By Maralisa Marra
Amanda Sayers, who owns Home Style LLC downtown, moved to Shinnston during her high school years and has been a resident ever since. She is a candidate in the June 7 municipal election and seeks to represent Ward 2, downtown Shinnston. Among other proposals, Sayers proposed a way to beautify the city by working with West Virginia University on demolishing and renovating dilapidated structures, and she pointed to her existing work in this area.
“I always say you can’t complain about things unless you’re willing to help,” she said, “I’m always willing to help, and I feel like this is just one more way that I can help, and I want my kids to grow up in the best place possible.” She met her husband in Shinnston, and they decided to settle down and raise their family here.
Sayers said her interest in running for City Council stemmed from her involvement with city groups, including the Frontier Days Committee and the Shinnston Development Authority Committee, which recently cataloged every building that needs demolition or renovations. Sayers said she wants to be involved in making the city more appealing to residents and outsiders, and she believes that the best way to improve downtown Shinnston is to become directly involved.
Asked about dilapidated structures, Sayers said she is interested in West Virginia University’s BAD Buildings Model program. According to WVU’s website, WVU provides assistance to city officials and volunteers who apply and are selected for that program. Shinnston participated in that program in 2018, also according to WVU’s website; Sayers said she’d like to see it expand.
Sayers said that once the buildings that need demolition and renovation have been addressed, she believes that more business owners will migrate to Shinnston. “Because if it’s more appealing, more businesses will want to come here,” she said. “People will want to build new buildings, and people already want to live here, so let’s make it the best that we can.”
According to The Exponent-Telegram, Shinnston sold the Murphy building, which continues to become more unsound, at auction for $27,000 in 2019. Sayers said she wants to get the building back in the hands of the city so it can be renovated, and she has hopes for it to be a communal center for the city. The Shinnston News reported at the time that following the development of a business plan by WVU students, consultants gave the city a rough estimate of $841,000 to fix up the building and get occupants.
As for other dilapidating structures, Sayers said she thinks the owners need to be approached and held accountable for the upkeep of their property, and she is also interested in utilizing state funds that assist in demolition at no cost to the city or the current owners.
If elected, Sayers said she would reach out to other business owners and ask if they have thought about moving to or opening up another location in Shinnston. Sayers also supports tax incentives to new businesses. She is in support of the idea of the city giving businesses a break on their B&O taxes in exchange for the business owners to update their buildings. “If we can give them a break on their B&O, I’m all for that. So that way we can make the city look more appealing,” Sayers said. B&O taxes are a significant revenue source for the city, making up about $380,000 of the city’s $1.96 million budget.
She also says that she completely supports annexation, expanding city limits through the purchase of nearby property, because not only will it be beneficial to Shinnston, but the assets of Shinnston like the police and fire departments will benefit the surrounding areas like Lumberport and Enterprise. Sayers said, “I think the more the merrier.”
As for the expansion of wastewater operations to other areas outside of Shinnston, and upgrades to the water plant Shinnston, Sayers is in full support of City Manager Chad Edward’s plan for these systems. Edwards has said that while these updates are needed as lines deteriorate, they will likely result in future debt and possibly an increase in sewer rates. Sayers said the updates will alleviate future sewer issues, although she added she is cautious of potential debt.
Sayers also believes that the Department of Highways needs to do something about Route 19 and plans to press them to fix the portion that goes through Shinnston, as well as the crosswalks that are no longer functioning.
Sayers said, “I want voters to know that I’m here for them. My door at Home Style is open all the time. They can stop in and talk to me any time. A lot of people know where I live, so if it’s something super important, come knock on the door.” She also said that she is more than happy to talk to anybody and discuss anything. “I just want all of them to know that what they think really matters, and I’m here to help along the way,” said Sayers.
Editor’s Note: Shinnston’s municipal election is scheduled for June 7. City Council candidates were questioned about their interest in the role, as well as their plans for economic development, infrastructure, including planned sewer and water expansion projects, and dilapidated buildings, including the Murphy building. They were also asked how they would achieve their goals.
