ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Councilwoman Linda Jordan has been a leading figure on City Council for two terms, but now she is preparing to end her term after an unsuccessful mayoral race and said she looks forward to continuing her career of public service.

“I am extremely honored and blessed to have served as a council member, and I am so grateful to the citizens for allowing me that honor,” she said, adding she has maintained near-perfect attendance and held to her principles when circumstances grew heated.

“I look back with pride in the manner that I did serve, and because of knowledge and research I had the confidence while serving and the confidence knowing that my votes were all based on facts and figures and not emotions or popularity. During my campaign for mayor, it was really great to discover how many citizens actually have been following me throughout the years and are aware of my knowledge of the city and concern for it. They, too, are extremely concerned and caring. The citizens of St. Clairsville are wonderful, and I’m just very, very grateful to have had the opportunity,” she said.

Jordan said the city also has much to look forward to.

“There are some huge projects happening and expected to happen, that being the water project of course and the expected hospital,” she said, referring to waterline upgrades and the construction of a Trinity neighborhood hospital along U.S. 40. “I would say as long as the administration and council work together – which I’m sure they will – I’m sure those projects will go quite well.”

Jordan’s first term was under the prior mayoral administration of Terry Pugh, and her current one is under Mayor Kathryn Thalman’s.

“Right now we have an administration that was pretty unaware of having worked with government, so it’s got to be tough for them to know how it’s actually supposed to take place, but they’re learning,” Jordan said. “I’m there if they ever need me, anybody on council, to answer any questions.”

After closing out her term as a councilwoman, Jordan will be joining the board of the Belmont County Community Improvement Corp., which is dedicated to encouraging economic development.

“My first actual meeting will be in February,” Jordan said, adding she met recently with the lieutenant governor’s office.

“I am excited about this. I love what the CIC does for businesses. They help in so many ways that I didn’t even realize, so I look forward to serving on that board.”

Jordan said this will be her first time on that board. She appreciates the enthusiasm of Executive Director Crystal Lorimor.

Jordan said she will bring her communications skills and government experience to bear in helping businesses make the most of their opportunities to grow.

“I really, really like people, and I just have the ability to really communicate with people and get to know people,” she said. “I enjoy people. I enjoy meeting new people, and I enjoy getting to know new people.

“I love this city and we’ve been here all our lives, my husband and family. The citizens are great.”

For her part, Lorimor said the CIC will be welcoming Jordan and Brian Hendershot of Powhatan Point to three-year terms.

“We try to look for folks who are active in their community, either government or business-wise,” she said, adding the goal is coverage across the county by people in various fields. “They’ll be really good. Their energy, their excitement, their willingness to think outside the box and be creatives. All these things will be assets.”

Jordan and Councilwoman Beth Oprisch both chose not to seek reelection. Their council-at-large seats were filled by Holly West and Lucien Murzyn.