A retired educator and Democrat is making her second attempt to challenge incumbent GOP members of the Bartholomew County Council.
Two years after unsuccessfully seeking an at-large council seat, Democrat Lynne Fleming, 65, is challenging incumbent Republican District 4 council member Jorge Morales.
Morales, a retired Cummins Inc. employee, advanced to the Nov. 6 general election after winning a primary challenge from fellow Republican Tom Owens by 325 more votes.
District 4 residents who will vote in this race live in Harrison Township, Ohio Township, Sandcreek Township, Wayne Township, Jackson Township, southern Columbus and south and southeastern Bartholomew County.
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Four members of the county council represent geographical parts of Bartholomew County, while three serve as at-large members.
In seeking office this year, Fleming said she felt she could do a better job of planning a budget that will lead Bartholomew County into the future.
“If we budget with a long view, we can avoid expensive, unpleasant surprises,” Fleming said.
Morales said he still has contributions to make if elected to a third consecutive term as a county council member. One example he cited was to ensure that increases in Local Income Tax revenue be spent wisely and efficiently, especially in the area of public safety.
Recently, Bartholomew County officials directed nearly $5 million from those revenues to be spent on jail renovations and security measures through 2019.
Those receipts should be invested in a similar manner in subsequent years for as long as those funds are needed for jail-related expenses, Morales said.
In contrast, Fleming said the county needs to formulate a three- to five-year plan to determine the best use for the tax revenues. She recommends that the council confer with all officials at the county and township levels to ensure that needs are addressed before any wants or wishes are considered.
The candidates were asked to share their views on a few other topics:
Would you vote for any other tax increase during the next four years, including implementing a wheel tax to pay for road repairs?
Fleming: No. I don’t anticipate enacting any tax increases, or new taxes, during the next four years. I believe with proper planning and budgeting, tax increases can be avoided.
Morales: I don’t foresee that need of a tax increase. No, I would not vote to implement a wheel tax.
Are you in favor of county government helping fund school resource officers through the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department?
Fleming: I support school resource officers in Bartholomew County schools. I feel the Sheriff’s Department needs to determine how to accomplish the partnership between schools and the county. If the schools need financial assistance, and the sheriff recommends a plan with a school/county match, I would support the plan.
Morales: Yes I do. This is one of the reasons for having a government, Public Safety, to which I am committed to.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Jorge R. (George) Morales” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Political party: Republican
Age: 74
Offices held: Has served on the Bartholomew County Council since 2011.
Previous offices sought: Ran for Bartholomew County commissioner in 2016.
Professional experience: Retired from Cummins Inc., 2000.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Purdue University, 1970.
Community: Pastoral Council at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus; Elks Lodge; Moose Lodge; Indiana Sheriff Association; National Rifle Association; Sandcreek Conservation Club; Mill Race Center board member; Columbus Human Rights Commission; W.R. Laws Foundation Board; Junior Achievement; Jaycees; Columbus Rotary International; Big Brother & Big Sisters Five County Board; Tipton Lakes Association.
Family: Wife, Melinda.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Lynne L. Fleming” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Political party: Democrat
Age: 65.
Offices held: None
Previous offices sought: Bartholomew County Council, 2016.
Professional experience: Retired Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. teacher.
Education: Master’s degree in Education, Indiana University.
Community: Vice president, Bartholomew County Board of Health; secretary, Bartholomew Association of Retired Teachers; parliamentarian, Delta Kappa Gamma; past president, Bartholomew County Democratic Women.
Family: Husband, Dan Fleming. Three adult sons.
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Meet the four candidates running for two at-large positions on the Hope Town council: Incumbent Republican Clyde Compton and incumbent Democrat Jerry Bragg, plus challengers Louis M. Kujawski Jr., a Republican listed as “Lou K.” on the ballot, and Chelsea Warriner, a Democrat.
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