Hinebaugh: ‘People Want to Know My To-Do List’

Most folks skipped the cordials and got down to business.

“’Whatcha goin’ to do?’ That’s what I’ve heard over and over.”

At least that’s what Beth Hinebaugh has been asked over and over while knocking on doors in Clator and Pleasanton neighborhoods of Wheeling the past two weeks. She’s one of six candidates now campaigning to become the city’s next mayor, and she’s planning to visit several more neighborhoods before Election Day on May 14^th.

“After I introduced myself and I tell them I’m running for mayor, they immediately ask me about my plan; my agenda,” the candidate said. “Most of the people I’ve met seem to pay attention to what’s going on in Wheeling, and they want to know what I’d do about a lot of the issues.

“But one person asked me about my top 3 priorities,” explained Hinebaugh, a resident of the Steenrod area. “After that conversation, I thought about that list; that top 3. What would number one be, and then two and three? That’s when I decided to write it down.”

First, Hinebaugh’s if-elected To-Do List.

1. Foster economic growth.
2. Continue the conversation on homelessness in Wheeling.
3. Transparency and accountability.   

“But when I looked at that list, I realized it’s what every candidate tells people,” she said. “So, I kept going. I spelled it out for myself so I could explain better when I’m visiting people.

“I remind people the mayor of Wheeling has one vote just like the other six council members have, but I tell them it’s about leadership,” said Hinebaugh, whose campaign website is bethforwheeling.com. “I believe that’s what our City needs the most right now, and that’s why I decided to run.”

She’s a property owner, an entrepreneur, a wife, a mother, and the ringleader of a Brady Bunch-style family between her side and her husband Ed’s folks, too. And she wants her tribe to be able to stay home, too, and that’s why she explains her goals this way:

Economic Growth & Job Creation

1. Encourage entrepreneurship: Support and promote the development of small businesses and startups by providing resources such as access to capital, business mentoring programs, and networking opportunities.
2. Develop a skilled workforce: Invest in education and training programs that align with the needs of local industries. Collaborate with local high schools, colleges, and training centers to ensure that workers have the necessary skills to meet the demands of the job market. This should also help attract new businesses and encourage existing ones to expand, leading to job creation.
3. Support local businesses: Identify and support key industries that have the potential for growth in Wheeling. This could involve providing financial incentives to attract new businesses. Also, work with existing businesses to help them expand and innovate, creating more job opportunities.
4. Improve infrastructure: Continue investing in infrastructure throughout the city. These improvements can make Wheeling more attractive to businesses looking to relocate or expand.
5. Foster a business-friendly environment: Streamline regulations and remove unnecessary barriers to business growth. Create a streamlined process for obtaining permits and licenses, and provide support for businesses navigating the regulatory landscape.
6. Promote tourism and cultural events: Highlight the unique attractions and cultural events in Wheeling to attract visitors and boost the local economy. Encourage the development of tourism infrastructure, such as hotels and restaurants. 

“By implementing these strategies,” she said, “Wheeling can foster economic growth and job creation, and I believe that would lead to a community that would thrive much more than what we see today.” 

Homelessness

“Listen, I know this is a complex issue with no easy answers,” Hinebaugh said matter-factly. “From what I have seen, any action is going to require a multifaceted approach.” 

1. Work closely with community organizations, service providers and stakeholders to address the root causes.
2. Work with mental health services and substance abuse programs.
3. Advocate for job training and employment programs. 
4. Work with legislators to tighten up the requirements of treatment facilities releasing clients onto the streets. 

“We cannot sacrifice our City’s citizens, its identity, and our commerce,” she insisted. “So, we need to handle this with common sense and we need to figure out how to help to stop this cycle.” 

Transparency and Accountability

“People in elected positions are supposed to be transparent and accountable. That’s why transparency and accountability are the fundamental principles of good governance, and I am committed to ensuring that our city operates with the highest level of integrity.”

1. I would work to establish a user-friendly online portal where citizens can easily access and review our city’s financial records, including budgets, expenditures, and contracts. This platform would provide transparency and ti help the citizens to hold their government accountable.
2. Prioritize open decision-making processes. This would involve seeking public input on major financial decisions and involving citizens in budget planning and prioritization. By including the voices of our citizens, we can ensure that financial decisions are aligned with the needs and aspirations of our community.
3. I would hold regular town hall meetings to provide updates on financial matters and answer questions from the public. These meetings would serve as a platform for dialogue and transparency, allowing citizens to directly engage with their government and voice their concerns.

“By implementing these strategies, we can establish a culture of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in our city,” Hinebaugh said. “I believe when our citizens have access to information and are included in decision-making processes, we can build trust and work together to create a better future for our community.”

There’s more – much more – Hinebaugh says she hopes to discuss with the residents of Wheeling during her door-knock walks around town, and that’s because serving the city is far more complex than the top-talked about issues around town.

“Public safety is one of those topics, and there’s a lot of layers there because of the crime, the need for more police officers, and the dilapidation in most areas of the city,” said the former law enforcement officer. “And our infrastructure is another one of those topics we need to talk about because, if we had water pipes from the late 1800s in downtown, what do we have in other parts of the city? I think it’s time we take a hard look at that, too.

“I just feel it’s time to include the people of Wheeling in the conversation because that’s not been the case recently,” Hinebaugh added. “It’s time for us to work together.”