About

I am running for Parkersburg City Council.

Hi everyone and thanks for taking the time to check out my webpage. If you know me, you’ll see my page is a lot like me, no frills.

A lot of that, maybe all, comes from my upbringing. My parents lived through the Great Depression as children. Both were raised in rural West Virginia, before moving to the Parkersburg area.

I grew up in a 2-bedroom house, sharing my room with my older brother. I went to kindergarten at North Parkersburg Baptist Church, back then is was just a small brick church across from what used to be the first Parkersburg Community College.

From there it was on to Emerson Elementary School. Then Hamilton Junior High and Parkersburg High School, from which I graduated in 1980.

During those school years I began mowing grass to make money. Riding my bike to 5 different homes and mowing the yards and trimming for $5 a yard. I did not receive an allowance at home, so I had to work if I wanted spending money.

I also went to work at Pennyfare supermarket. I joined the United Food & Commercial Workers as a teenager, signing my representation card on a box of lettuce in the produce room. I still see the union rep who signed me at a monthly meeting. That was in 1977.

After graduation, I attended West Virginia Institute of Technology. I took out student loans and used the money I earned from my part-time jobs to pay for tuition, room and board. My parents helped by buying my books and helping with other expenses.

I graduated in 1982, and remember the ceremony held at a sunny Martin Field on a beautiful May afternoon.

I returned to Parkersburg, and enrolled at Parkersburg Community College while still pondering a career. It was the mid-1980s and jobs were tough to come by. I returned to working in a grocery store.

In 1985, I interviewed with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. I was selected into their apprenticeship program and began classroom training. I started on my first job in March of 1986.

I completed the apprenticeship and went on to become a steward on various jobsites. I was then elected to the Recording Secretary position for 2 terms, before being elected President of the local. When our Business Manager was asked to work in the Washington DC International headquarters, I was appointed Business Manager / Financial Secretary.

In that position I dealt with a myriad of issues. Getting our members referred to jobs for our signatory contractors was one of many jobs for which I was responsible.

Apprenticeship training, helping members navigate our health care, serving as a pension trustee, negotiating multi-year labor contracts, helping retirees with any issues and simply keeping the union hall budget financially sound so that we could keep the doors open and conduct business for our members and retirees were some of my many day to day duties while serving as Business Manager.

In 2016, I was elected to my first term of City Council. I have tried to incorporate the knowledge from past jobs, while listening to the needs of my constituents.

Living in my District nearly my entire life, allowed me to not only know the area, but also see changes happening. I tried to make sure that our districts needs were heard by the administration.

I have learned a lot during my 4 years, and I continue to learn. My Council attendance was 100% for both regular meetings and for meetings of my assigned committees.

I worked diligently on Public Works, Personnel, Finance, Stormwater Remediation and special committees during my tenure on Council.

I have also volunteered my time with many local organizations.

I have worked with the Wood County Family Resource Center in presenting “Movie Night in the Parks”.

With the Parkersburg Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies in helping to present the National Night Out for area youth.

With the Parkersburg Fire Department on smoke detector installs.

With the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia Parkersburg office on many charitable events over the past 10 years.

With the Parkersburg Area Labor Council on food drives and other charitable efforts.

With the Parkersburg-Marietta Building and Construction Trades on charitable jobs throughout the area.

And last but not least, serving my constituents to help better the neighborhoods of District 9.

With my 35+ years of construction experience, plus business management experience. Plus my experience as a city council member, I believe I bring a diverse skill set to the Board of Education.

In 2022, I ran for the Wood County Board of Education. It was my first attempt at a county-wide campaign and I spent 3 months traversing Wood County. In the end, I lost the election by 5 votes to the incumbent. But it was a great learning experience, I got to see a lot of nice places in our county and I met a lot of fine people!

This year I have decided to run for Parkersburg City Council. I am hoping for the opportunity to once again represent the citizens of District 9.

I certainly appreciate your consideration and support!

Paid for by Friends of Fox.

Jeff Fox – Treasurer.