Wheeling Mayor honors Lief, Rotriga for community work

At today's State of the City Address at the Wheeling Park White Palace, Mayor Dennis Magruder honored Easterseals Rehabilitation Center Board of Directors members Rabbi Josua Lief and Dave Rotriga. Rotriga was one of the mayor's annual honorees, while Lief received the prestigious 2026 Community Spirit Award.

The Community Spirit Award honors those who have gone above and beyond to make Wheeling a better place to live.

Lief leads his childhood congregation at Temple Shalom, heads the Wheeling Human Rights Commission and spearheads both the city's 9/11 service and the Interfaith Thanksgiving service. He has volunteered on the Easterseals board since 2021. 

"He's played an active role in community revitalization efforts, supporting the arts, business development, our parks, and public education. He understands that a thriving city depends on creativity, opportunity and shared public spaces where people from all backgrounds can connect," Mayor Magruder said. He added Lief holds a strong belief "that dignity is non-negotiable."

Lief is the 14th Community Spirit Award recipient, joining an impressive club that includes Miracle League founder Lorraine McCardle, historian Margaret Brennan, Bishop Darrell Cummings and longtime Wheeling Park Commission head, Randy Worls. 

Rotriga is the owner with his wife, Laura, of Miklas Meat Market. He was honored for his often behind-the-scenes support of various local causes, including the Miracle League of the Ohio Valley and Easterseals. He also feeds first responders every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day because "he believes those who save our community should always feel appreciated," the Mayor said. His small corner store in the Woodsdale neighborhood is a community treasure. 

"His generosity, compassion, and dedication embody the very best of what a local business owner can be," he said.

Rotriga began volunteering on the Easterseals Board of Directors in September 2025. His granddaughter, Julia, has been an Easterseals client for five years. She was born with numerous medical challenges and receives physical, occupational, and speech therapy at the center every week. In 2025, she represented Easterseals at the Kalkreuth Vendor Invitational Dinner as part of the Kalkreuth Amateur Golf Championship that benefits Easterseals.