Revitalizing Shawnee: Mayor Bev Trovato’s Vision to Restore Heritage, Culture, and Community
Shawnee — Mayor Bev Trovato has pictured the village of Shawnee as a safe haven for people exploring Perry County and Southeast Ohio. She’s managed to restore the culture, heritage and liveliness that once flowed through Main Street.
“I envision Shawnee as being a destination,” She said. “A place where people can come to experience our culture, history and nature. Shawnee has so many assets that have not been promoted or celebrated for many years.”
The village of Shawnee sits in between bountiful forest lands and Tecumseh Lake, which boasts a beautiful recreation area for fishing and family outings. It has a historic village center that is filled with rich history.
She said she became mayor in 2019 after being appointed by the village council. In 2021, she decided to run again to fill the unexpired term from the previous mayor and launched her own campaign.
“I wanted to run because Shawnee has so much potential. There are so many wonderful things that can be done here to bring Shawnee back to her glory instead of merely existing.”
Trovato often splits her time between her mayoral duties and that of her primary care practice in New Lexington. Having worked in New Lexington for nearly 30 years, she’s worked with a team of three other providers and has often worked long hours.
Despite splitting her time, she’s been heavily involved with the restoration of several buildings in the village, including the restoration of the Tecumseh Theater which once housed the Linda Theater that showed films in the 1920s.
Shawnee is a village that has had a rich history and is now booming with redevelopment. Founded in 1874 by mine workers, the village boosted a population of over 4,000 that was composed of English, Italian and German settlers.
Much of the village contained small businesses and entertainment venues. As the village evolved, some of those businesses closed while others – like Hannah Brothers department store – are still operating today.
Trovato said she values all of the residents of the village and that they inspire her work as mayor.
“My biggest inspiration is our residents. Nothing inspires me more than when I am approached on the street and they tell me how beautiful their village looks and thank me for what I am doing. They have watched Shawnee deteriorate over the years and to see positive changes means a lot to them.”
“I envision Shawnee as being a destination,” She said. “A place where people can come to experience our culture, history and nature. Shawnee has so many assets that have not been promoted or celebrated for many years.”
The village of Shawnee sits in between bountiful forest lands and Tecumseh Lake, which boasts a beautiful recreation area for fishing and family outings. It has a historic village center that is filled with rich history.
She said she became mayor in 2019 after being appointed by the village council. In 2021, she decided to run again to fill the unexpired term from the previous mayor and launched her own campaign.
“I wanted to run because Shawnee has so much potential. There are so many wonderful things that can be done here to bring Shawnee back to her glory instead of merely existing.”
Trovato often splits her time between her mayoral duties and that of her primary care practice in New Lexington. Having worked in New Lexington for nearly 30 years, she’s worked with a team of three other providers and has often worked long hours.
Despite splitting her time, she’s been heavily involved with the restoration of several buildings in the village, including the restoration of the Tecumseh Theater which once housed the Linda Theater that showed films in the 1920s.
Shawnee is a village that has had a rich history and is now booming with redevelopment. Founded in 1874 by mine workers, the village boosted a population of over 4,000 that was composed of English, Italian and German settlers.
Much of the village contained small businesses and entertainment venues. As the village evolved, some of those businesses closed while others – like Hannah Brothers department store – are still operating today.
Trovato said she values all of the residents of the village and that they inspire her work as mayor.
“My biggest inspiration is our residents. Nothing inspires me more than when I am approached on the street and they tell me how beautiful their village looks and thank me for what I am doing. They have watched Shawnee deteriorate over the years and to see positive changes means a lot to them.”