BELMONT COUNTY Democratic Central Committee members elected Ed Good to take over as the county’s party chairman during their re-organizational meeting Tuesday at Undo’s in St. Clairsville, replacing Jim Tekely who chose to step away from the job after 17 years.
Good, a Mead Township trustee, faced opposition from Charles Wiley of Shadyside, who currently is on that village’s board of trustees of public affairs.
Prior to the vote, each of the nominees were given time to speak to the committee.
Good said he is a lifelong Democrat, an active union member and volunteer who wants to move the party forward.
“We have to have a plan. We have to have a vision,” Good said. “I have that plan. I have goals. No matter what I have, I cannot do it alone. It needs to be our vision and some thing that we can do.”
He also said he wants better communication and to build on the party’s strengths. He also said it’s time the county party had it’s own Web site.
Wiley said he is a “doer” and not a speaker, but offered several ideas to revive the party.
“As your chairman I want to work with all of you to rebuild and make a difference within our party,” Wiley said. “My wife Anita and I have worked diligently, openly and loyally for the Democratic Party and I want to dedicate my time and efforts to strengthening the party.”
After the speeches, the present members of the committee voted with the results showing Good with 22 votes to Wiley’s 19 and one ballot left blank. The ballots were counted and recorded by members Michael Shaheen, Bob Quirk and Todd Kildow.
The committee then took nominations for vice-chair. Nominated for the seat were incumbent Lee Horsfall and Andy Sutak. Horsfall was re-elected to the post getting 27 votes to Sutak’s 13 votes. There was one ballot left blank.
Sue Witten Conaway was the lone nominee to replace current treasurer Anita Wiley, who did not seek re-election to the central committee. The balloting was waived and Conaway was named treasurer of the county party’s central committee. The committee also waved the balloting for the seat of secretary. Incumbent Donna Shubat was re-elected to that position.
Schuler can be reached at shoe@timesleaderonline.com.
