During a heartfelt inauguration speech Tuesday evening, Don Mason fought through tears as he told the overflowing crowd “on January first, I will officially be mayor again.”

Mason first served as Mayor of Zanesville in 1983 at the age of 26. After being sworn in by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judi French, Mason will officially take office once more in 2020.

“He is a beacon for the City of Zanesville, all around the state,” said French after explaining that her favorite thing about visiting Ohio’s 88 counties is watching people light up when they talk about their town.

French added that Mason not only lights up about his hometown, but also about his family.

“I’m just very emotional about this opportunity. It’s something I worked hard on. I started knocking on doors in the middle of the summer, and I remember one lady saying, ‘why don’t you come in, it’s 98-degrees and let me give you water,'” said Mason. “You know, it’s one of those things where you do that and all of a sudden here it is winter time and you’re elected. It’s a long process.”

While addressing his supporters who filled one room of the Stone Academy and spilled into another, Mason began by assuring the citizens of Zanesville that he plans to stick to the goals of his campaign — revitalizing neighborhoods, bringing more recreational opportunities to the youth and cleaning up some of the City’s most notable abandoned properties.

“We can bring our community back with vigor and gusto, but it’s going to take all of us working together, and I’m just excited to be a part of that,” said Mason.

In particular, Mason noted the recent movement in the Putnam Historic District to bring the area back to life.

“I’m so proud of the people here in Putnam for how much energy and organization and determination you have to reclaim your neighborhood, that’s why I wanted to be here. You’re important,” said Mason. “I want to help reopen Muskingum Avenue because I think if we’re ever going to have a vibrant south end, West Main, Pine Street and then Putnam area, we’ve got to complete that thoroughfare, make it a loop with the Downtown.”

Mason sees potential within the City to empower its rising leaders to make positive changes where they live.

“I think our community is incredibly blessed with a lot of talent, a lot of people who want to get involved,” said Mason. “So one of the things I’m going to try to do as mayor is really be a good coach, pull a lot of people in and put people in the starting lineup, whether that’s volunteer boards (or) commissions.”

In addition to revitalizing the Putnam area, Mason also wants to see Downtown Zanesville become a vibrant part of town. Plans include bringing events back to Downtown, like ribfest, and further utilizing the green space available.

“I want more park activity at Zane’s Landing,” said Mason of the park his administration made possible in the 80s.

Mason said he has begun consulting with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Ohio EPA to find a solution to cleaning the messes left behind by the former Lear Corporation and Mosaic Tile.

“Those are going to be a top priority,” said Mason.

Additionally, Mason said he is going to call on local business leaders to help fund youth recreation activities, including athletics and arts.

“I feel blessed that so many of you voted for me, put yard signs up for me supported me financially, it makes you really feel like, OK, we’re all on the same team,” said Mason. “Democrats, Republicans, you know, Independents — this isn’t about any one segment of Zanesville, this is about all of us working together.”

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