Mark Black, 1966-2001

Newly elected City Commissioner Mark Oval Black didnt have a chance to attend a meeting or cast a single vote. Black, who came from a family with a tradition of public service, died at 6:35 p.m. Monday at The Medical Center. He was 34.Mary Alice Black of Morgantown said Tuesday that her son died due to complications of meningitis, including stroke, perforated stomach ulcer and pneumonia. Arrangements are under the direction of Jones Funeral Home in Morgantown. We are all deeply saddened by the death of City Commissioner Mark Black, Commissioner Alan W. Palmer said. He had great potential as a commissioner and a leader, but never got to realize either. Mark Black was hospitalized Dec. 28, the day Mayor Sandy Jones and city commissioners were sworn into office. Mark Black was sworn into office in his hospital room Jan. 1 by City Clerk Katie Schaller. A statement released Jan. 5 by the hospital said Black had been diagnosed with noncontagious meningitis; two days later, he suffered a stroke and later had surgery for a stomach ulcer. The family was protective of Mark Blacks privacy during his illness, allowing the hospital to make only three statements during his 40-day hospital stay. We were standing one on each side of that bed throughout, Mary Alice Black said. We had to protect him. We didnt have time to fight the battles with the media. Mark would have been very unhappy at the way this was handled by the media, but he didnt know. Mary Alice Black said she returned the first check her son received as commissioner to City Hall on Monday, before we knew this was going to happen. She said the family appreciated the support shown by her sons friends and backers. We do appreciate the people and their love and their concern, she said. Mary Alice Black also praised The Medical Center. I cannot say enough about the quality of care that we were given by the doctors and the staff, she said. Black, whose father, Charles Black is Morgantowns mayor, aspired to be county clerk in the tradition of his grandfather, Oval Motley, who died in office in March 1966, Warren County Deputy Election Clerk Mary Stahl said. He wanted to do something for the city of Bowling Green, his mother said. My children grew up knowing that the joy you give to others is the joy that comes back to you. In the November election, his first bid for office, Mark Black tallied more than 7,000 votes to finish third in the race for four at-large commission seats. He was the hardest working candidate of us all, because he knew he had much to overcome, Palmer said. He was proud of the fact that he knocked on 4,000 doors in Bowling Green and sat in the living rooms of countless citizens … .Jim Maroney, Mark Blacks campaign manager, said all of that work wore on his health. He was just tired and completely worn down, Maroney said. I pushed him too hard – he lost close to 30 pounds while campaigning. But I told him hed have to give 150 percent – 100 percent wasnt going to be enough to win. Mark Black also had an active role in staging the citys International Festival. Robyn L. Minor contributed to this article.