ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather and give thanks to each other.

Several Belmont County mayors are expressing what they are thankful for this year.

St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman said she is thankful for the residents and city officials who are able to make St. Clairsville a great place to live and work.

“I am very thankful for my wonderful staff and the wonderful people that God has brought to me to help move this city forward,” Thalman said. “I’m grateful for our wonderful residents who pitch in and help and volunteer. I can’t do it by myself — that’s for sure — and they’ve all been wonderful.”

She added that she is also thankful for the students at St. Clairsville Richland City School District who are always kind and welcoming to her whenever she is at any of the schools.

She then thanked Unified Bank for funding and for making the future Unified Bank Junior Sports Complex become a reality, as well as all of the other sponsors that help various activities and events throughout the year that are hosted by the city of St. Clairsville.

“The sponsors help make this city,” She said.

She also thanked the St. Clairsville City Council, noting she is incredibly thankful that she is able to work with a group of like-minded individuals who also want to see St. Clairsville moving in the right direction.

On a personal level, Thalman said that she is thankful for her dog Sammy that she brings to work every day.

Bellaire Mayor Ed Marling started by joking that at the age of 80, he’s just thankful to be alive.

“At my age, I don’t know what’s up next,” Marling said.

On a serious note, he proceeded to say that he believes the village of Bellaire is on the upswing.

“We’re on the upswing of getting a lot of projects taken care of, but we just have to take it day by day with what we’ve got,” He said.

He added that he is thankful that the village has a new administrator with the recent hiring of Jay Binger. Binger was hired after the former Village Administrator Frank Shaffer resigned in August.

Marling said he is optimistic about the hiring of Binger and believes that the village will be full steam ahead once he officially starts on Dec. 9.

Bridgeport Mayor Norma Teasdale said that what she’s most thankful for is her family, friends, and the community of Bridgeport. She added that she is also thankful for the staff she is able to work with to continue to make the village a strong community.

Shadyside Mayor Robert Newhart said he is thankful for his health and the many blessings bestowed upon him.

“I’m thankful for the residents, my employees, the school system, and life in general,” Newhart said.

He then wished the residents of the community a happy Thanksgiving and hopes they have a happy holiday season.

Barnesville Mayor Jacob Hershberger said that as mayor he’s most thankful for the community of Barnesville as a whole.

“If something bad happens in the area, everybody really joins together and supports the community,” Hershberger said.

He added that he believes what helps the community’s spirit is the fact that Barnesville School District has such a strong sports program.

“The Pumpkin Festival is another key aspect that just makes this a super strong community. If we had those pieces missing the community would be different,” he said.

In his personal life, he said that he is thankful for his friends and family and being able to be blessed to live in Barnesville.