SWORN IN — Taking their oaths of office Tuesday were Steubenville’s Mayor-elect, Ralph Petrella; 4th Ward Councilman Royal Mayo, returning for his second term; incoming 6th Ward Councilwoman Jennifer Terpenning; and Municipal Judge John Mascio, who also was re-elected. Their terms in office begin Jan. 1. -- Linda Harris

STEUBENVILLE — With just one special meeting to go before his tenure ends, a reflective Mayor Jerry Barilla said his goodbyes to council Tuesday.

Barilla, wrapping up an eight-year stint in the mayor’s office, also offered words of encouragement to his successor, Mayor-elect Ralph Petrella and Sixth Ward Councilwoman-elect Jennifer Terpenning. Both are political newcomers though when he was growing up Petrella spent countless hours at city hall alongside his late father, Craig, a longtime councilman.

“I wish you the best of luck, best of success,” Barilla told him. “I served with your father. I remember him sitting over here during council meetings. He was so very proud of you and will always stand beside you. Keep true to your faith, be positive and encouraging and respect all that come before you.”

He reminded Terpenning that “the people of the Sixth Ward had confidence and trusted you to serve as their representative.”

“One of the most important aspects of being on City Council is to listen,” he added. “It’s extremely important.”

Earlier in the evening, Municipal Judge John Mascio had administered oaths of office to Petrella and Terpenning as well as incumbent Councilman Royal Mayo, returned for a second term as Fourth Ward representative. Mascio, in turn, was sworn in by Barilla.

Council also passed resolutions thanking Barilla and outgoing Sixth Ward Councilman Mike Hernon for their service, pausing the meeting to reflect on the significance of the moment.

“If there’s a person who truly loves this city, it’s the mayor,” Mayo said. “He absolutely loves this city more than anybody I know. It’s been a pleasure to work with him, a pleasure watching him care about and nurture and just love the city of Steubenville with all his heart, and I truly thank him for that.”

Fifth Ward Councilman Ted Gorman celebrated their “friendship and honesty,” while Hernon told him “You were everywhere, a little bit like ‘Where’s Waldo’ in the community.”

“Whether as a small business owner, whether it be in the work in the fort, whether it be helping lead … the city, you are a champion of the city, and you have been for decades,” he said.

Councilman at large Joel Walker said he’d been the “face of Steubenville.”

“You pretty much put Steubenville ahead of yourself,” Walker said. “You do everything you can to better Steubenville and I can’t say anything else other than I’m glad you didn’t miss any day so I didn’t have to (fill in for you).”

Law Director Costa Mastros called Barilla “an example we all can learn from,” while City Manager Jim Mavromatis, who will retire in March, told the mayor the “best word to describe you is heart:. You’ve got to have heart — and you do — for this city, because you have lived it, breathed it and eat it, and it shows by your character, not only at the fort, but here.”

Third ward Councilwoman Heather Hoover told Barilla his “vision inspired me to do all the things (I’ve done) with my students and bring them into the city and allow them to see what is great here. And that’s because of you, because you inspire all of us.”

First Ward Councilman Dave Albaugh pointed out generations of his family had shopped at Barilla’s store over the years. “There has never been a bad word about this man, and I was honored to be able to work with him,” he said.

Second Ward Councilman Tracy McManamon displayed the latest drawing of what an inclusive park at Jim Wood Park might look like. Still in the planning stages, he said they hope to have the plan finalized by the end of the year so they can start fundraising.

Barilla, he said, is going to be a big part of that process.

“He’s going to stay with me and us and try to get this playground the money raised and get it built,” McManamon said. “And we want to start this process in 2026, so he’s not going anywhere. He’s just not going to be sitting up there anymore.”

Barilla, for his part, said it’s “been my greatest honor to serve as mayor of my hometown and a privilege to be a part of city council and its administration.”

“I truly enjoyed the office of mayor and hope that I have, in some small way, made a positive difference in the past eight years,” he said.

Barilla thanked Mastros for “steering this ship through times of stress with a positive outcome” and Mavromatis for “his devotion to his hometown, his father’s legacy, his commitment to serving the citizens of Steubenville and his professionalism, which set him apart from others of the past. He has kept the city in the black throughout his tenure, his devotion to his job is outstanding, and I’m grateful for our friendship.”

He also told council, department heads and members of the public that he was “proud of the city’s administration and all its departments, its department heads and the citizens of Steubenville.”

“It’s been an honor to serve with you, the council,” he added. “I admire you and thank you for all that you have done, all that you do, and your commitment to the city of Steubenville and its citizens, focusing on what is right and just choosing need over want.”

He also singled out Hernon, who chose not to run for reelection to the 6th Ward council seat, pointing out they’re leaving at the same time.

“I want to say to you that the city of Steubenville is a better place because of you, your professionalism, your wisdom and your vision,” he said, his voice breaking as he told the them, “Thank all of you. God bless all of you, and may you be the life of those around you.”