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Michael Martin, Mayor Born and raised in Mount Hope, Mayor Michael Martin is serving his third four-year term as the city's full- time chief executive. As chairman of the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone, Mayor Martin spearheaded construction of the city's $3 million industrial park. He is chairman of the Mount Hope Historic Landmark Commission and was named Mount Hope's 1996 Citizen of the Year.
Mayor Martin has been an announcer for Mount Hope Mustangs Football. He founded the Princess Arts Group and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. His most recent film, Down in Number Five, received a 2010 Student Academy Award.
Steve Brown, Council Member Mount Hope native Steve Brown represents Mount Hope's baby-boom generation on the city council. A former council member, Mr. Brown is serving a term that began in 2001. A graduate of West Virginia University as well as Marshall University, Mr. Brown holds a master's degree in accounting.
Mal Parker, Council Member Retired U.S. Army Major Malcolm Parker served as president of the Rolling Valley West Civic Association in Fairfax, Virginia, before returning to his native Fayette County. While serving as president, Mr. Parker initiated and served as co-chair of the local Neighborhood Watch Program.
Mr. Parker attended public school in Montgomery and Huntington, WV. He graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a bachelor's degree in math.
Ernie Wickline, Council Member Since moving to Mount Hope 40 years ago, Ernie Wickline has served as the city’s fix-it man. Mr. Wickline spearheaded the Dunloup Creek Watershed Association for 12 years and was a leader of the closed recovery study. He is a member of the Mount Hope Presbyterian Church.
He was born in Lindside, Monroe County, and has been married to his wife, Juanita, for 30 years. They have six children and six grandchildren and greatly enjoy their four-legged companions, George and Bubby, as well. Mr. Wickline served with the infantry in Korea for six years and returned to build railroad spurs off the mainline in four states.
Richard Smith, Council Member Serving his first term as a member of city council, Richard Smith was born in neighboring Raleigh County. Mr. Smith has worked for CSX Corporation as a railroad conductor for 34 years. Simultaneously, he has been with the Mount Hope Fire Department 20 years and currently serves as its assistant chief.
Mr. Smith is willing to do anything to help Mount Hope. He greatly enjoys his three granddaughters and welcomed a fourth in April 2011.
Charles Kidd, Council Member Charles Kidd attended Mount Hope schools and graduated from Morris Harvey College with bachelor's degrees in English and Social Studies. He launched his teaching career at nearby Layland before college graduation, teaching seventh and eighth grades and coaching softball. After four years, he came to Mount Hope High School to teach ninth-, tenth-, and 11th-grade English and Literature, as well as Social Studies, World Cultures, and Geography. He retired in 1998.
Mr. Kidd started working as a shoe-shine boy in the fifth grade in his dad's barber shop. He has taught in the Upward Bound program, worked at Sears and Camp Thomas E. Lightfoot, served as assistant scout master of Boy Scouts of America Troop 91, and sung in the Presbyterian Church choir.
Mr. Kidd lives in the house where he was born. Mount Hope is part of him, and he is part of Mount Hope, he says. He has said, “Like the phoenix of mythology, I would like to see Mount Hope be reborn anew. I would like to see Mount Hope become the hub for growth and excellence and to exert her influence in all directions for the betterment of mankind.”
Kathleen Leonard Scott, City Recorder Born in Birchton, Raleigh County, Kathleen Scott moved to Mount Hope just before starting elementary school. She attended Bluefield State and Long Island University and is certified to teach all special education classes. In addition to teaching in Mount Hope, she is an adjunct professor at Bluefield State College in Summersville.
Mrs. Scott is a member of the board of directors of Mount Hope Heritage and Hope Inc. and Mount Hope ON TRAC. She has served as city recorder since 2005.
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