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Belmont County commission hopeful Dave Shafer outlines infrastructure-focused campaign to Martins Ferry council
Summary
Dave Shafer, a former Department of Transportation employee, told Martins Ferry council he is running for a Belmont County commission vacancy and emphasized roads, broadband and water/sewer expansion as priorities; he asked for support ahead of a May 6 vote.
Dave Shafer introduced himself to the Martins Ferry City Council on April 15 as a candidate for the Belmont County Commission vacancy, saying his 30-plus years with the state Department of Transportation give him an infrastructure background he would bring to the county seat.
Shafer described work at Tri-State Asphalt, R.F. Cole and more than three decades at the Department of Transportation, saying he had built relationships across townships and municipalities. He framed infrastructure broadly — not only roads and bridges but also water, sewer and internet expansion tied to job creation. “If you get infrastructure improved down here on the river, you’re blessed with the river itself, rail, and highway system,” Shafer said.
He told council he filed the necessary petition in January and asked for residents’ and local officials’ support for the May 6 vote. Council members asked Shafer about local priorities in Yorkville and Powhatan, senior services, and coordination with county contacts; Shafer said he had visited local facilities and would work cooperatively across jurisdictions.
Shafer’s appearance was allowed by a change in the order of business approved at the start of the meeting; no action by the council on the candidacy was requested at the April 15 session.
