The recent approvals of two school levies is an indication the attitude is changing in the All-American Town of Bellaire, Ohio, especially because it had been since 1969 that such financial assistance was approved by voters until a few days ago.
So, that’s good.
Plus, it is also obvious that folks native to Bellaire are protective of Bellaire. If you don’t believe that is a fact, refer to Bellaire as, “Bell-Dirty” and prepare for the reaction. (Hint: Be sure to select an individual who cannot easily push you to ground and step on your head).
It is that defense, though, that should turn into an offense.
Bellaire, Ohio is a village with a rich history involving manufacturing and service industries, but the closure of the Bellaire Toll Bridge and the construction of the Ohio Route 7 bypass have had negative impacts on population, the local economy, single-family residences, and on the village’s finances. It wasn’t too long ago, after all, when the street department couldn’t afford to buy roadway salt for the winter months.
There are, though, several staple businesses that everyone in the Upper Ohio Valley knows about like Gulla’s, Muxie’s, the Holistic Cloud, the Barack Law Firm, Frizzi Customs, the Sakura Asian Restaurant, Flannagan’s, Denny’s Blue Angel, the Roosevelt, and Lil’ Gerardo’s. And those are just the ones that roll off the tongue.
Is today’s Bellaire what it was once? Of course not, and the same can be said about each and every community here in the Valley. The difference, though, is the other cities and communities have folks who are not afraid to promote the evolutions that actually are taking place. The CVBs in St. Clairsville, Wheeling, and Marshall County are not shy, and neither are Martins Ferry Mayor John Davies and Moundsville Councilwoman Sara Wood.
It’s not about pom-poms, and it’s not about spin, but instead it takes innovative social media methods to collectively promote daily menu specials, retail sales, community events, and the issues expected during council meetings accompanied with encouragement to attend.
So, who does that for Bellaire, Ohio?
Someone should start, and with the hashtag #OnlyInBellaire.
