In the late 1970s, a young councilman decided to make a run for mayor of South Point with the expectations that he would serve for a term or two.

Twenty five years, later Mayor Bill Gaskin prepares to start his seventh term. Gaskin was sworn in Tuesday by Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Frank McCown.

"I had no idea it would last this long. I thought I would just fill out a term or two," Gaskin said. "It just kind of gets into you, is I kept doing what we were doing.

"Evidently, people are satisfied because the keep putting us in."

Gaskin is proud of all his accomplishments and also excited about the future of the village.

Though he said the list is too numerous to name, highlights of his career include the annexation of The Point industrial park, always keeping the village finances in the black, making sewer and water upgrades but keeping the rates affordable, providing good infrastructure and the street numbering and naming system that has assisted the emergency services.

"We have just gotten so much accomplished. I like to help people," he said. "I just do what I can to help the community. It is very satisfying personally."

Bob Armstrong has called the village home since 1967 and has served on council for nearly 28 years. He has seen first-hand what Gaskin has meant to the community.

"He has been a dedicated man. He was there the whole time that he worked his regular job," Armstrong said. "… Bill has always put the people first."

Looking ahead, Gaskin said he is "real excited about The Point" and what it can mean to the future of South Point.