Click on the blue hyperlink to access the Press Release 10/30/2024.

1. What experiences and skills qualify you to be a good commissioner?

What differentiates me in this race is my genuine connection with the community. I’m an activist and housewife who understands the everyday challenges faced by families. I have a B.S. in Biological Sciences. I participated in competitions that included environmental remediation and I worked under two research labs while in college. I started the Rethink Industrial Solar group when the need arose and, subsequently, I created a website, researched, and put together presentations for the community. I change my hat to fit the task that is at-hand. My practical experience in problem-solving and resource management, coupled with my unwavering commitment to ethical governance, sets me apart. I am not just a candidate; I am one of you, dedicated to making St. Joseph County a better place for all.

2. What are your top two priorities as Commissioner if elected? Why these?

My motivation to run stems from a desire to make the government more accessible and transparent. It is no secret that I am the one who initiated the Rethink Industrial Solar group. In my quest to help my neighbors, I researched how our local government is run and I found that this was not an easy task. After information was not forthcoming at a local level, I had to talk with the Public Access Councilor to direct me to resources. Also, there seems to be a lack of transparency with decision making and very few hard questions are asked by our representatives. I fully intend to do my best to ask questions, investigate the issues which are brought up on the agenda, and look into matters brought to my attention.

3. After the EV battery plant was announced last year, more companies showed interest in commercial development near New Carlisle. How should the county weigh potential job growth versus some residents’ concerns for preserving their small town and its rural character? What specific actions do you propose to promote and retain good jobs there and elsewhere in St. Joseph County?

When we start making the creation of jobs the government’s business, we start to favor one industry over another using our tax dollars. I think the wise thing to do here would be to look at history and what can happen when the government single-mindedly seeks industrial growth. In the history of the United States, we have seen the decimation of land, animals, and the unhindered use of natural resources for profit. We are seeing the exploitation of our resources in real-time, but it can be hard to see how a good idea can lead to poor outcomes when the consequence is not immediate. One possible solution might be is to evaluate the inventory of our local resources and our needs which are required to maintain a free society. Develop plans that encourage business growth, placing a priority on local ownership, and preserving undeveloped land.

4. Do you support a new low-barrier homeless intake center in St. Joseph County? If not, why not? If so, what role, if any, should the county play in funding the new center and where should it be?

Yes, we should be funding a center, but there is a chance this particular project doesn’t work well for our community. In light of different sides of the issue, maybe one option could be to have a trial run of the project. We would need to establish clear expectations and measurable goals and outcomes for the project. We can study the specific local impact on neighbors and businesses, define any boundaries that could terminate the project and create a contingency plan for those living at the shelter if the project should need to be terminated. This is a proposed solution and I imagine that together we can brainstorm many more! Bottom line, if we don’t have a place for the homeless to go, we end up criminalizing people for being homeless or not owning property. Where can those without property exist legally, if we don't offer up a space?

5. Do you support the current model of electing county commissioners from geographic districts or should commissioners be elected countywide as they are in 89 of 92 counties? If you advocate keeping districts, who should draw the district boundaries?

Actually, our county government is different from 89 other counties in other ways and not just by voting from geographic districts. For example, our County Council has legislative powers and, in most Indiana counties, this authority is delegated to the Commissioners. Nevertheless, it is important to keep geographic districts to balance the representation of the community. It allows people in a similar region to maintain their voice in which their voice might be otherwise drowned out by a heavily populated city. At the same time, gerrymandering is a real concern. I would have to investigate further and interview others to formulate a possible plan to protect the interests of our county.

6. How well did the county do in evaluating and handling the closure of Portage Manor as the county home for people with disabilities and mental illness? Is there anything you would do differently today?

This issue is complex and has many different perspectives. I believe that as a society we should help those with disabilities and mental illness, because I believe in the sanctity of life and our inherent value. At the same time, we should also be fiscally responsible. Although I don’t have all the facts, I would have thoroughly examined the situation, as I am known for, and I would have explored all the options for keeping Portage Manor operational. If that wasn’t possible, I would have prioritized minimizing the impact on residents and their families during any transition, with a focus on keeping them together.

7. How committed are you to conducting the public’s business transparently so residents can offer meaningful feedback before decisions are made? How will you solicit resident feedback, and do you commit to follow guidance from Indiana’s Public Access Counselor on open meetings and public records?

Any business that I conduct on someone else's behalf should be open to those I am serving. I am committed to transparency and finding ways to integrate feedback from others. One possible opportunity might be to hold town halls for people to come and talk in a more informal setting. In addition, I believe that public comments for constituents should never be hindered, as this is a right enshrined in our state constitution. I also think that the Public Access Counselor plays an important role in providing outside accountability and any insight offered would be a welcome benefit for our community.