Mucci honored for community service
Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- Members of City Council never had the opportunity to thank former Mayor Domenick Mucci Jr. for his service to the community when he stepped down from the post three years ago.
They made up for that during Tuesday's meeting, offering a resolution recognizing him for the 36 years he spent in city government and his other work in the community.
"It has taken us three years to do this," said 5th Ward Councilman Willie Paul while making the presentation.
Paul, a longtime friend of Mucci's, explained that the city had been hit with a crisis that left the downtown area without water in the weeks after Mucci's last meeting, and members of council got caught up in finding solutions to that issue.
"I want to thank members of council for this resolution," Mucci said. "It's never too late, Willie, and I really do appreciate this."
Mucci became a member of City Council when he was elected to the 2nd Ward seat in 1981. He moved into the council at large post in 1988 when W. Curtis Klein resigned, and became mayor in January 1993 when he succeeded the late Dave Hindman, who had been elected as a Jefferson County commissioner.
It was a post he held until he chose to not seek re-election in 2017.
He was the longtime CEO and president of Mucci Printing, a business started by his father.
"I remember going to his father's print shop," Paul said. "My father was a 3rd Ward councilman and we'd go and get our materials, and I remember Domenick was in the back running off the signs, the matches and everything else you could get there."
Community involvement always has been a part of Mucci's life and included work on numerous local and regional boards and organizations. That list included service as the CEO and president of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, the city health board, the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, the United Way of Jefferson County, the Jaycees and the Lions Club.
In 1997, he served as the chair and coordinator of the city's bicentennial committee.
Tuesday's recognition was the second time in as many weeks that council has honored Mucci. Members voted last week to rename Steele Avenue as Mucci Way. His family, Mucci said, was excited to learn about the honor.
Sixth Ward Councilman Bob Villamagna and 2nd Ward Councilman Craig Petrella said they felt honored to have been able to serve with Mucci.
"When I first got on council, I didn't always see things the way they were," Villamagna said. "We had a lot of discussion about that. You always found time to talk with me, even though I always argued a point with you."
Those discussions became so heated, in fact, that Mucci once had to have Villamagna removed from a council meeting. The two remain good friends.
"I realize now that you definitely brought out the best from all of us on council," Villamaga said. "I've called several times for advice since you've been gone, and you always found the time to answer any question. I'm glad I had the chance to work with you."
Those sentiments were shared by Petrella.
"We discussed many issues and everyone had a strong opinion," Petrella said, "One thing I will say about Dom, the other councils I've served on in the past and this council -- we always put the city first, and everything else fell into line."
Mayor Jerry Barilla, who succeeded Mucci, said that plaques recognizing Mucci and Delores Wiggins, a local civil rights leader, will be placed in the City Building.
Mucci said the honors are important and have helped him reflect on his service to the city.
"I realized that none of this would have been possible without the support of the citizens of Steubenville," he said. "For 36 years they had placed their faith and confidence in me being a part of the city and leading the city. That is really gratifying."
In other business:
– Council passed by a 7-0 vote an ordinance authorizing the advertisement for a request for qualifications for professional consulting services under Ohio's Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program.
¯ Paul and Councilwoman at large Kimberly Hahn expressed concern about the number of people who have been driving their vehicles over top of the snow in city parks and in front of Catholic Central High School. "We're going to be looking at cameras, and you will be given citations," Hahn said.
¯ Villamagna called a planning committee meeting for 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday to discuss property maintenance issues Petrella had brought up.
¯ Paul called a finance committee meeting for 6:30 p.m. March 9.
¯ City Manager James Mavromatis said workers had finished making temporary repairs on the 120-foot section of Sunset Boulevard that was damaged on Friday when a 10-inch water line broke. Mavromatis said city crews had done a remarkable job on the repairs to the water line and the street. He also thanked city employees for keeping the streets open during last week's ice storm.