Dec. 23, 2009
HUNTINGTON’S FIRST LADY
Staying Busy, Deb Wolfe Celebrates First Year; Explains Mayor’s Lack of Visibility
Story By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Photos By Chris Spencer
Huntingtonnews.net Photographer
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- When asked about the highlight of her initial year as Huntington’s ‘first lady,’ Deborah Wolfe smiled and did not think long --- the current open house celebration.
Having overseen far more complex productions --- from pageants and theatrical shows to corporate presentations and the inaugural --- Ms. Wolfe appeared happily content as a not-so behind the scenes coordinator. Though rushing a refill of table snacks, fixing a toy train, or calling guests to the living room for Christmas carols, the city’s first lady kept a broad smile on her face.
Speaking with HNN in between children’s tugs on her arms, Mrs. Wolfe offered insight into her husband’s first year in office. More often than not, you’ve likely at least heard a low buzz contemplating “where’s the Mayor?” Deb settled that rumble in a second --- he’s been traveling back and forth to Charleston.
“If he does nothing else in the remaining number of years he might be in this calling, getting that pension bill passed was huge,” Ms Wolfe explained. “I do not think people really understood how close the city was to bankruptcy. Now, he can tackle some other things that he has wanted to do.”
She reminded that “he said during the campaign I will have to do that [the pensions] first. If we do not get that fixed, we cannot do anything else. That’s the first thing he tackled and accomplished. Now, he can move on to other things that may be more visible to people.”
During the resolution of the pension funding issue, a spirit of cooperation and team work has been established with “entities that at one time may have been at enmity with each other. That’s huge,” Mrs. Wolfe said, adding, “Kim has always been able to bring people together of different backgrounds and socioeconomic strata.”
Having worked in corporate marketing and the entertainment industry (professionally and as a volunteer), the articulate, dark haired former pageant winner praised celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver for his effort to accent “a lot of positive things.” As to the final product, “you never know what’s going to happen in the editing room, so we’ll have to see how reality TV projects Huntington. Generally, anytime you get your name out there, it is probably a good thing.”
The mayor’s wife hinted that the city may have new business coming as a result of Oliver’s visit.
“A lot of new businesses are now interested in looking at our area… we are trying to be very receptive and let them see all the great things Huntington has to offer. Hopefully, we’ll keep snowballing in that direction.”
Personally, the First Lady reflect a great sense of accomplishment for a chartered bus that parked outside of the Mayor’s home just after the open house started. As a member of the City Mission board, Mrs. Wolfe invited children from the mission to the party/open house.
“Serving on the City Mission Board is something I have always wanted to do. I think it’s appropriate for the First Lady to do something to make a little difference,” she said. “I can’t give a lot financially to organizations I feel strongly about, but I can give my energy, creativity and share my home.”
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Staying Busy, Deb Wolfe Celebrates First Year; Explains Mayor’s Lack of Visibility
Story By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Photos By Chris Spencer
Huntingtonnews.net Photographer
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- When asked about the highlight of her initial year as Huntington’s ‘first lady,’ Deborah Wolfe smiled and did not think long --- the current open house celebration.
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Speaking with HNN in between children’s tugs on her arms, Mrs. Wolfe offered insight into her husband’s first year in office. More often than not, you’ve likely at least heard a low buzz contemplating “where’s the Mayor?” Deb settled that rumble in a second --- he’s been traveling back and forth to Charleston.
“If he does nothing else in the remaining number of years he might be in this calling, getting that pension bill passed was huge,” Ms Wolfe explained. “I do not think people really understood how close the city was to bankruptcy. Now, he can tackle some other things that he has wanted to do.”
She reminded that “he said during the campaign I will have to do that [the pensions] first. If we do not get that fixed, we cannot do anything else. That’s the first thing he tackled and accomplished. Now, he can move on to other things that may be more visible to people.”
During the resolution of the pension funding issue, a spirit of cooperation and team work has been established with “entities that at one time may have been at enmity with each other. That’s huge,” Mrs. Wolfe said, adding, “Kim has always been able to bring people together of different backgrounds and socioeconomic strata.”
Having worked in corporate marketing and the entertainment industry (professionally and as a volunteer), the articulate, dark haired former pageant winner praised celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver for his effort to accent “a lot of positive things.” As to the final product, “you never know what’s going to happen in the editing room, so we’ll have to see how reality TV projects Huntington. Generally, anytime you get your name out there, it is probably a good thing.”
The mayor’s wife hinted that the city may have new business coming as a result of Oliver’s visit.
“A lot of new businesses are now interested in looking at our area… we are trying to be very receptive and let them see all the great things Huntington has to offer. Hopefully, we’ll keep snowballing in that direction.”
Personally, the First Lady reflect a great sense of accomplishment for a chartered bus that parked outside of the Mayor’s home just after the open house started. As a member of the City Mission board, Mrs. Wolfe invited children from the mission to the party/open house.
“Serving on the City Mission Board is something I have always wanted to do. I think it’s appropriate for the First Lady to do something to make a little difference,” she said. “I can’t give a lot financially to organizations I feel strongly about, but I can give my energy, creativity and share my home.”
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