PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — Former Mayor Jimmy Colombo was chosen by the Parkersburg City Council to serve as interim mayor after the resignation of Bob Newell.
Colombo served from 1998 to 2005 before deciding not to seek a third term. After Thursday night’s council vote he flashed optimism over completing the 18 months left on Newell’s term.
“I’m so proud because this will give me a chance to work again for the people of Parkersburg and to work with this council,” Colombo said. “I really believe this is a good council. And I certainly do believe we can find common ground to make things better for the whole area.”
Colombo admitted he was nervous and “actually prayed a lot” during the vote that ended 7-1 in his favor. Jane Burdette and Jody Murphy also were under consideration to replace Newell, who stepped down amid allegations of trying to cover up an affair with city finance director Ashley Flowers.
In April, five Parkersburg employees reached a $90,000 settlement in their lawsuit against the city, claiming they were subjected to harassing conversations involving the relationship between Newell and Flowers.
After the Newell scandal, Colombo said trust must be rebuilt between the residents and local government. He promised transparency and to move the city forward with other renovations.
“The strongest thing you can do is show immediately that your government’s going to be transparent, you’re willing to work with council, you want to do things for the community and you want the community involved in projects too,” Colombo said. “Anybody can talk but you really have to communicate. We’re going to work together and take some great steps forward in this town.”
Colombo was selected among a larger pool of candidates nominated last week by the Wood County Democratic Executive Committee. After the pool was narrowed to three candidates, a two-thirds majority was necessary Thursday night to select the new mayor.
Columbo said his previous accomplishments helped convince the council.
“When I first served as mayor in ’98, the parks were in bad shape, the sidewalks were in bad shape and there were no downtown projects,” he said. “We did lighting projects and sidewalk projects all the way up Market, and gateway projects from the Ohio Bridge over.”