Three at-large seats on the three-member Medora Town Council are open in the Nov. 7 general election.
Republican Rhonda Freeman is the incumbent in the race.
The other candidates are Democrat Robert Kent Thompson, independent Ryan Cowles, Republican Jerry Ault and Republican Brad McCammon.
Registered voters can cast their ballots at Medora Christian Church, 76 S. George St., Medora, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters also can cast their ballots early from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays this week and from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Jackson County Public Library, 303 W. Second St., Seymour, and Jackson County Courthouse, 111 S. Main St., Brownstown.
The Tribune sent questions to the at-large candidates. Thompson and Cowles did not respond with answers.
Why did you decide to run for the Medora Town Council?
McCammon: To stay involved in the community and help lead the town in economic growth. I plant to work with the board and community to make Medora attractive to new business and housing.
Ault: I am running for town council to bring change to Medora.
Freeman: I have been on the town council for the past four years and have heard a lot of positive feedback on things we have accomplished. I want to continue to grow and improve our town so it’s a place that people would want to live.
What do you think you can bring to the town council?
McCammon: I will bring experience and leadership to the board. I have been on the board previously and worked to get a new water tower and worked closely with law enforcement and medical personnel.
Ault: I have knowledge of different types of grants that would benefit the town of Medora. I also want Medora to succeed and grow.
Freeman: Experience and determination. I want to get some things accomplished that the town needs to have done, like reporting lights that are out, property cleanups and the hiring of a town marshal.
What’s the most pressing issue facing the town at this time, and how do you plan to address it?
McCammon: I plan to work to get a water filtration system. Also work toward cleaning up vacant properties and helping to strengthen the police department. I plan to do this by obtaining state and federal grants.
Ault: There are a few issues facing the town at this time. The most pressing issue at this moment is we need a town marshal. Without a marshal, we can’t have reserve officers. The town also has sewer issues and drainage issues. There are grants that can assist small towns like Medora to help fix these issues.
Freeman: Law enforcement. We need to hire a new town marshal as soon as possible that will work nights and weekends. We have reserves who will be willing to work also, which is a plus.
What should the town do to position itself for growth and development?
McCammon: Promote Medora to attract new business and encourage residents to patronize local businesses to keep them in Medora. Make every effort to attract a gas station. Work with the school system and community events, such as Medora Goes Pink, to draw people to visit Medora and possibly settle here.
Ault: Our K-12 Medora school is the key to Medora’s survival. We need affordable housing for families with children to keep our school open. We also need businesses to come and help our town thrive.
Freeman: We need to continue to attract business to Medora and patronize them all. Also continue to apply for grants to help with upkeep of the town.
What are you most proud of about Medora?
McCammon: The people of Medora are the most outstanding part of living in Medora. The citizens of Medora support their school with great pride, and they are willing to help their neighbor and they strongly support local business and organizations. I am proud to have raised my family in Medora and worked and retired in Medora.
Ault: Medora is a friendly community with a lot to offer. We have two historic sites that have received visitors from all over the world: The Medora Covered Bridge and the Medora Brick Plant.
Freeman: That we have a school and are attracting businesses. I have lived here my whole life, and I am happy to see our town still thriving.