The only race on the ballot for the Nov. 7 municipal election in Brownstown features two political newcomers.
That race for clerk-treasurer was put in place when the present clerk-treasurer, David Willey, a Democrat, made the decision not to seek a fourth four-year term.
The candidates are 66-year-old Democrat Terry Jackson and 52-year-old Sonya Nale.
The five Republican candidates for the Brownstown Town Council seats are running unopposed. They are incumbents Gregory Goshorn (Ward 1), Crystal Stuckwisch (Ward 3) and Tim Robinson (Ward 5) and newcomers Anne P. Carlin (Ward 2) and Brian Reynolds (Ward 4).
Early voting begins at 9:30 a.m. today at the Jackson County Courthouse, 111 S. Main St., Brownstown, and Jackson County Public Library, 303 W. Second St., Seymour. The sites close at 4:30 p.m., but both will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday next week and from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 4.
Democrat Terry Jackson
Tell us a little about yourself and why you chose to run for office.
I am a Brownstown Central and Indiana University graduate. I have experience working in business, education and social services. I chose to run for Brownstown clerk-treasurer to give the voters another candidate for the office. I work for Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana as a client services coordinator. I have been there for fours years. I was a teacher at Bedford and throughout Indiana before that time. I graduated from Brownstown Central High School in 1975.
What are your priorities if elected?
To provide effective leadership for the town council and citizens. I will strive to manage the town resources responsibly.
What do you see as the biggest needs in Brownstown?
To provide new employment opportunities and economical housing.
What is your view of the role of town government?
To provide a safe community and economic opportunities for its residents.
Why should a resident of Brownstown vote for you?
I would like the residents of Brownstown to vote for me to help make our town a great place to live and work.
Republican Sonya Nale
Tell us a little about yourself and why you chose to run for office.
I have helped family and friends with political campaigns in the past, and this is my second time running for office. The Brownstown clerk-treasurer race was very close four years ago when I was beat by the incumbent by only three votes. I am a 1990 graduate of Seymour High School. I started working in a fast-paced office setting right out of high school. I worked there for 21 years. I am now in my eighth year at Margaret R. Brown Elementary School as a Title I instructional assistant. I have decided to run again this time because Brownstown is my home, and I want to personally be more involved in our community and the many improvements coming to Brownstown. We have a great community, and I can’t wait to help it become even better.
What are your priorities if elected?
My priorities as Brownstown clerk-treasurer will be to provide clear reporting to the town board and the Brownstown Police Department as they rely on this data to prepare their budgets and maintain our town. I will keep the records for their budgets and help them plan with clear and complete data. Our town needs this information to run efficiently and effectively. As clerk-treasurer, I will attend and prepare the information for the town board meetings twice monthly and support the board members’ requests. There are also many daily requirements that I will be completing.
What do you see as the biggest needs in Brownstown?
In my eyes, the biggest need for Brownstown is to keep maintaining our beautiful town. I have been attending the town council meetings and have learned of many amazing things they are doing, from improving our wastewater treatment plant to new ideas for our parks.
What is your view of the role of town government?
Town government has the major role of maintaining and preparing budgets, planning town improvements, listening to our citizens’ ideas as well as executing all the things our town needs to run and be a great place to live and work. There are many duties of town governments.
Why should a resident of Brownstown vote for you?
I am asking the residents of Brownstown to vote for me because I am excited and qualified to fulfill the duties of the clerk-treasurer position. I also will help maintain and grow the opportunities for our wonderful town. I’m very excited for the future of Brownstown, Indiana.