Follansbee voters choose new mayor, council members

Follansbee voters elected Scott McMahon as mayor, defeating incumbent David Velegol Jr. with 402 votes to 170. All contested City Council positions went to new representatives, including Joe Kafton for the 5th Ward, Rudy Cipriani for the 4th Ward, and Anthony D’Ulisse for the 1st Ward. In Wellsburg, voters opted to keep the police chief position elected, with 77 votes against the proposed change to an appointed role. McMahon, who highlighted the excitement and humility of his win, prioritized assessing the city's budget to address financial issues.

Kafton expressed his commitment to supporting the establishment of a code enforcement officer, while Cipriani aims to restore the Urban Development Action Grant trust fund and enhance city infrastructure. The election results indicate a shift towards new leadership in Follansbee, with all contested council seats filled by newcomers. Additionally, a survey on council terms showed 358 voters favoring two-year terms over four-year terms. This election marks a pivotal moment in local governance as community members seek to address pressing issues.