09/10/2026
Meet your Mayor
Jeff Barnhart
Married to Karson Richards-Barnhart
Parents- Mother Rennah (Ellis) Shaffer, (step father) late James F Shaffer, Father-late Rick Barnhart Both mother & father are 1969 graduates of South Harrison
In-laws-Jeff & Arline Richards
Grandparents-Late Clifford & Freda Mae Ellis(M) Late Orval & Lucille Barnhart(P)
Siblings-Brother-Chad(Jamie) Barnhart, Sister-Michelle(Brian)Watkins
Several nieces, nephews and cousins
Church-member West Milford UMC, attend West Milford Baptist Church
Education-West Milford Grade School-3rd grade, 3-6th Van Horn Elementary, Salem Jr High, Liberty High School, Graduate Wi******er Community High School, Indiana College-Indiana University, Anderson University, IN- Major Sports Medicine 2 years-work study-Indianapolis Colts 1990-1992 worked with Jeff George & Eric Dickerson summer camp Graduate of John Maxwell Leadership Scho
Moved back to WV to be with family 1992
Employment-1992 Harrison County Energency Services 911, 2006-Insurance agent-Monumental Life Insurance, Insure America, The Insurance Network(partner), AAA Insurance, Barnhart Financial Services-Focus on Medicare, Life, Disability, Long-term care, Annuities, work-site benefits
Community Involvement-1985 Salem Fire Dept, 1988 Wi******er Fire Dept, IN, 1992-Bridgeport FD, EMT/FF volunteer & part-time, West Milford FD, Anmoore FD, 1996-2000 President Harrison County Jr Police Academy, Clarksburg Elks, Harrison County Elks-(Officer-Leadership positions), FOP Mountaineer Lodge 78, West Milford Lions Club(Officer-Leadership positions), WV State Elks Assoc Drug Awareness Chairman, Lodge Scholarship Chairman, State Elks Assoc Scholarship-co-chair, 2008-2012 West Milford Councilman, 2018-2026 West Milford Recorder, 2026-West Milford Mayor
Like many other young men, encouraged by my family, I followed my father’s foot steps and became involved in emergency services at a very young age, until which time I was able to become active. I obtained formal and informal education as it relates to fire/ems and other emergency services. All during my early Junior High and High School days.
After high school I attended college at Indiana University and obtained a certificate in sports medicine. Then entered the sports medicine program at Anderson University, IN My college work study lead me to work with Indianapolis Colts during the summer camp on campus. The highlight was meeting Jeff George, Jack Trudeau, Eric Dickerson, Albert Bentley, Ivy Hunter, Coach Ron Meyer and Skip Smith.
I returned home to WV in 1992 began work with Harrison County Emergency Services(911) full-time I then took my college education and became an EMT/firefighter again, this time with Bridgeport FD as a volunteer and part-time employment, my experience and desire to assist others lead to to other fire/ems organizations in Harrison County where I have been able to forge lifetime friendships that is more like another family.
In 2006 with more of a challenge and desire to help others, I entered the Insurance industry with Monumental Life Insurance as an agent and then quickly being promoted into management. I was able to lead a staff of agents and exceeded goals. I was awarded the Chairman’s Roundtable and Rising Agent. Wanting to challenge myself further, I then became an insurance agent with Insure America, focusing on personal & commercial lines. As to challenge myself more, I became a partner with The Insurance Network then eventually would accept a corporate position with AAA Insurance. In 2021, I would then open my own agency-Barnhart Financial Services, focusing on Medicare, Life, Disability, Long-term care & work-site benefits. I continue enjoying assisting people to meet their healthcare and financial needs.
I first became interested in council in 2008 and served 2 terms on council. I then was able to meet my current wife Karson Richards and we married in 2011. We then moved from Good Hope back to West Milford when I was appointed to an open seat on council by then Mayor Richard Hymes. Then in 2018 I was elected as Recorder until which time I was elected Mayor in 2026
During the years serving on council I was able to be a part of a great team of others. We were able to secure funds for sidewalks, safe grants to schools, water upgrades, fire hydrant replacement and additions, grow our garbage sanitation to include dumpsters, development parks and recreation, dilapidation grants and many other projects to move our town forward. We continue to look for grants and to secure additional funds to allow for growth. Property values are now higher than they were 10 years ago, I credit that to the work of past and current council members. But none of this would be possible if it weren’t for the support of our citizens.
During the teacher strikes, I was instrumental in working with our church leaders to organize a feeding program for students and families. Realizing that most children were not receiving meals, caused an army of church members and community members to serve and deliver over 300 meals during the strike.
In 2020 citizens came forward to celebrate our 200th Anniversary. Josh Toothman and his wife Stacie created a chronological time table of our town and put it into a history. Josh also spoke of the town history during the celebration. Mayor Somers and other were happy with this celebration; hence the formation of the Old Mill and Float the Fork Festival was born in 2021. With the leadership of Mayor Somers and council, Island Park was developed with the vision to hold the festival in the park. The park is a beautiful setting along the banks of the West Fork River. We are soon to celebrate our 5th festival June 25-26, 2027. Anyone interested in assisting can reach out to me. You do not need to be a resident of West Milford to share your passion with this committee, we welcome all that are interested in growing this festival. With the additional acquisition of the property across the street to create an expansion of the park to include parking and additional amenities.
As new town leadership is in place, I believe we all focus on the betterment of our community. This is possible by listening to needs and making the tough decisions to better serve all.
We have the best employees that any town would love to have. From friendly and knowledgeable office staff to our two Public Works employees who strive to provide safe drinking water by daily testing and ongoing maintenance of tank, valves and lines. These employees provide upkeep of town property, keep our streets clean in winter time, perform maintenance on town property, all of which save thousands of dollars to our citizens and tax payers. The town has several great businesses that also provide for tax base that supports the growth of our community.
Council meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm We invite you to attend and view your council at work, for the betterment of our town.
