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Retired Belmont County Auditor Joseph Pappano noted county finances came full circle since he was first elected county treasurer in 1977.

"We were broke then," he told those attending the 50th annual Belmont County Democrats Jefferson-Jackson Dinner Friday at Undo's West in St. Clairsville. "Now we're broke again."

Pappano retired earlier this year after overseeing county finances during times of lucrative tax revenue resulting from sales at the Ohio Valley Mall and Ohio Valley Plaza. Tax collections and sales have been steady and began to decline in more recent years.

Pappano and wife Rosalie, a former Bellaire city councilwoman, were honored during the dinner.

Proclamations from the U.S. Congress, the Ohio House, the Belmont County commissioners and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland were presented to the couple during the festivities. The federal proclamation, obtained by U.S. Rep. Charles Wilson, D-Ohio, noted the Pappanos selfless devotion to the Democratic Party, and that they "always gave from the heart."

"Their passion for the Democratic Party is surpassed only by their passion for each other," the proclamation states. "Theirs is truly an American Love story."

Pappano termed everyone attending the dinner "a politician."

"I know," he said. "I've led the ticket here for 30 years."

Also slated to be honored was Lee Horsfall, vice chairman of the Belmont County Democratic Party. He informed county party chairman Ed Good just prior to the dinner that he would not be able to attend.

Wilson was slated to serve as emcee for the event, but had to stay in Washington this weekend for a possible vote on health care legislation. But that didn't mean he and colleague U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Ohio, didn't get to address Belmont County Democrats Friday. The pair, along with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, recorded a computer greeting that was shown to the dinner's attendees.

"We're doing good work for the people of the Ohio Valley," Wilson said. "This is something important to all of you."

Good encouraged those present to speak out in support of their elected officials.

"It doesn't cost anything for an activist to write a letter, and let the public know of the good work they do," he said.

Serving as keynote speaker for the dinner was current Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, who is an announced candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010. She spoke of the challenges she faced as Ohio Secretary of State during the 2008 elections.

These included death threats that resulted in her having state police guard her in the latter weeks of the election.