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WHEELING -- City council considered five other applicants for its 3rd Ward seat before ultimately deciding to appoint Melinda Koslik to the position amid potential conflict of interest concerns.
Council unanimously approved Koslik's appointment on Jan. 18 to the 3rd Ward seat, left vacant by former councilman Brian Wilson when he resigned from the body in December. On Thursday, Koslik was sworn into office.
City officials previously confirmed Koslik is in a relationship with Jesse Mestrovic, Wheeling's director of parks and recreation. Officials said council discussed the matter during Koslik's interview and in executive session and notified the city's legal department.
Mayor Glenn Elliott said in a letter to the editor Wednesday that council discussed potential conflict of interest issues at length but ultimately decided Koslik was the best candidate. Council received a total of eight applications but considered six people for the position after two dropped out.
After the city declined a request for the names of the other candidates considered, The Intelligencer submitted a Freedom of Information Act request and received the names Friday.
Koslik, a homeowner in East Wheeling for four years, has worked in Center Wheeling as a graphic designer at Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe for about eight years. She has also been involved with volunteer work to revitalize the city.
According to records provided by the city, council also considered:
∫ Rosemary Ketchum, associate director of NAMI Greater Wheeling, a mental health outreach agency
∫ Dalton Haas, West Virginia Vice President for Mid-American USA Hockey
∫ Peggy Niebergall, a retired Marshall County elementary school teacher
∫ Morgan Wood, co-founder and managing partner of Crest Investments, a Wheeling-based real estate firm, since 2007
∫ Jerome Henry, a trainer and dispatcher for the Ohio Valley Regional Transit authority, who is the son of former city councilman Robert Henry
Elliott said in the letter that three of those candidates had residency concerns. One admitted to not living in the 3rd Ward and two others appeared to have have moved there very recently, he said.
City officials previously said that Koslik agreed to abstain from certain votes if necessary and not take part in decisions involving city staff. Elliott said Koslik said she will ensure that her personal relationship with Mestrovic doesn't interfere with council duties.
"She also made clear that her interest in serving the Wheeling community predates her relationship with Mr. Mestrovic and has been steadily growing," Elliott said Jan. 18. "I have full confidence in her based on our discussions that she will conduct herself appropriately and take all steps to avoid both actual and perceived conflicts."