Three seek reelection to Wellman council

The city of Wellman has three city seats that will be on the Nov. 2 municipal election ballot.

Wellman voters will be selecting their mayor and two City Council members.

All three incumbents plan to seek reelection.

Ryan Miller has served as Wellman’s mayor since first being elected in 2005.

“We have made a lot of improvements in town since then and some bigger projects were the necessary improvements to our water and wastewater plants, along with opening the Parkside Activities Center,” Miller said. “We paid off a substantial amount of debt this spring, which will allow us to concentrate on some other projects we would like to get done in town.”

As he seeks his fifth four-year mayoral term, Miller has his eyes set on the city’s future.

“We have a very good group of employees and council members who work well together,” he said. “We will be putting together a new five-year capital improvement plan this fall to help set the stage for the future of our community.”

Shannon McCain is seeking his second full term as a member of the City Council.

McCain was appointed to the seat in 2017, replacing Jared Schneider, who was elected sheriff in November 2016.

McCain won a full term in the November 2017 election.

“I like being able to help people in our community,” McCain said. “I’ve been able to help several over the years. I enjoy doing it.”

Fern Bontrager also is seeking another term on the City Council.

In August 2020, Bontrager was appointed to serve out the remainder of former council member Mark Philpot’s term.

This is Bontrager’s second stint on the council.

She first joined the council when she was appointed to fill a vacant seat in May 2009.

She was elected to the seat later that year and again in 2013 and chose not to seek reelection in 2017.

“I care about the well-being of our community,” Bontrager said. “We’ve got a good structure, such a good group of employees and a good council.

“I feel this city is in a good place, and I would like to see that continue.”