T-L Photo/KAILEY CARPINO Councilman Thomas Burns, left, says his goodbyes to his fellow Martions Ferry Coity Council members just before Christmas. Councilman James Agnew, right, looks on. Burns specified that he wore a mask because he was suffering from a cold and that he did not have COVID-19.

MARTINS FERRY — Councilman Thomas Burns said his goodbyes to his fellow Martins Ferry City Council members during its final meeting of the year on Dec. 21.

Burns said he wanted to address council one last time before his term ended.

“This is my last address to council, and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me in my endeavors for the city and my six years as a city councilman in Martins Ferry, Ohio. I ran again in 2023, as I believe that I had more to offer our citizenry and my goals in service to our community were unfinished,” he said. “I have been a proponent of livestreaming our city council meetings for three years, and I’m glad that will now come to fruition.”

He also said he has been pushing to get Zane Highway paved and is glad the project is finally completed.

“I have also been concerned about the conditions of our water plant. Ever since we began selling water to Bridgeport, the age and wear and tear on it concerned me, and many other issues such as our budget, income tax collection, infrastructure, our safety forces, service personnel, performance bonds, plus many other issues have concerned me for many years,” he said.

Even though he is leaving council, Burns said he is involved with other organizations that will keep him busy.

“Recently I’ve become involved with the newly reformed University of Akron football booster clubs, our client leadership program for student-athletes, which is an advocacy and membership group for student-athletes, the Varsity “A” Association and the alumni association,” he said.

Burns said he was asked to be a board member and accepted the position.

Burns said he would like to continue to ride with Martins Ferry law enforcement officers if Police Chief Jerry Murphy approves it.

“I enjoy the interaction with our citizens and youth,” he said.

“I am here for all of you,” he continued. “Feel free to call on me if you need anything. May God bless all of you and our city in the coming year.”

“On behalf of council, we thank you for your service,” President of Council Kristine Davis said.

Mayor John Davies said he would also like to thank Burns for his work on council.

Burns has served on city council for six years. He is a member of various city committees including finance, annexation, enterprise zone, code administration, service and real estate. He also serves as the chairman of the cemetery committee and a liaison to the park commission.

Ben Neiman will be taking Burns’ seat starting in January. Three seats were up for grabs during the Nov. 7 election with four candidates vying for the seats.

According to totals provided by the Belmont County Board of Elections, Neiman received 720 votes, Councilman Jim Agnew received 685 votes, Councilman James Schramm received 636 votes and Burns received 522 votes.

Neiman previously served on Martins Ferry City Council for two years. He said he worked for the city for many years in various departments including the sanitation department, sewer department and street department. He also worked at the Martins Ferry Liberty Engine Company as a firefighter, captain and first lieutenant.