COAL GROVE -

Larry McDaniel has nearly a decade and a half of experience on the village council and hopes to continue serving the community as its next mayor.

McDaniel, 51, filed his petition to run for the office with the Lawrence County Board of Elections Friday.

A Coal Grove resident for the past 26 years, McDaniel said his time on council and the needs of the village fueled his desire to run for the position.

"I just felt like with my experience, I could handle the job," he said. "I just want to be a mayor for the people - someone people can call on."

Dependability and long-term dedication have been a hallmark of McDaniel's political and professional career, he said. He has served on council since 1989 and has been a control room operator at Sunoco Chemical in Kenova, W.Va., for nearly 30 years.

He hopes to use these qualities and more to help solve the village's problems, he said.

If elected, McDaniel said he will focus on improving the village's financial situation and develop good communication channels with the council.

"The biggest challenge the village faces is the finances," he said. "We need to work toward attracting more businesses to the village."

Overall, McDaniel said he wants to be accessible and approachable if he is elected.

"My door is always open," he said. "I am always willing to talk to people and work out any problems they have."

Raising his family in the village, McDaniel married his wife, Vickie, 31 years ago. They have two sons and daughters-in-law who still live in the area.

Shawn McDaniel and his wife, Audra, live in the village. Jeremy McDaniel and his wife, Kellie, live in Ironton, McDaniel said.

McDaniel is not the only official candidate for mayor. Councilman Kenneth Pyles filed for the mayoral election last month. Current Mayor Tom McKnight said he has picked up his petition, but has not officially filed.