeful with two city council seats changing that we can have a fresh start with some of that. We can’t get a lot done if there’s tension and we’re not communicating.”
She continued.
“I think there’s been a kind of curtain pulled, and a lot of municipal government has been happening behind closed doors and hasn’t been very transparent. I would like to see more transparency, more communication — with our constituents and in our relationships.”
Hollingshead, 38, said she’s also committed to increasing community engagement as council’s first new 2nd Ward representative since Bill Kawecki first won the seat in 2013.
“We’re living in a wild time in history. I think an amazing use of our energy and resources is creating change and making a positive impact right here in our own communities. Taking care of each other, working together, finding things that people are interested in and then opening pathways for them to get involved is really important to me,” she said. “It’s how we build power. It’s how we build strong communities — getting everyone invested and involved and working toward common goals.”
An outspoken critic of the camping ban passed by council last fall, Hollingshead said she hopes voters will select “yes” to repeal the ban when they come to the polls.
“I’m confident that the ban will be repealed. I think it’s important for readers to hear also that we have plans for beyond the camping ban … I’d really like to see the city adopt a housing first mindset. There are lots of causes and reasons for homelessness, but none of those can be appropriately addressed until our neighbors have a stable, safe place to go at night,” she said.
As for city elections, Hollingshead said she supports a move in line with the state and federal election schedule.
The South Park resident said she’s eager to lend her efforts in implementing the green belt initiative as well as efforts to revitalize the city’s downtown business district.
“I think that starts by asking questions. How can the city better support small businesses? How do we make it easier to open and run a successful small business downtown? There’s too many vacant storefronts down there, and I think there are a lot of reasons for that. I’d like to dive into that,” Hollingshead said, concluding, “I think bringing people together is, thankfully, one of my superpowers, and I’m excited to bring that to city council.”
