Editors Note: The following is part of series of profiles on candidates running in Clarksburg’s June 6 municipal election.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — Martin Howe is one of 10 candidates running for Clarksburg City Council. Voters will be asked to select three candidates.
— Biography: “Martin Howe was born and raised in Clarksburg. Martin is married to Valerie (Martino) and has three children: Jackson, Martina and Mary Claire. Howe graduated from Fairmont State University with a double major in management and marketing. After graduation, Howe worked a short period of time for WV Business College prior to relocating to Traverse City, Michigan, where he was an assistant marketing director for General Growth Properties (Grand Traverse Mall), then being promoted to marketing director at Westwood Mall in Jackson, Michigan. In 2005, Howe became city manager of Clarksburg. Howe served in this role for approximately 15 years.”
— What do you see as the most important issue currently facing Clarksburg and what would you do to address it if you are elected?:
“Leadership! With a new city manager set to begin, she will need support from someone experienced and knowledgeable of the inner workings of the city and contacts throughout the state. She will be our sixth city manager within three years! Stability is desperately needed to return to a better work environment for the employees and to re-establish relationships in Charleston that have been lost or severed. Get the budget in order ASAP. Under the leadership of the last two mayors, they have increased the spending from the 1% Sales and Use Tax by over $1 million to fill reckless spending within the general fund.”
— What are your expectations for the newly hired city manager and what do you hope they will accomplish in their first year on the job?:
“As this will be the city manager’s first job in such a position, it can be a little stressful to be the ‘new kid on the block.’ It will take several weeks to months to become familiar with the community and the atmosphere surrounding such. Meetings with key players within the city, local businesses, stakeholders and community leaders to establish relationships [are] a must. It is imperative that she become very familiar with priorities and key projects within the city to have them fully executed. Additionally, she must put together a strategic plan to move the city and administration forward.”
— What should the city be doing to promote economic development in the downtown business area — should the B&O tax credit program be expanded?:
“Capitalize on the Opportunity Zone, which was successfully established under Howe’s leadership in 2018. Clarksburg’s OZ encompasses the Central Business District. These zones provide tax incentives for investors willing to invest in the designated zone. Private investors benefit from the real estate or business investments within the zone and will receive tax deferring benefits on any capital gains received from those investments. The State of WV also approved an incentive that allows any new business created within the OZ to be exempt from corporate and personal income tax for 10 years! There are several other potential incentives that can be created depending on the project, which can be approved by Commerce and the Home Rule Board.”
— How should Clarksburg work to forge stronger ties with decision makers in Charleston?:
“The city manager and Council need to be more active in Charleston. Better communication and relationships need to be fostered not only with our elected representatives (House of Delegates and state senators) but also directly with the governor and departmental administrators and staff. These include, but not limited to; Dept. of Commerce, WV Dept. of Highways, Dept. of Economic Development, WV Dept. of Arts, Culture and History. There also needs to be better support towards the WV Municipal League and WV Manager’s Association, as well as actively participating. These relationships will lead to more successful opportunities for our great city.”
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