New sidewalks, establishing a town hall and hiring a town marshal are among priorities listed by candidates seeking for a seat on the Clifford Town Council.
Five candidates, including two incumbents, are on the ballot for three at-large seats during the Nov. 6 general election.
The Republican candidates are Bonnie “BJ” Everroad and Charlie Bob Moore. Two Democrats, Ed Stone and Danny James, are seeking to retain their seats on the council.
A third Democrat, Carroll Thompson, will appear on the ballot, but said he now wishes he had not filed for office and declined to comment about any issues or provide a photo.
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The third council incumbent, Republican Mark Floyd, chose not to seek re-election.
Everroad said she was motivated to run for a council seat to bring new ideas for the town and to connect with residents to bring out their vision and ideas.
“Currently, the town board meetings have very few residents in attendance and I would like to see that change,” Everroad said.
Stone said he wanted to run again to help the town and fire department obtain equipment grants and to improve infrastructure.
“We keep the people satisfied and do whatever needs to be done,” Stone said.
James, who has been on the board for 12 years, said he is running for re-election to change how things are being down for the town.
Moore did not return phone calls seeking information about his candidacy.
Candidates in the council race who did respond weighed in on the three most important issues they feel need to be addressed in Clifford and why.
Everroad said town marshal services, maintaining fire protection and making sure the town’s financial information is reported to the Indiana State Board of Accounts on time and in the correct format are three important issues that need to be addressed.
“We need to be compliant with the state by reporting timely and in the correct manner,” Everroad said.
She also said the town’s financial information hasn’t been available publicly, saying that she believes it needs to be shared at every town board meeting.
Everroad said that a relationship with the Clifford Volunteer Fire Department needs to be maintained after a contract was signed with the department earlier this month.
A town hall, sidewalks and a town marshal are three important issues that need to be addressed in the town, Stone said.
“The town has no storage or meeting room,” Stone said.
Sidewalks will keep pedestrians off the main street and a town marshal would help cover emergency situations that occur in the town, Stone said.
Hiring a marshal to replace Charlie Deweese, who left the position earlier this year by mutual consent, and having new sidewalks were listed by James as important issues.
Filling the town marshal position will be difficult since the job doesn’t pay much and is only a part time, James said. Obtaining grants for a town hall is something he would like to see addressed, he said.
“I’d like to have a place where we can have town meetings,” James said.
The candidates, aside from Thompson and Moore who declined to participate, also offered their perspectives on other topics.
Q: What is the financial viability of a town of 235 providing law enforcement and fire protection services for Clifford when town board members and the town marshal have been working without pay for three years because of budget limits?
Everroad: “I appreciate those who have worked for little to no pay in order to ensure the residents of Clifford are protected. However, without a clear picture of the town’s current financial obligations, it is difficult to speak on the viability. Finances have not been shared during the monthly board meetings.”
Stone: “The current town board members and former clerk-treasurers have never accepted any pay since becoming members. The town marshal voluntarily did not accept his pay for several years also.”
James: “We are providing fire protection. They have been doing a fantastic job. A marshal is possible, but it will be a part-time position. We can’t budget for a full-time police department.”
Q: What is your vision for the future of Clifford and how will you work to accomplish this vision?
Everroad: “I want to provide the residents of Clifford the opportunity to have a voice on decisions for our town. I will communicate scheduled board meetings, finances, encourage discussion of new ideas, questions, concerns and criticism, then provide follow-up. Operate as a team of many, rather than a board of three.”
Stone: “A new town hall and storage building, new sidewalks and more park features. I enjoy helping people in the community because in a rural area, that’s what it’s all about — helping your neighbors and here, everybody’s your neighbor.”
James: “I’m wanting new sidewalks put in. We’ll do a little bit at a time. I got the equipment to do it. If we stay on the board, we’ll do it.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Bonnie Everroad” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 39
Current office held: None
Previous office held: None
Education: Master of Business Administration degree in business management with undergraduate degrees in applied management and information systems
Community: Certified basic life support instructor with the American Heart Association for the past 11 years; teaches CPR and first aid to community members as well as students at IUPUC.
Family: Married with two young adults, ages 15 and 20
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Ed Stone” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 75
Current office held: Clifford Town Council
Previous offices held: Clifford Town Council, since 2007
Education: Hauser High School graduate, 1961
Community: Member of Hope Lodge 150
Family: Two children, three grandchildren
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Danny James” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 58
Current office held: Clifford Town Council
Previous offices held: None
Education: Brown County High School graduate
Community: Serving on town council
Family: Married for 38 years with three children
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Carroll Thompson” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 75
Current office held: None
Previous offices held: None
Education: Columbus High School graduate
Community: Member of Wilson Chapel Church in Elizabethtown
Family: Married with four children
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Details of campaign-finance reports for the Indiana U.S. House 6th District plus three positions in the state legislature: Indiana Senate District 41, Indiana House District 59 and Indiana House District 69
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