By Nikki Blankenship 12/14/19 3:39 pm
Each applicant to the soon-to-be-vacated 5th Ward seat comes with a different set of skills and expertise. For applicant Will Mault, that difference comes from being a Portsmouth native and a successful businessman.
Steven Wilton Mault, known in the community as “Will” grew up in Portsmouth as a member of the 6th Ward. Scioto County born and raised, he attended Harding Elementary. Following, Mault attended vocational school and graduated from Portsmouth East High School in 1987. Mault added that he also attend Notre Dame Schools briefly. In 1995, Mault graduated with a B.A. in Social Sciences.
Though living in the 6th Ward at the time, Mault had an insider view of the 5th Ward early on as he grew up in local eatery, The Ribber, opened by the Mault Family on Gallia St. in 1978. Running both The Ribber and The Portsmouth Brewing company, Mault explained that he has always been an active member of the community, which is why he thinks he is well suited for this Council position.
As a local businessman, Mault says he has acquired networking skills.
“Being in business on the regular so to speak, I think that will come into play. My social skills from dealing with the public on a regular basis in business, I think translates well into city government,” Mault stated.
However, his experience in business is not all Mault brings to the table. He has been a Central Rublican Committee member for 14 years, running unopposed throughout his tenure. Through that experience, Mault says he has worked with numerous politicians in various levels of government from local government to Congress. And, he’s thrown his hat in for a position serving the City of Portsmouth in the past. Mault explained that many years ago, he ran for 6th Ward Council and lost against Richard Noel. In 2005, he also vied for a chance to serve as Mayor, losing in the Primaries.
Mault explained that his tenacious desire to serve in politics comes from a desire to see good things happen in his community, hoping his personal success would lend to community success.
“We’ve done pretty well in business here, between The Ribber and The Brewery, and I think that if I were in city government it would translate over into positive things for the City of Portsmouth,” Mault commented.
He also added that he sees his role in local business as a benefit to Council and does not foresee any reason why it would interfere.
With political aspirations already in mind, Mault explained that he saw the resignation of 5th Ward Councilman Gene Meadows as an opportunity to get into the position and give it a try before developing a campaign and committing to a full term.
“I had planned on running for this position regardless, whether Gene stepped down from this position or not. I had planned on running two years from now, and then the position came up for appointment, so I decided to apply,” Mault explained.
If appointed to the 5th Ward seat, Mault said he would like to focus on the little stuff. He went through numerous photos of infrastructure issues within the 5th Ward, including traffic signs that are faded so badly they are no longer legible, potholes in the road and weeds growing through cracks in sidewalks and pavement. Though small improvements, Mault explained that these are blight and safety issues that his constituents face everyday.
In addition to working in business and politics, Mault has raised his two children in Portsmouth and now has grandchildren living in the area. For his family, he would like to do his part in contributing to the improvement of his hometown.
The City of Portsmouth started taking applications for the 5th Ward Council position after Councilman Meadows announced he would be leaving the position last month. Meadow’s resignation will take effect Monday, Dec. 16. The individual appointed to fill the position will serve the remainder of Meadow’s term, up for reelection in two years. Mault is applying alongside Barbara Biggs, Attorney George Davis IV, Edwin Martel and Rob Black.
City Clerk Diana Ratliff explained that the deadline to apply for the position was Thursday, and Council is expected to interview applicants towards the end of Monday night’s meeting set for 6 p.m. in Council Chambers located on the second floor of the municipal building on Second St. in Portsmouth.
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