Washington Township race highlights township elections

April 30--Two townships will be holding primaries to decide on trustees and town board members on May 6. Republican voters in Madison and Washington townships will choose trustees, as well as members on the township boards.

The headline race in the townships is for Washington Township Trustee between Michelle Guy and Linda Bateman Cornelius. In Madison Township, Mike Burch faces Cheryl Miller.

The contest between Cornelius and Guy is the most widely-contested township race in recent memory. Guy, the incumbent, defeated Cornelius during a special caucus of Republican Precinct Committeemen following the death of Albert "Pete" Showalter in 2013. Guy, the incumbent, is Showalter's daughter and has since run the township office.

Although Showalter had a legacy of supporting residents and the Washington Township Fire Department, it was his 2010 decision to not provide funds to the Washington Carnegie Public Library that has caused Guy a spirited fight in this primary. Residents that lived in Washington Township, but not in the city, had to pay $42 for a library card during the row.

Starting with this year's budget, Guy reversed her father's course and signed a $11,000 contract with the library, even though tax collections have been less than the yearly amount. After taking over in May last year, Guy said she wants to make her own mark on township government.

"I enjoy my work," Guy said. "I believe in my office. I think it's very worthwhile and I think I will do well for the community."

Cornelius, a longtime community volunteer, said the library saga was the main reason she is running for the office. She recalled a story where a young family was trying to check out books and videos and could not because of where they lived.

"I bought my card that day and went over to the trustee's office several times and never could make contact."

Besides the library controversy, this trustee race is also about experience versus a different perspective. Cornelius said she believes in being involved in the community and feels being the trustee is a good place to be that.

"I've always been a person of service," Cornelius said. "I have the time and I have the ability."

Guy said her experience in running a government office with $500,000 in budgets and dealing with the state makes her the more sensible candidate.

"I have the experience and knowledge and I really think I could do a good job," Guy said. "I'm anxious to do things my way more."

Cornelius has charged that Guy and the Showalter family have been in office too long. During the campaign, she created a local radio ad stating an imbalance in salaries versus what is available for poor relief. Also, Cornelius said if elected, she would not hire family members as staff or have family on contracts. Guy's husband Tim is contracted to mow township cemeteries.

In discussing the ad, Guy said in 2014, she cut her budget by $50,000 and eliminated an employee without reducing services for poor relief. Also, most of the salaries for Washington Township are about 23 percent of her budget, she said.

"Most non-profits run about 20 percent," Guy said. "In smaller townships, it is $1 (of salary) for every $5 of assistance."

In terms of mowing, most of the contract is for costs associated with cemetery upkeep. This is the last year her husband plans to mow the cemeteries and is thinking about contracting the service out.

Cornelius feels mowing should be up for competitive bidding. She also would like to see more programs either offered or promoted that would "help people to become independent."

"I just think education is the basis, a springboard for anything you would want to do," Cornelius said.

Although there has been discussion in the state Legislature of eliminating township government, both candidates felt it is necessary to help local residents. They also believe the township fire departments need all the help locally that can be provided.

"I know my clients. I know their families," Guy said.

"I just care about people. I always have," Cornelius said. "Some people just have the heart of a servant and I always do."

Madison Township

Longtime trustee Paul Shafer decided not to run for re-election this year, and two are vying for the seat.

Burch actually helped Shafer last year with some accounting work when his clerk took another job. Among many positions, Burch is currently the executive director of the West Boggs Park Foundation. For many years, Burch served as chief financial officer and later CEO and president of Crane Federal Credit Union.

"I am seeking the office of the Madison Township Trustee for various reasons, one of which is an opportunity to serve my local township where I have spent most of my life," Burch said.

Burch said he has knowledge of working with public funds while in banking and finance. He also has served as the Dean of the School of Business for Oakland City University and currently serves on the board of Parkview Village Christian Care and the Daviess County Community Foundation.

"Paul (Shafer) has served our community well in the capacity of Madison Township Trustee," Burch said. "I hope to sustain his efforts in strengthening the township funds for the future."

Miller is a retired after working 30 years at NSWC Crane. During her time at the base, she worked in finance and knows how to run a budget.

"With my experience and also being retired, I think I would have a lot of time to devote to it," Miller said.

Miller is also active in the Odon area, and believes supporting the fire department is one of the most important duties a trustee has.

"To keep our insurance rates down, we should support our fire department as best as we can," Miller said.

Miller also promises to be accessible to residents if elected.

"I live here in town. I have the experience to do the job," she said.

Township Boards

Usually a rarity in primary elections, Daviess County will have two races to decide members on the township board. In Washington as well as Madison townships, one person will be left out as four are vying for three spots on the township board.

Incumbents John Horton and Nancy Singleton are running along with Andrew Heidenreich and Don Williams in Washington Township. In Madison Township, Jo Kay Belcher, Kay A. Laughlin, Vernon Graber and Paul Shafer are up for election.

Unopposed

The following candidates are unopposed in the local Republican primary: Rosemary Abel, Clerk; Patty Ball, Auditor; Dennis Eaton, Assessor; Dan Murrie, Prosecutor; Dean Sobecki, Superior Court Judge; Greg Smith, Circuit Court Judge; Dave Smith, District 1 County Council; Jack Graber, District 2 County Council; Mike Myers, District 3 County Council; Patrick Dant, District 4 County Council; Robert Showalter</person>, Barr Township Trustee; Josh Dove, Elmore Township Trustee; Sylvia Stafford, Harrison Township Trustee; Joan Harker, Reeve Township Trustee; Karen McBride, Steele Township Trustee; Sue Killion, Veale Township Trustee; Steven Hart, Barr Township Board; Gilbert Andis, Terry Eaton and Mary Woodruff, Bogard Township Board; Carl Stites, Elmore Township Board; Gene Huffines and Christena V. Jones, Harrison Township Board; Debra Baker, William C. Corbin and Joe Hawthorne, Reeve Township Board; John E. Carroll and Bryan Engleman, Steele Township Board; Elmer Lee Graber and Betty Wininger, Van Buren Township Board; Mary Ann Padgett and Judith Robinson, Veale Township Board.

Because it there is no Democrat Central Committee currently in Daviess County, it is unlikely the Democrat ballot will be filled for the general election.

Unopposed candidates on the local Democrat ballot are: Amy Holstine, Bogard Township Trustee; Paul Steiner, Barr Township Board; Gordon Gene Brinegar, Madison Township Board; and Carl Engleman, Steele Township Board.

Voters in northern Daviess County will vote in unopposed primaries for two state races. In Steele Township, voters vote for District 45 State Representative. The general election in District 45 will be a rematch of Democrat Kreg Battles and Republican Bruce Borders in November. Residents in Elmore and Madison Townships vote for District 62 State Representative. Republican Matt Ubelhor will face Democrat Matt Sparks in the general election in that race.

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