Local election winners outline plans for their terms in office, thank voters for their support

My Buckhannon
November 4, 2020

BUCKHANNON –With most Upshur County races uncontested, local candidates were able to turn their thoughts to their upcoming terms of office as election results rolled in Tuesday.

“I feel pretty confident in the decisions we have made,” Upshur County Commission President Terry Cutright said, recognizing the support of voters. “I really appreciate their support and their confidence, and I’ll try to do a better job in the next six years than I’ve done in the last six years.”

Cutright said focusing on building maintenance and equipment updates, including the Upshur County Courthouse and the Upshur County E911 Communication Center Center, were goals of his first term.
“We’ve got the Comm Center in pretty good shape,” Cutright said.

“I’d like to get COVID-19 over with – that would be a priority,” Cutright added. “It’s just dragging everybody down. I would also like to work with city in the future, especially on extending the Riverwalk Trail, and possibly partnering with (city engineer) Jay Hollen and the city to apply for grant funding.”

Cutright said one lesson he’s learned is that it’s important to be humble about what one can accomplish in office.

“One thing I’ve learned is that you can’t always accomplish everything you think you can when you go into you term,” Cutright said with a laugh. “It’s definitely a learning experience.”

Jan. 1, 2021 will mark the beginning of Cutright’s second six-term stint as an Upshur County Commissioner. He is currently commission president.

Upshur County Assessor Dusty Zickefoose will also serve another term in office after running unopposed.

“Thank you for your support,” he told Upshur County voters. “My door continues to stay open and I am happy to serve the citizens of Upshur County.”

Upshur County Clerk Carol Smith said voter turnout was nearly 71%. The vote counting was finished for the night about two hours after polls closed.

Upshur County Clerk Carol Smith pauses for a brief moment for a quick photo opp prior to Tuesday night’s votes rolling in. / Photo by Katie Kuba

“It was a pretty good turnout,” Smith said. “I’m pleased – everything went well. Everything went well, but I really did think it would be a higher turnout from being out in the precincts and how busy it was at all of them.”

Smith also was pleased with the COVID-19 measures taken to ensure a safe and secure election, including mail-in absentee ballots, socially distant in-person early and Election Day voting, and even special voting for those in quarantine.

“We actually did have 18 quarantined people who came in to vote,” Smith said. “We made it convenient for them.” Smith said a special drive-through was set up for quarantined individuals.