Two vie for North Kingsville Mayor seat

Brian Haytcher, Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio
·2 min read

Sep. 30—NORTH KINGSVILLE — Voters in the village will get to choose between two candidates for mayor on the November ballot.

Incumbent Mayor Mindy Bisbee is not seeking re-election. Tara Hawkins and Terrance J. McConnell are both running to fill the vacant seat.

McConnell served in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years and served two tours in Europe and one in Asia. He then worked for the Buckeye School District for 10 years, and was a manager in retail for 17 years. He previously served as mayor for nine years and councilman for 7.

"I feel that ... of my extensive work experiences in supervision, management, customer service and prior knowledge serving as a councilman and mayor qualifies me for this position," he said.

Hawkins is a realtor and lifelong county resident who moved to North Kingsville last year. Before becoming a realtor, she worked in various departments with the county government, and served on the Ashtabula city Planning Commission. She is involved with the Kingsville PTA, Lift Bridge Community Association and the Ashtabula County Board of Realtors, as well as the Cub Scouts and Kingsville T-Ball.

"I am running for North Kingsville Mayor because the community deserves fresh, new leadership to build upon our progress and continue making our area a safe, strong presence for all families to grow and thrive," she said.

McConnell said, if elected, he will work closely with council and fully commit himself to fulfilling the duties of mayor.

"I am running for the position of Mayor because as a resident of the village of North Kingsville for 64 years minus my military time I want to keep the village financially efficient, a safe community and a great place for raising a family," he said.

Hawkins said, if elected, she will seek to revisit Bisbee's plan to place a sewer system in the commercial areas around the intersection of routes 20 and 193, and explore the option of adding a bed tax to short-term rental properties in the village.

"As Mayor, I plan to prioritize open and timely communication with all service departments. I aim to increase transparency between our elected leaders, including the Mayor's office, and our community members," she said.