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The terms of four current Marshall County mayors end on June 30, as well as 18 council members from the five county municipalities.
In addition to the mayors and city council members, there are other offices whose terms also expire at the end of this year, among them county clerk, county commission, circuit clerk, board of education, House of Delegates and state Senate.
A breakdown of some of offices are:
Benwood
The four year term of Mayor Walter W. Yates will be up as of June 30, along with four council members. They are Curtis Mele, first ward; Larry Ferrera III, second ward; Bud Lundsford, third ward; and Bob Rose, fourth ward. Four other council members have two years remaining of their terms. Another city employee, police chief Frank Longwell, sees jos four-year term expire.
Cameron
The term of Mayor H. Greg Gallentine also expires on June 30. The mayor's term is for two years. The terms of three council members expire on June 30, they are: Richmond Johnson, first ward; Sherry Johnson, second ward; and Joseph Wendt, third. Three others have two years remaining of their term.
Glen Dale
The terms of Mayor David Blazer and city recorder Gerald Trembush expire this year as well as council members Eric Anderson and Lou Richmond. Three of the current council have two years remaining.
McMechen
The terms of Mayor David Goddard, along with all six council members -- Howie Stamp and Bill Wilson, first ward; Danielle McCombs and Mark Martin, second ward; Charles Schultz and Grant Hercules, third ward -- are up.
Moundsville
The term of Mayor Dave Wood expires this year, as does those of Ginger DeWitt and Sara Wood-Shaw.
The terms of three Marshall County Board of Education members expire in June: Brenda Coffield, Duane Miller and Christie Robison.
County employees whose terms expire at the end of this year are: John Gruzinskas, county commission; Joe Rucki, circuit clerk; Melanie Madden, county clerk.
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A virtual program pertaining to World War II Espionage and Trains will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library. The public is invited to participate.
Appearing as a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad, Ken Serfass will illuminate a fascinating corner of World II set in Appalachia.
The title of the program, "Long Trains Roll: WWII Espionage and the PA Railroad,'' will be a virtual program through Zoom or Facebook.
Catherine Feryok of the library staff stated, "Locals may remember Serfass from his previous performances at the library, portraying Ulysses S. Grant.''
She adds, "In this coming event, Serfass will interweave historical background about the Pennsylvania Railroad with the story of an actual Nazi plot to sabotage Altoona's famous Horseshoe Curve.''
"His presentation is inspired by a fictionalized version of this tale of espionage found in the 1944 novel, "The Long Trains Roll'' by Stephen Meader, told from a young railroader's perspective,'' she added.
As to Serfess, he was known as Gunnery Sgt. Kenneth J. Serfass, a Pennsylvania native who joined the United States Marine Corps in 1984 which was his final tour with the First Marine Division Band during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired from the Marine Corps in July 2004 to become a music teacher.
A Civil War reenactor since boyhood, Serfass is now a professional living historian with a focus on portraying Ulysses S. Grant. However, as a lifelong train enthusiast with training on the Strasburg Railroad, which runs stream locomotives for tourist rides, and as a part-time brakeman on the East Broad Top Railroad, he spins his passion for history in a different direction for this special "Long Trains Roll'' presentation.
The library's virtual program is free and aimed at adults and students.
The library has offered a variety of virtual events since most in-person programming was suspended due to COVID-19. Zoom will be used for the Jan. 10 event will permit persons to join as an unseen audience while the presenter offers an online performance.
To log on to the program persons are to find the Zoom link on the library's Facebook Page, or call or email the library.
The event is being sponsored by the Robert Baker Family.
For more information, call the library at 304-845-6911.
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The Marshall County FRN's General Membership will be holding an online meeting at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Each member who wants to participate will have an opportunity to briefly discuss their organization and updates at the meeting.
The FRN will be holding additional general membership meetings on April 12, July 12 and Oct. 11.
Speaking of the FRN, I received an e-mail from that organization stating that Appalachian Outreach, a charitable relief and support organization, is seeking a new director, and anyone wishing to learn about Appalachian Outreach, can visit their website: appalachianoutreach.org/
I understand that Rose Hart, the founder, has retired.
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The Marshall County Commission had only a few matters on the first gathering of the new year Tuesday, with one being the electing of a president with John Gruzinskas returning to the seat.
Also, Melanie Madden assumed her position as county clerk on Tuesday, replacing Jan Pest who resigned as of Dec. 31.
Among those in attendance at the council meeting was Roseann Ferro who began her job two months ago as regional coordinate for United States Senator Joe Manchin III. The six counties she represents being Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler.
She is the wife of Marshall County Commissioner Mike Ferro.