ST. CLAIRSVILLE — In this time of giving thanks, local officials and residents took time to speak about their reasons for gratitude and how they might be spending the Thanksgiving holiday.

“In this time of year, Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that kind of gets overlooked and forgotten a little bit,” Belmont County Commissioner Josh Meyer said. “I’m very thankful for a lot of things. Family, friends, my staff and colleagues, (the public) who asks us some tough questions and keep us on our toes. … It’s an honor and a privilege.”

“I’m thankful for my reelection, thankful that it’s over and the people decided to put me back in for another term,” Commissioner Jerry Echemann said, adding he looks forward to spending time with family. “It’s my favorite holiday also.”

“I’m standing vertical,” auctioneer and county GOP Chairman David Jones joked. “I’m thankful for what the Lord’s provided. I’m thankful for where I live in Belmont County.”

“Family, get-togethers, just the blessings that the dear Lord’s given us,” Johnny Waugh, a union organizer from the St. Clairsville area, said. “All our family comes in, all the kids and grandkids and we have a big dinner. … That makes all the difference in the world, because family’s the most important thing.”

Pultney Township Trustee Frank Shaffer said he is thankful for the opportunity to promote infrastructure projects.

“I’m glad to be part of it, that somebody’s letting me be part of it to help these people out,” he said. Recently, he learned the Belmont County subcommittee of the Ohio Public Works Commission did not approve Shadyside’s proposed cooperative paving project with Pultney Township and the county. “It didn’t work out, but it can happen next year.”

“I am thankful for my family, and I am thankful for the country that I live in, and I’m thankful to be in the position that I’m in, and I’m thankful for my staff,” Belmont County Clerk of Courts Cynthia Fregiato said. “We’ll be spending it with family.”

“I’m actually traveling to my daughter’s, taking my 84-year-old mother with me to visit her great-granddaughter,” Belmont County Auditor Cindi Henry said. “I’m grateful for the fact that everybody’s still healthy, we’re all hanging in there and I’ve got three adorable grandchildren.”

“I am thankful for my family, my job and the roof over my head and the breath in my lungs. I’m thankful for everything at this point,” Belmont County Treasurer Kathy Kelich said. “My family is coming in to my house, that’s what we traditionally do. We have Thanksgiving dinner at my house, and just enjoying the Ohio State/Michigan game.”

“Obviously thankful for family and friends and my children,” St. Clairsville Safety and Service Director Jeremy Greenwood said, pointing out a picture of his son, Jonathan Greenwood, now serving in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in Germany. He looks forward to speaking with Jonathan over Zoom. “I’m kind of missing him.”

He said he was also thankful that the city’s many infrastructure projects are progressing.

“The ability to come through and work and try to make this city overall just a better place for everybody,” Greenwood said.