New year, new terms for Wintersville officials
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WINTERSVILLE -- The new year will mean the beginning of new terms for three Wintersville officials who reflected on their goals after gathering Tuesday to be administered oaths of office by Wintersville county court Judge Michael Bednar.
The three -- Mayor Bob Gale and Councilmembers Gael Damron and Dr. Michael Ross -- will join other village officials for the first council meeting of the year at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Wintersville Municipal Building.
It will be the fourth four-year term for Gale, who acknowledged in his first three terms, he's seen good and bad, including the death of his wife following a 10-year battle with cancer.
He said despite her illness, Janine never missed a Wintersville Council meeting.
Gale said he's pleased to have been involved in ensuring the village is financially sound, upgrading equipment for the police department and bringing improvements to Wintersville's water and sewer lines.
"But the bottom line is, there's still more work to be done," he said.
Gale looks forward to the paving of Meadowbrook Drive, which was delayed from last year's paving projects by weather, as well as Frank P. Layman Boulevard and other streets, noting some will require additional funding.
He said at least 35 percent of the village's aging water and sewer lines have been replaced, leaving still more to be addressed. Among them are lines serving the Moon Valley area that allow rainwater to enter the village's wastewater treatment plant during heavy rains, he noted.
Gale said through the efforts of Village Administrator Walter Ziemba and others, the village has secured grants that have meant residents have not had to face the expense of such projects.
He hopes with the help of local legislators, state funding can be secured for them and additions to Wintersville Park. Noting public restrooms were added to the site last year, the mayor said grants will be pursued for a basketball court and splash pad there.
Gale said it soon will be time to renegotiate the village's water contract with Jefferson County officials.
He added a growing number of village staff are nearing retirement age. Many are in the street department, which will mean the village must entice applicants who hold professional driver's licenses from higher-paying jobs in the oil and gas industry.
"But we're up for the challenges, we know what's ahead and we're going to work hard to serve our residents," Gale said.
Damron is the newest addition to Wintersville Council, having defeated incumbent Brad Degenkolb in November, but is no stranger to the village.
A lifelong village resident, she has owned and operated Heavenly Coach Limousines and other businesses there. Damron said her children also live and own businesses in Wintersville, and she hopes to encourage new businesses to fill vacant properties there.
"I just want to see Wintersville thrive and prosper, to move forward in a positive manner," she said.
Damron added she wants it to be for the village's current youth the same safe, clean and pleasant community in which she grew up. She said speeding is a problem in some areas and Children at Play signs are needed to keep youth safe.
Damron said she looks forward to working with all Wintersville officials.
Ross noted his education in local government began after he was appointed in July to fill the seat of Phyllis Foreman, who resigned after many years on council.
Ross said since then he's learned a lot from listening to other officials and residents and will continue to take that approach moving forward.
A Follansbee native and former resident of Steubenville, where he operates a medical practice, Ross said he's enjoyed living in Wintersville since he moved there in 2016.
He said since moving there, he's seen many new businesses open, and he will help to support that trend.
"I believe that's a consensus among all of us. We want Wintersville to grow. We want to let people know we're open for business," Ross said.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)