Knox County Democratic Party

Candidates for Village Positions

Candidates for Village Positions in Knox County

In order to provide information on candidates running for election throughout Knox County, Knox County Democratic Party chairwoman Kathy Tate mailed a questionnaire, via the U.S. Postal Service, to the candidates’ mailing addresses on file with the Knox County Board of Elections. In cases where an email address or a phone number was available, further attempts to get the information were made. Below is the information received from candidates for Village positions in Knox County.

If you are a candidate who has not yet responded but would like to have your information posted, please email Kathy at kathytate@knoxcountydems.org

Brinkhaven Village

Position running for: Brinkhaven Village Mayor (Write-in)

Name of Candidate:  Christopher Wyant

No response received as of September 28, 2023

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Position running for: Brinkhaven Village Council (Write-in)

Name of Candidate:  Bobbi Banbury

No response received as of September 28, 2023

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Position running for: Brinkhaven Village Council (Write-in)

Name of Candidate: Christopher Hurlow

No response received as of September 28, 2023

Centerburg Village

Position running for: Centerburg Village Mayor

Name of Candidate: Gregory Sands

Education: High School, Some College

Background/Qualifications: Banker 19 yrs, Business Owner 25, Currently Retired

Why are you running/what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected? Current Mayor and prefer to help direct growth and manage change.

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Position running for:  Centerburg Village Council

Name of Candidate: Daniel Hardwick

No response received as of September 28, 2023

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Position running for:  Centerburg Village Council

Name of Candidate: Dave Beck

No response received as of September 28, 2023

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Position running for:  Centerburg Village Council

Name of Candidate: Tom Stewart

No response received as of September 28, 2023

Danville Village

Position running for: Danville Village Mayor

Name of Candidate: Joseph Mazzari

No response received as of September 28, 2023

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Position running for: Danville Village Council

Name of Candidate: Debra Ridgeway

No response received as of September 28, 2023

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Position running for: Danville Village Council

Name of Candidate: Darin Durbin

No response received as of September 28, 2023

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Position running for: Danville Village Clerk/Treasurer

Name of Candidate: Laurene Vess

No response received as of September 28, 2023

Fredericktown Village

Position running for: Mayor of Fredericktown

Name of CandidateJerry Day

Education: Graduated from Circleville High School, Circleville, West Virginia in 1972. Attended Ohio Police Officer Training Academy 

Background/Qualifications: 35 years with Village of Fredericktown Police Department, last 30 years as Chief of Police.  Completed 2 terms as Mayor of Fredericktown

Why are you running/what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected? Wanted to continue to serve the Fredericktown Community

Gambier Village

Position running for: Gambier Village Mayor

Name of Candidate Leeman Kessler

Education: BA Kenyon College, MA-Ed APSU

Background/Qualifications: Served on Gambier Village Council

Why are you running/what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected: My goal is to take my experience from the past few years and continue the work of improving village infrastructure and operations while nurturing the relationships with our local and regional partners. 

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Position running for:   Village of Gambier Council

Name of CandidateAlison Furlong

Education: Kenyon College (B.A., 1990) ; Ohio State University (Ph.D. 2015)

Background/Qualifications: I was appointed to Council during the early months of pandemic lockdown, and am now running to be elected to that same seat. Since joining Council, I’ve served on the Streets & Utilities, Finance, and Library/Programming committees and am currently chair of Public Safety & Personnel. 

Why are you running/what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected? During my term, my colleagues and I have passed a new zoning ordinance that we hope will help alleviate the housing shortage in the Village. We’ve increased the walkability of the Village by adding sidewalks. Currently, we are in the process of working with ODOT to create a roundabout at the intersection of Routes 308 and 229 to improve safety for drivers, and a mixed-use path down the hill that will make that stretch of road safer for pedestrians. The Streets & Utilities committee is looking into ways to improve visibility and safety at Ackland and Wiggin Streets, and we plan to apply for funding to fill gaps in the sidewalks on Duff Street. I am running so that I can see those projects through to completion.

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Position running for:   Village of Gambier Council   (Write-in)

Name of CandidateMorgan Giles

No response received as of September 28, 2023

Martinsburg Village

Position running for:  Martinsburg Village Council

Name of Candidate: Nola Veatch

No response received as of September 28, 2023