MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The City of Morgantown has a new candidate eligible to run for city council in the upcoming municipal election as the call for more police officers to join the force continues.
Morgantown City Clerk Christine Wade announced during Morgantown City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday that Jason Reed has been approved to be accepted as a write-in candidate for Ward Two. This will be in addition to candidate Jodi Hollingshead, who will campaign for a seat guaranteed to have a new member serving on it with the impending departure of longtime Councilor Bill Kawecki. Wade made the announcement along with a call for potential police recruits during the city clerk portion of the meeting.
“Today we did get an official write-in candidate for Ward Two, and that is Jason Reed,” said Wade during her update.
Wade added that alternative poll workers are still needed for the Morgantown Municipal Election on April 29. Polls will be open at 6:30 a.m. and will remain open until 7:30 p.m. with over ten polling locations open across the city on election day. Those who wish to apply to be a poll worker are encouraged to sign up using the City of Morgantown’s official website.
“We do have poll workers, but we’d like to have some more,” said Wade. “So, we do still have the application on our website on morgantownwv.gov/elections,” she said.
Early voting will take place at the Historic Railroad Depot at Hazel Ruby from April 16 until April 26 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. with polls closed on that Friday.
Wade also announced that applications are being accepted to join the Morgantown Police Department, as the most recent report revealed the department still has 22 vacancies on their police force. Those who wish to apply will be able to sign up for close to a half dozen positions, with a standard physical fitness test required ahead of formal training taking place at the West Virginia State Police Academy. Positions are available ranging from patrolman to dispatcher.
“Some of the careers that one could participate in if they were a police officer would be drug task force, K-9, dispatcher, scuba, detective, special services, special response team, and patrolman,” Wade said.
Morgantown City Councilor Brian Butcher addressed the recent overhaul in federal funding from the Trump Administration, where he encouraged residents to keep an eye on local nonprofits and how they might be affected. During the councilor’s report portion of the meeting, Butcher stated that one of the nonprofits he’s worked with has already lost funding based on LGBTQ practices, with more nonprofits potentially losing more pending DOGE oversight. With several funding mechanisms for nonprofits at risk of being affected long-term, Butcher advises residents to try and help support those who try to help the less fortunate.
“I know of an organization that has lost $50,000 dollars recently to implement a program that has to do with LGBTQ folks,” said Butcher. “And the company that I work for is getting investigated for our inclusionary practices, it’s going to be really important for our communities to come together.”