PRIMARY ELECTIONS are not the most glamorous of events. However, they shouldn’t be ignored. While Tuesday’s primary was not totally shunned, such wasn’t far from the case in Belmont County.

Granted, not much was on the ballot. But an election is still an election.

In Belmont County, more than 10,000 people were registered to vote in the precincts that were open. Only 1,335 cared enough to vote. That is less than 13 percent. Such a miniscule number is disturbing to say the least.

The big ticket item in Tuesday’s local voting was the mayoral contest in Martins Ferry, pitting three veteran Democrats: Rob Duncan, Bob Krajnyak and Phil Wallace.

The Purple City has more than 4,000 registered voters. Less than 600 thought the race was important enough to vote. Picking a new mayor should spark a great deal more interest.

Tuesday’s primary was voter apathy at its worst.

NO TRUTH TO

THIS RUMOR

EVER SINCE St. Clairsville legend Bob Vincenzo announced that he is not running for re-election, speculation has ran rampant on a potential mayoral successor.

The rumor mill quickly focused on Belmont County Commissioner Ginny Favede. I have personally heard that rumor many times, as has Commissioner Favede.

I have no doubts that she would excel in the St. C. mayoral post. It is a moot point, however. I talked to Commissioner Favede Thursday and she definitely said she will not be a candidate and will continue to serve as a commissioner.

Favede and fellow commissioners Matt Coffland and Mark Thomas have Belmont County on the fast track to economic prosperity. It is good the three will remain intact.

Speaking of St. Clairsville, I have dumfounded on why Eric Gay hasn’t been promoted to fill Kevin Barr’s shoes as recreation director. Gay has distinguished himself as Barr’s assistant.

ICE BREAKER

MARTINS FERRY and Bellaire is one of the storied prep rivalries in the state of Ohio. The Purple Riders and Big Reds have met more than 100 times on the gridiron, the fourth longest in Ohio annals.

Sometimes the rivalry has been heated to say the least.

The Martins Ferry High Class of 1965 is taking steps to ensure the two schools bond in friendship. The MFHS Class of 1965 is planning its 50th reunion. The Purple Riders are hoping to bring the Big Reds into the festive loop. Taking it one step further, Bridgeport Bulldogs from the Class of 1965 are also being invited.

Butch Miller is a Purple Rider from that class. The former car dealership owner is spearheading the effort to bring all three school alumni from 50 years ago together for an “Ice Breaker” on Thursday, May 21.

It will be held at Shooter’s, located off of U.S. 250 in Bridgeport from 6 p.m. to ????. The event will include beer, pizza, festive camaraderie and plenty of memories.

RSVP deadline is Friday, May 15 by calling Bob Koteles of Bellaire High at 676-5490 and Bridgeport’s Gordie Longshaw at 740-296-3580. Miller can be reached at 740-391-2805.

The Ice Breaker is being hosted by Dave Lash, Bill Monahan and Miller.

It promises to be a great time for all three schools.

The MFHS Class of 1965 will have dinner at Undo’s in St. Clairsville on Friday, May 22, followed by the Alumni Dinner on Saturday at the White Palace and a diner at the Ferry rec center on Sunday following the high school graduation.

BUBBA’S BITS

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY tight end Eric Frohnapfel has been signed as a free agent by the San Diego Chargers. His twin brother, Blake, is the returning starting QB at UMass. They are the sons of Steve Frohnapfel, a 1979 St. John Central graduate who earned all-Ohio honors as an end for Ty Fleming’s Fighting Irish.

TIM McCRATE has been hired as the new athletic director at Dover High School. McCrate officially assumes the AD reins Aug. 1. He has a two-year contract. He is a Barnesville High and Ohio State graduate, starring as a hurdler both on the prep and collegiate levels. He teaches in the Credit Recovery/Intervention program at Dover High School and has 16 years of coaching experience at Dover.

FORMER WHEELING CENTRAL state champion weightman Aaron Schneid capped his collegiate track career in stellar fashion earlier this month. The West Liberty senior captured the Mountain East hammer throw with his 163-1 effort. He also placed eighth in the discus with a 126-2 toss. Schneid was an all-state gridder for Mike Young’s charges. His parents, Craig and Renee (Gorence) Schneid, are St. John Central grads. Craig also served as Magnolia had track coach for many years, leading the Blue Eagles to countless state title.

IT IS time for Martins Ferry recreation officials to begin preparing the municipal pool for the summer season. As always, money is needed to get the project up and running. The annual soup and sandwich sale is planned for May 18 at the Ferry rec center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu includes bean and ham soup, vegetable soup and chili with and without beans; chicken salad sandwich, ham salad sandwich and sloppy joes. Eat-in, carry out or have your food delivered. Orders are due by May 15 by calling 740-633-0602 by 4 p.m. All proceeds will be used to buy the items needed to open the pool. Any extra money will go to sponsor free swims.

I?USED to be a Tom Brady fan. That changed, however, after the “DeFlate Gate” findings were released. He is obviously a cheater. Brady needs man up to his wrongdoing to bring closure to the travesty.

IN CLOSING, we wish all moms a special Mother’s Day.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com