T-L Photo/J.D. LONG Jacke Regis Sr., from left, the lone Democrat running for Belmont County commissioner, joins incumbent Republican Jerry Echemann and his primary challenger, Republican Vince Gianangeli, to debate the issues Sunday night in Martins Ferry.

MARTINS FERRY — Three candidates for a seat on the Belmont County Board of Commissioners met Sunday evening at the Martins Ferry Veterans Memorial Recreation Center.

Current Martins Ferry Councilman Jack Regis Sr., a Democrat, joined current Republican Commissioner Jerry Echemann and Republican Vince Gianangeli before a crowd of nearly two dozen people to debate their ideas and what they want for the county. The event began with all three stressing a gentlemanly approach to the evening and, for the most part, that was the tone of the event.

Each candidate had three minutes to speak to each issue and additional time for rebuttal. They were allowed five minutes each for opening and closing statements.

Echemann opened the proceedings by noting the endorsement he received from the Belmont County Republican Party and that it was an unusual step for the local party to take.

“Which I don’t think the local party has ever endorsed before in a primary like that,” he told the crowd and said he was proud to have that support.

Echeman, a Martins Ferry resident, said one of the first projects completed when he first became a commissioner was the remodeling of the St. Clairsville complex formerly operated by The Health Plan in St. Clairsville off of U.S. 40. It now contains divisional courts with holding cells for prisoners, as well as the board of elections and other county agencies.

“That kind of dominated my first year in office,” Echemann said. “After that it was the pandemic.”

He said he felt the commissioners guided the public through the transition to the new location in a successful manner and added that sales tax receipts dropped “considerably” during the pandemic

Echemann also touched on levies and the importance of keeping an eye on them, saying they tend to bring in more money than could be used. He touched on high-speed broadband, forming a planning commission and building a new water treatment plant in Bellaire that is nearly complete.

Gianangeli, of Colerain, followed by congratulating Echemann on his accomplishments then noted his own lifelong residency in Belmont County. He said he doesn’t believe in the government solving all of society’s problems and doesn’t care about separation of church and state. When asked to explain, he cited his Catholic faith and said he would like to see prayer in school. Gianangeli is the current principal of St. John Central Academy.

“As a Republican, the separation of church and state is not that important to me,” he said. “I believe that much of what is wrong in our world today is due to groups trying their best to keep church and state separate.”

Gianangeli also pointed to his 38 years in public service, which includes work for the state auditor’s office and as former director of Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services. He also served as treasurer of the Belmont County Children Services Levy Committee and press secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Gianangeli spoke of several union endorsements he’s received. Echemann countered by pointing out that he has a union background as well.

“I was the guy who brought in the union at Channel 7 (WTRF) back in 1987,” he said. “It’s called the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.”

Regis took his turn last as the unopposed Democrat and said he’s now in his 44th year serving on Martins Ferry City Council. He made a point of saying he has no axes to grind, “just a different perspective,” after telling the audience he has the “utmost respect” for the two Republican candidates sitting to his left.

Regis – and Gianangeli – commended Martins Ferry Mayor John Davies for his efforts in toward the reopening of East Ohio Regional Hospital. Echemann also spoke of the benefits of the local medical facilities and senior centers around the area, specifically highlighting EORH, as well.

A member of the audience later asked about the proposed PTT Global Chemical America ethane cracker plant and what is plan B if it doesn’t come to fruition, especially for the land at Dilles Bottom. There were no clear answers but PTTGCA owns the property, which means the commissioners do not have authority to say what could go there in PTT’s place.

Echemann said the land is ripe for development by anyone and would “naturally lend itself to suitors.” Regis painted himself as a glass half-full type and said he is in favor of PTT coming in. He noted, though, how things sometimes have to be played close to the vest.