Republicans planning to vote in the June 2 primary election can choose one of the three Seymour men vying for the District 2 county commissioner seat.
That list includes incumbent Bob Gillaspy, who is wrapping up his first four-year term, and challengers Dave Eggers and Kenny Pfaffenberger.
Eggers said he was largely driven to run based on issues he had with the county’s work release center project.
In late January, the Seymour Board of Zoning Appeals gave its stamp of approval on a request from developer Andy Royalty for a land use variance to allow for the construction of the corrections facility on two lots in the 300 block of Dupont Drive.
The project is estimated to cost around $6 million and is being funded by Jackson County, Jennings County and the Seymour Redevelopment Commission over a 20-year period. The work release center will house up to 150 nonviolent, low-level male and female offenders from Jackson and Jennings counties and will serve as a bridge between jail and home detention.
“My decision to run started with discussions I had concerning the workforce development project and how that was handled and procured,” the 55-year-old Eggers said. “There were so many questions and it seemed like very few answers. I absolutely agree in the need for this in our county and the successes of other similar counties on theirs; however, I think the process involved in the selection of the location is seriously flawed. This was the deciding factor in my decision to run for this political office.”
Pfaffenberger said his decision to run is based upon his hopes of doing more for citizens of the county.
“What led me to decide to run is that I’m a self-employed individual who thinks we can do more for the people of this community than what we currently offer,” the 56-year-old said. “I think there are changes needed with how our system is currently ran and that we need someone who can make the decisions that benefit the community as a whole. Openness to the office, where people’s opinions actually matter.”
Gillaspy, 66, said he originally decided to run after first appearing in front of the county commissioners about 35 years ago.
“This office is the only office that touches all the branches of county government,” he said.
Gillaspy said he chose to pursue a second term because he enjoys the role commissioners play in the county and wants to continue assisting the community.
“Being your county commissioner over the past four years has been a challenging and rewarding experience,” he said. “I have enjoyed working and talking with citizens and solving problems. I have lived in Jackson County my entire life, enjoy the people and want to make a difference in improving our community.”
Absentee ballot by mail has begun, and there will be limited early in-person voting during the week of May 26 to June 1. The location and hours people will be able to vote in-person before the primary have yet to be announced.
Registered voters can apply for an absentee ballot through May 21 by calling the voter registration office at 812-358-6120 or 812-358-6117 or by emailing county Clerk Melissa Hayes at [email protected] or voter registration clerk Andrea Edwards at [email protected].
Applications also can be downloaded and printed at jacksoncounty.in.gov or indianavoters.in.gov.
After an application has been received, the voter will be mailed a primary election ballot. The voter must then complete the ballot and return it to the county election board by noon Election Day, June 2.
In 2019, the salary for a county commissioner was $22,946.67.