MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Kim Haws has officially introduced himself as Morgantown’s
new city manager.
During the closing minutes of Morgantown City Council’s
regular meeting, Haws officially took over the position of city manager giving
his first remarks while holding the position. In his opening statement he
thanked the now former Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli who held the post
for the majority of 2020 in the midst of several meddling issues.
“I have
a deep appreciation for the load that is seems has come off of Emily’s shoulders
since I came on today,” said Haws during the meeting. “Not that I have taken
that much off of her load but I think it helps to be able to share that load,”
he said.
Haws, was selected by Morgantown City Council in later October
and will follow former City Manager Paul Brake as the next person to hold the
position in a non-interim capacity. Before taking the post in Morgantown, Haws
was Bridgerport’s city manager for 20 years, with his local experience a key
factor in wanting him to come aboard. Haws, stated that the attitude of members
of council made the decision to take the job very easy to make.
“I must
say that I’m really impresssed with the sense of familiy and the sense of
comradery that I sense there,” he said. “And I’m really looking to the time
together,” he said.
Now that Haws is offcially Morgantown’s city
manager, there will be several tasks around the city that would need his input.
Some of those include, but are not limited to, budget concerns in spite of the
COVID-19 pandemic, development of the Morgantown Municipal Airport, continued
redevlopment of Downtown Morgantown and a City Parks and Rec program with
several major projects expected in the near future. For Haws, he feels that
Morgantown has the people in place to make it go far.
“I just think that
there’s real opportunity here for us to do some great things altogether and I
look forward to doing that,” he said.
While Haws officially takes over as
Morgantown City Manager, former Interim City Manager Emily Muzzarelli is
expected to stay on with the City of Morgantown. Muzzarelli, will bring over
precious local experience to assist Haws with her recent efforts involving the
Diamond Village Encampment as a highlight to her abilities. As Morgantown City
Council praised Muzzarelli’s efforts, it appears that Haws will be welcomed with
open arms.
“I think we have a great staff and a promising future I think,
as we move forward,” said Morgantown City Counciler Bill Kawecki.