MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Due to family concerns, Morgantown Third Ward Councilor Ixya Vega will step away from her elected position on May 16. Recently, her mother and father, who are from Central America, planned to build a vacation home there. The plan quickly changed to a retirement home, and the family home will be passed onto Vega and her younger brother.
Vega was first elected to council in 2021 for a two-year term and did not file to run for reelection in 2023. During her time on council, she said learning the value of the work of local governments was one of the most impactful things. Vega said after working with the volunteer members of boards and commissions, they don’t get the recognition they deserve.
“A different insight into how decisions are made and how important local government is,” Vega said. “And how often do people ignore their local government and pay more attention to state-level government,”
Vega told WAJR News she has enjoyed her time living in Morgantown and learning the value of community. But she said she’ll take that experience back to her hometown and be grateful to no longer miss birthdays and special occasions with her family.
“I’ve really appreciated seeing how neighborhoods in Morgantown develop and how everybody takes care of each other,” Vega said. “Because where I grew up in Melrose Park, Illinois, you don’t really see community the way you see community in Morgantown.”
Louise “Weezie” Michael ran unopposed in the April election and is the councilor-elect to be sworn in July 1. Michael said she made the decision to run for office with a specific set of priorities that she believes will improve the quality of life.
“I’d like to focus on transportation, the unhoused population, and the environmental clean-up days we’ve been having lately,” Michael said.
Michael said she wants to use her position on council to work on things that are important to neighborhoods and the residents of the city.
“I will be accessible, I will listen to what your needs are, and I will do the best of my ability to help you,” Michael said.