BELLVILLE — Bellville Village Council will have at least one new face in 2026.
There are four seats up for grabs in this year’s November election — with three incumbents and three challengers on the ballot.
They include current council members Debra Carver, Edd Black and Timothy Truex and challengers Amy Frontz, Steve Haring and Benjamin Stewart.
Councilman JJ Burkhart is not seeking another term.
Bellville council members serve as the village’s legislative body and are paid $125 a month, according to village fiscal officer Amanda Perry.
Richland Source asked each candidate the same set of questions. A summary of their answers is provided below.
All six candidates also participated in Candidate Conversations in the Valley. A video of that conversation is available below. (Due to technical difficulties, candidate introductions are not in the video. The candidates from left to right are Edd Black, Steve Haring, Benjamin Stewart, Timothy Truex, Amy Frontz and Debra Carver.
Edd Black
Edd Black, 77, is running to retain his seat on village council. Black was appointed in January to fill a vacancy on council left by Jason Guilliams.
He holds a degree in surveying and construction management from the University of Akron. He is a consultant with The Bellville Land Company.
Black said he’s running to retain the seat because he has an interest and concern for the welfare and health of the community.
If re-elected, he said a top priority would be developing a five year plan for the repair and upgrade of streets and alleys, as well as parks and cemetery roads, and performing yearly inspections of storm sewers to check for obstructions and performance.
A second priority would be developing a five year plan for the replacement of old and poorly performing water and sewer lines and equipment.
Another task Black would like to accomplish if re-elected is exploring alternative approaches to sidewalk maintenance, development and funding the village’s sidewalk network.
Black said his unique experiences set him apart as a village council candidate. Those include being a distinguished combat veteran in the United States Marine Corps.
Black said he developed and implemented the countywide housing numbering system under the direction of the Richland County Commissioners and has performed several projects in and around the village as a professional surveyor.
“Most recently I served as President and General Manager of Superior Asphalt, the largest highway construction contractor in the State of Mississippi, Texas SAI the fifth largest in that State and Florida SAI the tenth largest in that State,” he said.
Debra Carver
Debra Carver, 60, is running to retain her seat on Bellville Village Council.
Carver was appointed in June 2021 to fill a vacancy left on council by Stephen Edwards and was re-elected that November.
“It didn’t take long to notice the integrity of the council member team, so that encouraged me to want to continue to be a part of maintaining Bellville’s character,” she said.
Carver was born and raised in Bellville and is a graduate of Clear Fork High School. She studied human resource management at North Central State College, human resources at Rockhurst University and nursing at the Knox County Career Center. She is a mother of three and grandmother of five.
Carver has worked at Newman Technology for 38 years, holding various titles including management and administrative roles. She is currently a Human Resources staff administration. Her family has lived in Bellville for six generations.
Carver said she is running to continue being a part of a team of people serving the village.
“With my experience in HR, I’m people focused with a deliberate mindset of being approachable,” she said. “I’d like to continue to make an impact in the valley by remaining a team member on council. I really would like the opportunity to finish our current projects.”
One of her priorities if re-elected is to continue to finetune the village’s e-billing system, including getting rid of fees for paying online.
Carver said the system is saving the village money because they don’t need a part-time employee to process billing, but they’ve also chosen to make it optional for residents.
“If you still want a paper bill, you can have it. But we’re still saving so much money having 500 people (using e-billing),” she said.
Another priority of Carver’s is to maintain the village’s police department.
“We need to make sure we replace expired bullet proof vests and tasers while maintaining a fully-staffed department,” sh said. “We are currently seeking grants to assist with cost to replace these items. We are also working on wage increases to help retain the experienced dedicated staff members we currently employ.”
Another top issue for Carver is community growth through new businesses and events.
She said the village could pursue grant funding to install a storybook trail, or pursue parks expansions like a basketball court and pickleball courts. She also suggested more events and more advertising of fishing opportunities at Charles Palm Park.
“My grandkids would be there every day if we’d let them,” she said.
Carver said it’s been an honor to serve the community on council.
“I’m not here for politics,” she said. “I’m here to keep Bellville running safely and smoothly.”
“Infrastructure isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. We fix what needs fixing, plan ahead and respect the taxpayers who fund it. This is my home and I want it to stay safe and steady for my family and yours.”
Amy Frontz
Amy Frontz, 59, hasn’t held an elected office before, but is familiar with public service.
Frontz retired this spring after 36 years working an inspector general in the federal government.
Frontz served as Deputy Inspector General for Audit Services for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Before working for the HHS Inspector General’s Office, she spent 26 years working for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General.
“I want to continue my public service,” she said. “I believe my experience will bring a voice on the council that can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided to the village residents.”
If elected, Frontz said she hopes to ensure smart growth for the village, taking into account public input and maintaining the village’s “small town community feeling.”
“I want to see new businesses come in that provides services to the multi-generational residents of Bellville,” she said. “I would look for the council to find ways to seek the opinions of a large number of residents and then work with council and others to develop a plan to bring into the community.”
Frontz said another priority of hers is fiscal accountability and transparency.
“I want to ensure that we can improve the services already provided to the village residents and as we continue to grow, that we know the total life cycle costs that it will
take to maintain the infrastructure,” she said.
“Whether it is a new housing development or a grant to bring a new park, as a council member I would make sure that the village has the resources to maintain the property and fully disclose what if any costs it could add to the village budget,” she added.
Lastly, Frontz said she would work with other groups to identify activities and events that Bellville residents of all ages would enjoy.
“I know that village residents would like to see if there are more opportunities like the concert in the park sponsored by the Clear Fork Valley Chamber of Commerce,” she said. “If I am part of the council, I will continue to do outreach with them and others to generate ideas and work to bring some into action.”
Frontz said her professional experience is the main thing that distinguishes her as a candidate.
“I bring a wealth of knowledge from my years in the Federal Inspector General community, where we ensured accountability of Federal programs, and that programs were operating efficiently,” she said.
“I can apply this knowledge and understand the importance of transparency and as a public servant the importance for performing the duties with integrity and always keep the best interest of the village residents at the forefront of all decisions.”
“It would be an honor to serve the residents of the Village of Bellville and continue my public service,” she added. “While my job took me away from the village, I always said there is no place like a small-town and want to continue to see the prosperity of the village.”
Steve Haring
Steve Haring, 65, is seeking his first elected office.
Haring holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Judson University. He is the owner and general manager for the Quality Inn & Suites in Bellville. He is also working to develop housing near the State Route 97/Interstate 71 interchange, known as theValley View Farms development.
“I’m running to serve the community and ensure that the Village, and to some extent, the schools, not only survive but thrive going forward into the future — and to do this with out raising taxes but expanding our tax base with additional residence and businesses,” he said.
Haring said one of his top priorities if elected is to promote smart development — including “high level commercial, retail and residential projects” to increase the village tax base without raising taxes.
Another goal is to revive Main Street by attracting new business and facilitating the restoration of some of the older buildings.
Lastly, Haring said he hopes to promote transparency and community involvement in the village’s decision making.
“I am educated and experienced in business and as the Village operates as a business, I am well prepared to offer my insights and knowledge to the process,” he said.
“I am a member of the Clear Fork Valley Chamber of Commerce and I care deeply for this community.”
Haring has served on several boards, including Choice Hotels of Ohio, Ramada Inns of Ohio, The Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association, Destination Mansfield (as a past chairman) and the elder board at Ontario Christian Fellowship.
Haring said he is a lifelong resident of Bellville, with the exception of his college years and “a few additional years in Columbus.”
He and his wife Cindy have been married for 40 years and have four adult children, three of whom spent time in the Clear Fork school system.
Benjamin Stewart
Benjamin Stewart, 29, is seeking his first elected office.
Stewart studied real estate at Hondros College and is an agent with Dream Huge Realty. He is currently a project manager with Rainbow Restoration.
“I’m running for Bellville village council because I have a deep love for the village and have the ability to be a critical thinker and non-biased so that I may do what’s best for my village,” Stewart said.
If elected, Stewart said his priorities would be sidewalk repairs, smart growth and smart allocation of village funds.
“I also would like to see live streaming of council meetings be implemented so it’s easily accessible to the community,” he said.
Stewart said the most obvious thing that sets him apart as a candidate is his age.
“Some may see it as a disadvantage,” he said. “I see it as a strength to see things from a different perspective, bring ideas that may have not been discussed and have more energy to keep up with balancing life and village. I also think my ability to understand and sympathize with people would make me effective in council.”
“I also would like people to know that I am a Christian and I think that is very important as an identity of who I am,” he added. “My wife and I are members of Mosaic Church in Mansfield. I like to be outward about my faith and have people know my beliefs.”
Timothy Truex
Timothy Truex, 55, is running to retain his seat on village council. Truex was appointed to council in 2023 to fill a vacancy left by Josh Epperson.
Truex holds a master’s in business administration from the Ohio State University.
He has worked at Kokosing Construction Company for 33 years and is currently a regional manager with the company’s support operations group.
“Being born in Bellville and a lifelong resident of the Valley, I am running for council to make a positive impact for the Village and its residents,” the Markey Street resident said. “I don’t have an agenda and want to be the voice of the people, working on things that are important to the residents and the community.”
If re-elected, Truex said one of his priorities would to support ongoing efforts to bring more businesses to the village’s historic Main Street.
“This is currently being addressed by the revitalized Community Development Committee, looking at different options and incentives to attract businesses back to downtown,” he said.
Another is ensuring continued fiscal responsibility with village funds. Truex took over as chair of the finance and Human Resources committee following the departure of Jason Guilliams, who left council due to an out-of-state move.
“Jason had done a fantastic job of leading the committee with a fiscally conservative approach, resulting in the Village being in really good shape financially,” Truex said. “I want to see that continue and will do my part to see that happens.
“Another area that I am currently focusing on and will continue if elected is our wonderful Village staff, doing everything I can to make sure they are appreciated, fairly compensated, and challenged to continually develop and improve their skill set to be as successful as possible and proud to be a part of Bellville,” he added.
Truex said he believes he’s a good fit for council because of his leadership skills, professional experience and education, and high integrity.
“I feel my short track record on Village Council and the tough decisions we’ve had to make supports that,” he said.
Truex also emphasized his strong ties to village.
“I was born and raised in Bellville and other than college, have lived in the Valley my entire life. I married my high school sweetheart and we have two wonderful daughters and son-in-laws and six wonderful grandchildren, all part of this community,” he said.
“We love Bellville and I want to do my part in seeing it continue to grow, flourish, and be the community that others aspire to be.”