Making plans — Newly elected share visions for future

In this year’s election, Weston County voters elected four new officials — two for city positions and two for school board.

City Councilman Tyrel Owens is Newcastle’s mayor-elect, and Chris Kenney will be joining the City Council. Tyler J. Mills and Susan Pillen will join the Weston County School District No. 1 board of trustees. Voters also returned Marty Ertman to another term as a Weston County commissioner.

City officials

Owens will take the oath of office in January as mayor after serving four years on the City Council. He’s served on the Water/Sewer/Fire Committee, the Parks/Cemetery/Recreation Committee and the Board Committee, which collaborates with local boards that the city subsidizes and oversees.

Owens, who is a water and wastewater operator, said he looks forward to seeing improvements in the city’s infrastructure and engaging in community economic development. He would like to work with organizations and local business owners to stimulate the economy and bring in new businesses or train local entrepreuners to open their own businesses.

“There’s going to be a lot of work to do,” he said.

Owens said he has already begun to reach out to county commissioners regarding setting up quarterly meetings to collaborate, learn from each other and maybe pool resources. He also wants to have the community be involved in decision-making processes and provide the community with transparency regarding whom he’s talking with and what they are talking about.

“I’ve always been a really honest person, so I think that I can provide that transparency in that respect,” he said.

He said he plans to provide the council with ideas and direction, letting them know what programs are available, such as state-level ones, and what can be done with them.

Owens said he would like to have time limits on public comment at regularly scheduled council meetings “so that things don’t get out of control.”

“I’d like to try to keep people focused and on topic when we’re talking about different ideas and concerns in our community because I’ve seen a few of our council meetings through the years kind of get off the rails,” he said.

He said he would like to see the community be more engaged in local projects that showcase the pride they have in being Newcastle residents. Also, he would like people to feel comfortable approaching him. He intends to be in the office at least once a week in case anyone would like to talk with him.

Kenney called himself a “hometown boy” who isn’t a politician but rather someone who wants to help his community. He said he was born and raised in Newcastle before moving away in the late 1990s. He returned to the city in 2002 after he and his wife had their first child.

“We have made Newcastle our home and have raised both of our children here,” he said. “I can remember what Newcastle was like growing up as a kid, and I would love nothing more than to be able to bring that back.”

He said he would like to partner with city department heads, Owens and the rest of the council to help make the city “a destination location and a place people want to call home.”

“When I was growing up, Main Street was thriving,” Kenney said. “I can remember a sidewalk sale every summer. It just seems like there was always something going on.”

He said he also would like to assist with fixing city infrastructure.

“These type of projects will take a lot of time and money to complete, so working as a solid body will need to be very important,” he said.

Kenney said that as he comes into the position, he wants to see how the process works and how he can best help.

“The whole reason we have elections is to hopefully bring others into office with fresh ideas and an open mind,” he said.

School board members

Mills and Pillen took their oath of office on Nov. 13. They begin their term in December.

Mills will be literally following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Ronnie Mills. Ron, was a bus driver for the district and served on the Weston County School District No. 1 board from 2002 until he retired in 2022, just months before he died in January 2023.

Mills, who was born and raised in Newcastle, said he was in high school when his grandfather joined the board, and the two of them learned from each other’s perspectives.

“He was a great member for the school district, between his tenure of whether it was driving bus or being on the school board or doing stats at football and basketball,” he said. “He did it all. I just hope I’m only as half as good as him because he did it. He did great. He taught me a lot, and I want to go with what he taught me.”

The foremost lesson he learned was “the kids come first,” Mills said.

“We’ve got to do everything we can for them,” he said. “I had a great education growing up here. I would like to see them get the same – or, if not, better – education than what I had.”

He said that his grandfather’s are “some pretty big shoes to fill,” but he believes he has the determination to “not let everybody down.”

For at least the first six months, he said, he plans to focus on listening and learning so that he can make informed decisions, but he would like to “eventually” help ensure students are less reliant on technology for basic skills such as counting back change, handwriting and spelling.

When people apply for jobs at his business, Newcastle Equipment, applications are sometimes illegible, Mills said. He would like to see more of the basic skills incorporated into the curriculum. He understands it’s a board decision, but he would like to hear staff members’ ideas regarding how to strengthen those skills.

“Those are basic skills that everyone needs to have and needs to continue to have,” he stated.

Mills said that he would like to also ensure that staff are “overachievers when it comes to teaching our kids.” When teachers who he had in school retire, he wants their replacements to “go above and beyond,” ensuring that every student has the same opportunity to learn. He will also strive to listen to “everybody” who complains about policies or personnel.

Pillen said she wants to help create a “culture of belonging, respect and fairness” in schools to help teachers, students and parents.

“As a team player, I take the time to gather all the facts before making informed decisions,” she said. “I stand up for what is right, not what is popular, and work to ensure that everyone on the team feels valued and understood.”

She said she is intent on improving communication, safety, resources and mental health support for everyone in the school community.

“I am excited to be part of a group of citizens who care deeply about the education and future of school-age children,” she said.