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WHEELING -- Local businesswoman Beth Hinebaugh has officially announced her candidacy to become the next mayor of Wheeling.
She and her husband, Ed, own and operate several businesses and properties in the city, including Noah's Ark Child Care and Learning Center on Wheeling Island, Fulton Fun Factory -- a bounce house and party venue for children, Hinebaugh Athletics -- with a multipurpose gymnasium and personal training center in Center Wheeling, and Hinebaugh Properties -- with real estate lease and rental properties throughout the city and the Ohio Valley.
"My husband owned property in Wheeling since he was 17 years old," she said, noting that the real estate side of the family business got an early start, and subsequently, she began the day care center in 2010.
While she served as a law enforcement officer for a number of years, she earned her degree in early childhood education. And her new venture into public service keeps a strong focus on family and paving the way for opportunities for future generations in Wheeling.
"Obviously, we need to focus on economic growth in the area," she said. "That's one of the biggest things. Our population has declined so much. If you look at our history, we used to have over 60,000 people in the city of Wheeling, and now we're down to 26,000 or somewhere in that range. We need to find a way to rebuild.
"I have eight children and 13 grandchildren. I want them to be able to thrive here. I don't want to see them leave. What can we do to keep the next generations here? Honestly, we need to bring in jobs that they want to stay here for."
Hinebaugh said the city government needs to focus not only on making sure Wheeling is the Friendly City, but also a more "business-friendly" city.
"In owning businesses in Wheeling, I've noticed the challenges that people have with opening businesses and with maintaining and keeping the businesses running," she said. "So I feel like, having my background as being an entrepreneur and being a business owner in the community, I can feel what they're going through, and hopefully I can help them navigate some more. Honestly, the small business owners are our backbone."
While juggling multiple businesses is one labor of love, being a mother and grandmother is another - and it has given her a unique perspective and skill set.
"With having eight children, I saw the need for childcare in the area," Hinebaugh said. "I understand the importance of creating a safe, vibrant and prosperous environment for our families to thrive. I have personally experienced the joys and challenges of raising a family in Wheeling, and I'm committed to ensuring that future generations have even greater opportunities."
Hinebaugh said she has been considering the possibility of running for public office in Wheeling in recent years. She's been attending council meetings and has been involved in a number of community events.
"I've been exploring the idea for a couple of years," she said. "My husband and I have actually talked about it a lot over the last few years. What can we do to help? What can we do to make changes?
She said she had considered a run for a ward council seat, but her heart kept coming back to the position as mayor. That yearning to serve the city she loves was pushed to a true calling upon the advice of her sister, Traci, who had struggled with health issues and experienced complications with surgery last year. She fought for nine months before she died on Dec. 21.
"During the last week of her life, one of the things she said to me was - do it. Run for mayor. Try to make a difference," said Hinebaugh, who helped care for her sister through that challenging time. "That was one of her last wishes. So I'm doing it."
Hinebaugh said she is ready and able to take on the challenge of leading Wheeling into its next chapter. If elected, she would become only the second woman to serve as mayor in the city's history.
"I have the heart and the passion for this, and I'm very good at multitasking - obviously with so many businesses and children," she said. "I've learned how to navigate the great art of multitasking."
She vowed to prioritize infrastructure maintenance and improvements, supporting local businesses, enhancing educational opportunities and addressing concerns of all residents.
"There's been growth in the city, and we need to continue this rebuilding," she said, noting that Wheeling needs to continue rebuilding its reputation as a regional destination for entertainment, as well. "We need to focus on the city as a whole - on our wards and neighborhoods - in addition to the downtown.
"I'm here for the people - I want to listen to them," Hinebaugh said. "I want to hear what they have to say. I want to be transparent to the citizens in the city. They need to know what's going on, and we need to let them know what's happening."
Hinebaugh entered a mayoral race that just last week became fairly crowded -- with six candidates seeking the post. Others in the race include former Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority Executive Director Denny Magruder, Wheeling Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum and Vice Mayor Chad Thalman, who announced their campaigns last year; along with Wheeling residents J.T. Thomas and Carl Carpenter, who like Hinebaugh, filed for candidacy just last week.
Wheeling's municipal election takes place on May 14 in conjunction with the West Virginia Primary election.
"I can't achieve these goals alone," Hinebaugh said. "I humbly ask for your support, your ideas and your vote. Together, let's make Wheeling an even better place to live, work and raise our families."