Russell W. Casto, III
A 1973 graduate of Nitro High School, Rusty spent the next few years attending Ohio Valley College in
Parkersburg, West Virginia. He then worked for more than 25 years in the family business, Casto Hardware, a
Nitro landmark for over 53 years before closing in 2001. The hardware store was opened by Rusty's grandfather
in 1947.
Rusty was elected mayor in 1996 after serving on the city council from 1980 thru 1992. Before and during those
years, he spent time working with the youth of the city, coaching Little League baseball and Youth League
basketball, along with serving as a volunteer for all the Nitro schools. Rusty has done it all ... from announcing
wrestling matches, baseball games, football games, basketball games, being score keeper & clock operator, along
with doing anything & everything else that needed done.
Looking back on his first term as mayor, Rusty's main concern was the maintenance and cleanliness of the city.
The city workers tore down about 30 old buildings that were a blight on the town. Where the city could find the
owners, they were asked to tear down their own dilapidated buildings. When the owners couldn't be contacted,
the city would tear them down and then bill the owner for the work completed. If that wasn't possible to bill the
owners, the city would tear them down and then put a lien on the property. The old taxi stand on 2nd Avenue was
also torn down & the property was then sold to recoup the cost to the city.
A Kid's Playground was built next to the swimming pool at a cost of over $100,000. This was paid for through
private donations and fundraisers, at no cost to the city. It is now a beautiful asset to the city with a nice pavilion
and picnic tables for parties and outdoor meetings. It is totally handicap accessible and can be used by kids of all
ages.
At the city park, a BMX track was built and in use for several years before it was replaced by a full-sized soccer
field which is also used for football and band practice. This has quickly proven to be an asset to the city as
football, soccer and band are very popular in this area.
A 1973 graduate of Nitro High School, Rusty spent the next few years attending Ohio Valley College in
Parkersburg, West Virginia. He then worked for more than 25 years in the family business, Casto Hardware, a
Nitro landmark for over 53 years before closing in 2001. The hardware store was opened by Rusty's grandfather
in 1947.
Rusty was elected mayor in 1996 after serving on the city council from 1980 thru 1992. Before and during those
years, he spent time working with the youth of the city, coaching Little League baseball and Youth League
basketball, along with serving as a volunteer for all the Nitro schools. Rusty has done it all ... from announcing
wrestling matches, baseball games, football games, basketball games, being score keeper & clock operator, along
with doing anything & everything else that needed done.
Looking back on his first term as mayor, Rusty's main concern was the maintenance and cleanliness of the city.
The city workers tore down about 30 old buildings that were a blight on the town. Where the city could find the
owners, they were asked to tear down their own dilapidated buildings. When the owners couldn't be contacted,
the city would tear them down and then bill the owner for the work completed. If that wasn't possible to bill the
owners, the city would tear them down and then put a lien on the property. The old taxi stand on 2nd Avenue was
also torn down & the property was then sold to recoup the cost to the city.
A Kid's Playground was built next to the swimming pool at a cost of over $100,000. This was paid for through
private donations and fundraisers, at no cost to the city. It is now a beautiful asset to the city with a nice pavilion
and picnic tables for parties and outdoor meetings. It is totally handicap accessible and can be used by kids of all
ages.
At the city park, a BMX track was built and in use for several years before it was replaced by a full-sized soccer
field which is also used for football and band practice. This has quickly proven to be an asset to the city as
football, soccer and band are very popular in this area.
| Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto volunteers his time to man the phones in the St. Jude Radiothon Call-In Center |
| Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto volunteers at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics |
| Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto at a City Council meeting |