A heartfelt tribute to a beloved city clerk and a pressing environmental crisis dominated the Martins Ferry City Council meeting on November 6, 2024. Council members expressed their condolences and discussed potential recognition for the late Jim She, who served the city for many years. Her contributions to the community were acknowledged as significant, with calls for a formal tribute to honor her legacy.

In a stark contrast to the somber remembrance, the meeting also highlighted urgent concerns regarding the cleanup of the Austin Masters facility. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has initiated a $6 million cleanup plan, set to be completed by May 2025. However, questions loom over who will ultimately bear the financial burden of this cleanup—taxpayers or the company responsible for the contamination.

Ryan Capiti, representing the Marchetti Helps organization, announced a free turkey dinner for veterans, inviting the community to join in honoring those who served. This event aims to foster community spirit and support for local veterans.

The discussion then shifted back to the Austin Masters situation, where ongoing legal issues surrounding the facility's CEO, Brad Dimitrovich, were raised. Despite attempts to hold him accountable, he remains free, having paid a bond to avoid jail time. The council is now faced with the challenge of ensuring that the cleanup is thorough and that the facility poses no future risk to workers or residents.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency for community involvement in environmental safety was emphasized. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to engage with the city soon, and council members were encouraged to participate actively in discussions about the facility's future. The potential for a city-led environmental assessment was also proposed as a backup plan to ensure the safety of the site.

The meeting underscored the dual themes of remembrance and responsibility, as Martins Ferry navigates the complexities of honoring its past while addressing pressing environmental challenges.