ELKINS — The legacy of Joe Martin will be celebrated today in Elkins and throughout the state.

Gov. Jim Justice has ordered all U.S. and West Virginia flags at the Capitol Complex in Charleston, and at state-owned facilities in Randolph and Pocahontas counties, to be displayed at half-staff from midnight until sunset today, in commemoration of the distinguished life and service of former state Delegate Joe Martin.

At 1 p.m. today, at Elkins City Hall, officials will dedicate a new flagpole to mark Martin’s legacy in the Elkins area.

The community is invited to join Martin’s family from 2-4 p.m. today in the newly renovated Tygart Hotel for hors d’oeuvres, memory sharing and music from Martin’s favorite, the Blues Brothers.

Anyone who would like to share photos and memories online may visit https://bit.ly/joemartinmemories.

Martin’s public service as a leader in state and local government spanned decades. He was Elkins’ youngest city council member and mayor, and West Virginia’s first Homeland Security advisor.

While serving as Elkins mayor from 1977 to 1989, he also represented residents of Randolph and Pocahontas counties in the West Virginia House of Delegates. First appointed to the House in 1978, he was elected again every two years through 1998.

During his tenure in the House, Martin was instrumental in securing the majority of funds the Randolph County Development Authority needed to purchase 20-plus acres of the former CSX railyard for redevelopment. In gratitude, Martin Street was named in his honor.

Martin is also credited with securing funding to purchase land for Elkins’ Riverbend Park and re-energizing the Corridor H project. 

When Martin decided not to seek re-election to the House, he was appointed Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety – now the Department of Homeland Security. In 2003, he accepted the position of legislative director under then-Gov. Bob Wise. 

In 2005, then-Gov. Joe Manchin appointed Martin deputy chief of staff. He later worked as legislative director of West Virginia Policy and Legislative Affairs.

Martin died Feb. 22 at his home in Charleston. Today would have been his 76th birthday.