HOPE — Four candidates, including two incumbents, are seeking two at-large seats on the Hope Town Council in the Nov. 6 general election.
The two political newcomers are Louis M. Kujawski Jr., a Republican listed as “Lou K.” on the ballot; and Democrat Chelsea Warriner.
They are challenging two incumbents, Republican Clyde Compton and Democrat Jerry Bragg, for their at-large council seats.
Compton served two terms on the council from 1995 to 2002 before winning a third term in 2014. Bragg was appointed to the board in February 2014 to fill out the unexpired term of Shawn Lange.
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In the 2014 general election, Compton received 43 percent of the votes, while Bragg received 38 percent. That was enough for both candidates to nudge out Democrat Loretta Huff and win the two at-large seats.
In the past few years, the northeast Bartholomew County community of 2,100 residents has been undergoing a facelift. Upgrades have included street paving, an improved water system and newly repainted water tower and benefits through the Indiana Main Street program.
But the council’s approval of water rate increases and mandatory trash pickup, in addition to ordinances about yard clutter and parked vehicles, were among issues that generated interest in the council’s actions.
Kujawski, 56, said he began considering running for office after his cars were wrongly tagged multiple times as abandoned vehicles.
“But it was compulsory trash pickup that pushed me over the edge,” said Kujawski, who said he sees himself as a check and balance against police and council overreach if elected.
Warriner, 30, lists water rate increases as one of her top concerns, as well as maintaining fiscal discipline in town spending.
Census data from 2016 indicates about 10 percent of Hope residents have income below the poverty level.
Compton, 64, said he doesn’t feel the council has overreached or overspent. Rather, he sees council-approved changes as ways to maintain a healthy community, he said.
“I will do whatever is right to make this town a place where people and business want to live and work,” said Compton, who served as council president in 2016 and 2017.
Asked what they felt were some of Hope’s most important needs, Compton and Bragg listed obtaining a full-service grocery store.
Although the Dollar General store and Swiss Maid Country Market provide select grocery items, the 52-year-old Bragg said the town still needs a store that also offers produce and fresh meats.
Bragg said one of his priorities will be seeking a new traffic signal at Hauser Drive/County Road 600N and State Road 9/Main Street. That’s where four Hauser students, including Bragg’s 17-year-old son, were injured in a late August crash.
Any decision regarding a new traffic signal will have to be made by the Indiana Department of Transportation, rather than the town council, but the council may request that the intersection be evaluated for a signal.
For Compton, priorities also include investing in sidewalks, as well as remaining cost-efficient with public money.
Besides fiscal discipline and affordable water rates, Warriner said one of her top priorities is undertaking economic development efforts to increase the number of businesses in Hope, as well as encourage growth.
Kujawski was the only candidate who said he does not support spending tax dollars for economic development to the Hope Town Square.
“Hope is rustic and has charm, so I like it just the way it is,” Kujawski said. “If we commercialize it into looking like a more modern strip mall, I don’t think the citizens will appreciate it.”
The candidates also provided an answer to the following question:
What is your vision for the future of Hope and how will you work to accomplish it?
Bragg: To bring things into our town that are family-oriented, where our children can hang out together. The only way to do this is to seek out competitive grants on an ongoing basis.
Compton: My vision is that 100 years from now, Hope will be a healthy community and not regress as a lot of small towns unfortunately have done.
Kujawski: I’d like Hope to remain a small community where everyone has great respect — not only for the police, but the town council. But I believe both the police and the council have been pushing the envelope lately.
Warriner: My vision for Hope is to grow as a community and maintain its traditional values. I will work to accomplish this vision by working with the other council members and the community of Hope.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Chelsea Warriner” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 30
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Executive director, Community Center of Hope
Education: Bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue University.
Family: Husband, John.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=” Louis M. Kujawski, Jr. (Lou K)” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 56
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Currently unemployed.
Education: John Adams High School in South Bend, 1980. Bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from Ball State University, 1993.
Family: Wife, Lisa; one adult son.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Clyde Compton ” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 64.
Party: Republican
Occupation: Antique shop owner
Education: High school diploma
Family: Wife, Geneva, four sons, three daughters.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Jerry Bragg” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 52
Political affiliation: Democrat
Employment: Employed by Kenny Glass, Columbus.
Education: High school diploma
Family: Wife, Mary; two daughters and two sons
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Meet the four active candidates for three at-large positions on the Clifford Town Council: Republicans Bonnie “BJ” Everroad and Charlie Bob Moore, and Democrats Ed Stone and Danny James.
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