Photo Provided Councilwoman Linda Jordan announced her candidacy for mayor of St. Clairsville. She said her administration would be one of strength, respect and dignity.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The city’s mayoral race in this Nov. 7 general election will be a three-sided contest, with Councilwoman Linda Jordan announcing her campaign and officially filing with the Belmont County Board of Elections.

She will face candidate Bill Brooks and incumbent Mayor Kathryn Thalman, who already announced their campaigns.

While council meetings have been contentious for the past several years during both the current and previous administrations, often with raised voices and heated words between some council members and residents including Brooks, Jordan is positioning herself as a stable force who will help bring dignity and civility to city affairs.

Jordan also cites her experience being a part of city government.

Thalman is completing her first four-year term and Brooks has lost prior races for mayor and council positions.

“After much prayer and consideration, my family and I have decided that my eight years as a city councilwoman as well as my involvement in various other aspects of the city, have provided me with the experience to serve all citizens of St. Clairsville in the role of mayor. I will therefore be entering the race as a candidate. I encourage any and all St. C. residents who may have questions or concerns they’d like to discuss with me to feel free to email me at ldjstc@comcast.net,” she wrote in a text message.

“During the past 30 years I’ve been proudly serving the city in some capacity. For several years I served as the city’s appointee to the recreation board, then as the city’s appointee to the park board, moving on to serve several years as one of the city’s civil service commissioners. I’ve also served as a member of the city’s charter review committee.”

Jordan is active in community life and can be frequently seen during the yearly Bible reading leading up to the National Day of Prayer.

Jordan plans to share more of her background with the city residents at a later date.

In December, Jordan clashed with Thalman when she voted against passing two emergency ordinances to establish a park and recreation fund to receive donations raised during a 5K Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. Jordan found the ordinances would not be legal and comply with the Ohio Revised Code. Thalman spoke against Jordan’s decision on social media, but Jordan was correct in the issue.

“Currently serving my second term as a city councilwoman, I’ve continued to research and have been vocal about various legalities of legislation, and have voted accordingly, proving my strength and confidence,” she texted.

There have been other clashes in council meetings. In May, Brooks was escorted from a council meeting and is now charged with criminal trespassing and disturbing a lawful meeting, this after he was banned from attending council meetings following altercations with city leaders and allegations of calling a council member a pejorative term and making rude and intimidating gestures.

Jordan said residents have expressed disappointment to her about some activities in the city.

“Over the past few years I’ve heard heartbreaking comments about our city being ‘the laughing stock of the Valley.’ My many years of experience with the city combined with my character will help to bring respect and dignity back to St. Clairsville. I have been a councilwoman for the citizens and have entered into this race to continue that duty. Any St. Clairsville citizens who have questions for me please feel free to reach out.”