Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott appears to have company when it comes to not being entirely forthright with the public on the issue of reappointments to the Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority Board.
Fifth Ward Councilman Ty Thorngate, who was the initial member of council to question the reappointments during Tuesday’s meeting and who ultimately voted against approving the slate as submitted, failed to publicly note his own potential conflict in this matter. Thorngate was one of a half-dozen candidates that applied and was interviewed for the position of executive director of the Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority during its search last year.
That position ultimately was awarded to Kelly Tucker.
Thorngate said he had consulted with and received an opinion from the West Virginia Ethics Commission that he did not have a conflict. That was the right approach. However, when he spoke on the issue Tuesday, he should have acknowledged, for the record, that he sought the post and had received an opinion that there was no conflict. That would have put to rest any concerns as to his motives in voting against the reappointments.
Again, transparency.