1. Why are you seeking elected office and what are your strengths and weaknesses as they apply to the skills needed to serve in this office?
District 1
Gary Huett (R): I am seeking office because I believe my values, experience and analytical skills can benefit the county. Also because God seems to have purpose in it for me beyond what I may initially be aware of. I believe I offer solid values, willingness to listen, seeking understanding, building consensus, critical thinking, conceptual analysis, leadership, management skills and high respect for the value of the individual. I’m flexible, always learning and eager to grow. My weaknesses are I lean towards more of the overall conceptual picture rather than dealing with all the details. So I will have to focus on keeping details organized for ready reference both digitally and on paper.
District 2
Darren Byrd (R): N/A.
District 3
Joel Kirby (R): I was asked to run for this office because I am not a political activist and I simply seek the truth. I have lived in Brown County for 10 years and during that time I have been an archery instructor for 4-H. I thought serving on the county council would be another opportunity to serve my community. My previous experience includes U.S. Army 1969-71, president and owner of W.C. Kirby &Son, Inc. Tool and Die, liaison between government and industry at the request of Noblesville Mayor Mary Sue Roland and member of the Noblesville Parks and Recreation Board for several terms at the request of Mayor John Ditslear, serving as president multiple times. I look forward to working with the Brown County Council and contributing my thoughts.
Gregory A. May (D): I am seeking elected office to give the voters of Brown County a choice on the ballot. My strengths are that I have worked alongside elected officials for many years to help services needed to some of the most vulnerable citizens in neighboring counties. I have worked with county councils, county commissioners, local police departments, local sheriffs, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and mayors. My weakness is that I have not previously held an elected office.
District 4
Kyle Clark (R): N/A.
Jim Kemp (R): Having worked with the public for over 40 years, managing small businesses, while being a fiduciary providing financial planning services gives me a broader perspective that may serve Brown County well. The challenge for me if elected will be to ask the right questions and make the right decisions that are in alignment with what’s important to those who call Brown County home.
Marcia Grooms Taylor (D): I am an organized natural problem solver. In my professional roles at several communications companies, I have earned recognition from my peers and supervisors for my level-headed approach to resolving client issues and internal objectives with leadership, project management skills and common sense.
Scott Waddell (R): N/A.
2. What are the top three challenges facing our county and how would you address them?
District 1
Huett: 1. Developing a long-term plan for the county. We need to define where we’re going and how we plan on getting there. I plan to dig into how things work in the county, where the momentum is, and how it needs to be directed to make sure the county is a viable place for us to live 10, 20, 30 years from now. 2. Increasing our tax base. If we do not find ways to increase our tax base, the higher burden for maintaining the county will have to be born more heavily by each of us. 3. Developing infrastructure. Developing a healthy infrastructure of roads and utilities allows families and businesses to be drawn to our county.
District 2
Byrd: N/A.
District 3
Kirby: The top challenges facing our county include drugs, employment and aging infrastructure. To face the drug problems, we need to support programs for addressing drug interdiction. To face the employment problems, we need to support educational efforts, such as the Career Connected Learning initiative at Brown County Schools. To face the infrastructure problems, we need to seek financial assistance to update our aging infrastructure in Brown County.
May: The top three challenges facing our county are lack of transparency in public meetings, inability to provide comments during the commissioner’s meetings and the reckless spending habits of the current local administration. County government in Indiana should operate under a system of checks and balances while providing voters with the power to directly choose their local elected officials. I would begin by facilitating conversations about these challenges and seek input from the community about what they would like to see change. I would seek answers for spending that seems reckless. I would work to make sure that public meetings are public with an opportunity for public comment. Elected officials work for the public.
District 4
Clark: N/A.
Kemp: Based on my biased perception, 1. Our lack of a shared vision for the future. 2. Our near-term, quick fix, reactive approach mindset. 3. Apathy to simply be a catalyst for positive change in our approach to creating a sustainable future for all of those who call Brown County home.
Taylor: Our primary challenge is the funds management and budget allocation of the money collected from taxes, achieved from grants and other areas of revenue. I believe there are projects that need significant improvement (roads and infrastructure) and areas where cutbacks should be made. Let’s fix the problems we have before thinning our limited resources.
Waddell: N/A.
3. What changes, if any, would you advocate to help Brown County improve living wages, affordable housing, transportation, infrastructure and a vibrant economy?
District 1
Huett: See above.
District 2
Byrd: N/A.
District 3
Kirby: As a new member of the Brown County Council, I will need to familiarize myself with the council’s role of responsibility for each of these issues before advocating for any changes.
May: All people deserve living wages, affordable housing and access to transportation. If we want people to live in Brown County we need to make Brown County a place that pays all residents a living wage and provides ample opportunities for safe affordable housing.
District 4
Clark: N/A.
Kemp: I am not running for the position of county council member District 4 to try to fix the county because the county isn’t currently broken. Do we face some of the same challenges as other small counties in Indiana? Of course we do. Small counties in Indiana all share some of the same challenges of an aging and declining population, aging infrastructure, declining school enrollment, lack of affordable housing, limited economic opportunity and the ability of attracting a skilled work force. There are no quick fixes in life.
Taylor: I support affordable housing and the small businesses in Brown County in order for people to live, work and provide for their families here. Our teachers, law enforcement and small businesses need a supportive and sustainable environment for their employees. If people can’t afford to live here, they will leave.
Waddell: N/A.
4. What are current underfunded needs you would like to see supported in our community?
District 1
Huett: Developing infrastructure, road maintenance and repair.
District 2
Byrd: N/A.
District 3
Kirby: I am not aware of any specific underfunded needs, nor am I aware of any over funded programs. When there are limited funds available, somebody always feels they are holding the short end of the stick. Which end of the stick are you holding?
May: N/A.
District 4
Clark: N/A.
Kemp: Interesting question. I currently don’t have the perspective or knowledge to begin to answer this question honestly. A quick off the top-of-mind answer is the State of Indiana isn’t giving us enough money to maintain our county roads. Especially considering the state’s exploitation of our county by creating the tourism cash cow of reoccurring tax revenue.
Taylor: Roads and social services. People can barely get a mile down a road without dodging a pothole, getting stuck on a washed out road or getting up a hill in the snow. I think this is contributing to a “trapped” mentality. It was uplifting to witness neighbors helping each other in the recent storms. Let’s band together to find new ways to fix our problems. I am encouraged by the recent grants explored by the corrections community to help with habitual incarcerations and addiction. Let’s look at other areas of funding to improve our community.
Waddell: N/A.
5. Rank strongly disagree to strongly agree: Brown County Council should improve transparency of county finances concerning tax revenue and expenditure. What action, if any, should be taken on the issue?
District 1
Huett: Agree. There is a healthy balance between trusting officials who have been elected to represent the people and keeping the populace informed.
District 2
Byrd: N/A.
District 3
Kirby: Neither agree nor disagree. I strongly agree that every community should provide full transparency of all finances, including tax revenues and expenses.
May: Strongly agree.
District 4
Clark: N/A.
Kemp: Strongly agree. If elected, I promise you, the community members, that I will do everything within my power to educate myself and you on the cost of Brown County government.
Taylor: Strongly agree. We need more transparency and input from the public. We need to hear from more voices at meetings and forums. Our elected leaders shouldn’t be using technology to hide from voters. Agendas should be posted before meetings, the public should have the right to appear at and comment on issues as they are discussed. People shouldn’t have to send an email that may or may not be read in a YouTube video.
Waddell: N/A.
6. Rank strongly disagree to strongly agree: Brown County should take action to address climate change. What action, if any, should be taken on this issue.
District 1
Huett: Neither agree nor disagree.
District 2
Byrd: N/A.
District 3
Kirby: Neither agree nor disagree. I strongly agree that our climate changes four times a year and fall is the most popular here in Brown County.
May: Agree.
District 4
Clark: N/A.
Kemp: Neither agree nor disagree. If your definition of climate change is focused on the environmental impact of air quality, land managementand clean waterways then I am all in protecting our natural environment.
Taylor: Strongly agree. We have more natural forests (public and private) than any other area in Indiana. We need to take pride in our resources and encourage visitors and others to do the same by leading by example. We are the envy of many who travel here for an escape to nature, we should be supporting and teaching conservation and sustainability.
