Mayor James Gatz, right, swears Carrie Blessing into the open position on the Shepherdstown town council on May 14. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On May 14, Shepherdstown resident Carrie Blessing was sworn into the vacated position on the town council in the Corporation of Shepherdstown, during its monthly meeting.

The seat, which was formerly held by now-Town Recorder Marty Amerikaner, has been empty since March. According to Blessing, her interest in filling this vacancy was prompted by her love for her hometown.

“I care about this town and the people in it. Shepherdstown has shaped who I am, and I want to help ensure it remains a vibrant, inclusive and thoughtful community,” Blessing said on Wednesday. “I saw the open seat as an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way — to listen, to learn and to serve.”

Blessing has pursued political office once before — she ran as the Democratic candidate for Shepherdstown’s open position on the Jefferson County Commission last year.

Although she lost that race, her desire to serve her community through political office remained strong.

In her new position, Blessing said she hopes to be an advocate for positive change.

“In a broad sense, I hope to be helpful — to offer something steady and compassionate in a time when many people feel unheard or left behind. More specifically, I’d like to see us pay closer attention to the parts of town that have historically been overlooked — particularly our east and west sides,” Blessing said. “I endeavor to approach challenges creatively and think outside the usual framework. I believe the time is ripe for that. There’s an energy right now that supports fresh thinking, and I’d like to help move us in that direction.”

Outside of the political sphere, Blessing has already shown her love for the local community by serving in a number of roles, including as president of the Shepherdstown Community Club and volunteer with Jefferson County Community Ministries.

“I think there’s real potential in encouraging more collaboration between the town, the university and all the wonderful service organizations that are at work here,” Blessing said. “Serving with the Shepherdstown Community Club has given me a close-up of how much can be accomplished when people care about their neighbors and are willing to pitch in and how much work is involved, as well as the patience for the process. These kinds of collaborative efforts take patience, as well as persistence, and I think those are qualities I’ll bring to the town council. It’s about seeing the big picture, knowing it’s always shifting and being able to pivot when necessary.”

Blessing also comes to the position with the ability to understand the needs of local business owners, as she has been the owner of her own small business, Ritual Care, LLC, for the past five years.

The greatest challenge for Blessing, in her new position, will likely be stepping into it 10 months later than the rest of her colleagues. However, Blessing said she believed she was up to the challenge.

“Stepping in midstream always comes with its challenges — learning the ropes, building trust and getting caught up on what’s already in play. But I’ve been involved in community work for a long time, and I’m comfortable doing more listening than talking, when I first join a table,” Blessing said. “Reflection is a part of how I receive information, and I have a respectful curiosity for life — that can go a long way. I plan to lean into both of these.”

Mayor James Gatz said he was confident in Blessing’s ability to serve Shepherdstown well in this position.

“We are pleased to announce that the Shepherdstown Town Council has appointed Carrie Jane Blessing to serve out the council term ending on June 30, 2026,” said a press release from the Corporation of Shepherdstown. “(Carrie) Blessing, a lifelong resident of Shepherdstown, is active in many community organizations and is the current president of the Shepherdstown Community Club, where she has worked tirelessly to support club events and advocate for our community.”