Morgantown’s industrial fortune or woes – the condition depends on which candidate you talk to – are framing the city’s mayoral debate.

&#8220We certainly have the highest unemployment rate we’ve had in a long time,” said two-term City Councilwoman Eva Hawes, 59, who’s challenging longtime Mayor Charles Black, 75. &#8220I want to see if we can get Morgantown moving forward instead of moving backwards.”

According to Black, the town’s mayor since 1972, opponents are fond of using the platitude, &#8220It’s time for a change,” but seldom answer the question, &#8220What are you going to get if you change?”

&#8220People don’t realize it,” he said, &#8220(but) we’ve added about 200 jobs in this community the last few years.”

Black cited growth at industries such as Morgantown Plastics, Aleris and Corvac as reason to maintain the status quo at the ballot box. For example, representatives from the Humphrey Cos., which owns Corvac and Eleison – automotive-parts suppliers that share a building – have forecasted adding more than a hundred new jobs to Morgantown within a couple of years.

&#8220They’re just easing along and building up momentum,” Black said.

He pointed toward two other prospects on the horizon: Dynastrosi Laboratories and Harvest Wind Energy, a joint partnership slated to bring a turbine-materials manufacturing and research facility to Morgantown. The venture awaits approval of a $9.3 million federal loan; it could produce 78 new jobs initially, with 500 projected over five years, according to Dynastrosi CEO Ron Jones.

Hawes said Corvac has been around for a long time, but new plants are scarce in Morgantown.

&#8220We’ve got to advertise better,” she said.

Hiring an industrial recruiter, Hawes said, to work on commission and function like a real estate agent promoting Morgantown’s economic interests, is one idea she’d like to implement.

Hawes advocated other improvements for Morgantown as well.

She said the city’s police department and its volunteer fire department could use equipment upgrades, and also had ideas for city government itself.

&#8220I think the council needs to be better informed,” she said. &#8220Our meetings need to be conducted in a more orderly fashion.”

To break down barriers between the council and citizens, &#8220I’d propose coffee with the council,” she added. The informal meetings would allow the council to gather input from residents and business people. Moreover, her door would be open to citizens’ concerns, she said.

Hawes, a Morgantown native, said she wanted to effect change when she first ran for city council four years ago and has always been interested in politics.

She served 20 years in the county clerk’s office as a deputy clerk, she said, and has been &#8220from one end of the state to the other the last 20 years” with a security microfilming business she owns with her husband, Kenneth.

Hawes, who has three stepchildren and nine grandchildren, would like to see more entertainment options for children in Morgantown.

&#8220That’s going to take everyone in the community working together. We can get grants for things,” she said.

Black said a convention center for the community is in the planning stages, and much-needed street work has been finished under his watch.

&#8220Continual, gradual improvement is what I’m interested in,” he added.

Black reminisced about his more than 30 years as Morgantown’s mayor.

&#8220I’ve learned how to recruit better. I’ve learned how to do street work better,” said Black, who was a high school band director when he took office. &#8220I don’t take these lines that it’s time for a change. Those don’t mean a whole lot.”