ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Bill Brooks has decided to throw his hat in the ring as part of the city’s mayoral race on the Nov. 7 ballot, challenging incumbent Kathryn Thalman.

Brooks ran for the mayor’s office in 2019 against then-incumbent Terry Pugh and newcomer Thalman. Along with Thalman, Brooks was vocal in opposing the Pugh administration’s plans to sell the city’s water system to a private company.

Brooks was also a candidate for council in 2021. In the years prior to that, he spearheaded voter opposition to a proposed levy by the St. Clairsville-Richland City School District, which many residents saw as excessive. It was defeated.

“The present administration has done nothing for the citizens of this town,” Brooks said of the reason for his current run for office.

He criticized the administration for insufficient road paving and excessive spending.

Brooks said his administration would focus on fiscal conservancy and prioritizing residents.

“I want to curb excessive spending by our administration, which in return would help us stabilize utility rates for the benefits of our citizens,” he said.

If he wins the race, Brooks said he will form a transition team to work with the current administration to be fully informed of ongoing projects and plans going into his term. He said he would draw on a wide variety of experienced people.

“My platform is citizens first,” he said. “First thing I’m going to do is create a committee of past city councilmen and city leaders. I’m hoping that our present council will join, and we’re going to go over what the citizens need, how we can make the city better for citizens. I’m going to aim at getting the flooding stopped in the Bell View area. I want to get some roads paved. I’m going to work with the recreation director to create outdoor activities for the adults and the children. I’m going to hold a monthly meeting at the rec center in which the citizens can come and voice their concerns without signing up.”

Brooks said that initial word of his candidacy has been met with enthusiasm. Reactions to the news posted on social media have been mixed.

“I’ve gotten a good response. We’ve formed a team called Team Brooks and anybody who wants to join it, who wants to make the city better for the citizens, are invited to join,” Brooks said.

Brooks has clashed with current and prior city leaders, and exchanges have become heated during public meetings. He is currently barred from city property, including during public council meetings. On May 15 he was told to leave when he attempted to attend a council meeting that was also a public hearing.

“That’s a complete violation of my constitutional rights,” he said.

Brooks has denied making rude or intimidating gestures to council members and denied using some of the pejorative terms he is accused of saying.

As a result of charges brought due to his presence at the May 15 meeting, in early June Brooks pleaded innocent to criminal trespassing and disturbing a lawful meeting. His trial in Belmont County Western Division Court was set for this coming Tuesday, but after Brooks’ lawyer asked for a continuance for discovery, a new pretrial hearing date was set for July 25.

Brooks also criticizes city leaders for funding council members’ legal fees up to $15,000 as of Monday.

“They passed an ordinance where the citizens, the taxpayers, will pay for their lawyers,” Brooks said. “They already have insurance for the city’s liability insurance, but they want for individual lawsuits.

“I’m out of almost $7,000 of my own money for these lawyers,” he said. “It’s not fair.

“I don’t want to file a suit against my city because it takes away our taxpayer dollars, but I do want my lawyer fees paid and an apology from council,” Brooks said. “I love my citizens, and I’ll always fight for them.”

According to the Belmont County Board of Elections office, the deadline to file for a mayoral or council member race is at 4 p.m. Aug. 9.

Thalman could not be reached Friday for comment on whether she plans to see re-election. Board of elections records indicate that no other candidates have yet filed in the race.