July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Council incumbent faces GOP primary opposition (04/27/06)
A one-term incumbent member of the Jay County Council is facing a primary challenge from a rural Portland resident who is the long-time director of the Hartford City Public Library.
George Meehan, who is in the final year of his first term on the council representing District 4 (Jefferson, Pike, Madison and Noble townships and Wayne 1, 2, 3 and 7 precincts), will face Vicki J. Cecil in the Republican primary May 2.
Democrat Andy Schemenaur, a school administrator and former council member, is unopposed in the primary.
Cecil, who lives at 3692 East 400 South, Portland, along with her husband James, has been director of the Hartford City Library for 14 years.
A 1970 graduate of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, she also holds bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Indianapolis. This is her first run for public office.
Meehan, 7624 East Ind. 67, Portland, is retired. He served two terms as Jay County Sheriff in addition to his term on the council. He is a graduate of Portland High School and also served eight years in the Indiana National Guard. He has a son, daughter and four granddaughters.
Meehan is a member of the American Legion, Portland Moose and Portland Eagles.
Cecil is a member of the chamber of commerce, Arts Council, Indiana Reading Council, Indiana Library Foundation and Public Library Association.
The candidates recently answered questions submitted to them by The Commercial Review. Their responses follow.
Why are you running for county council? What makes you qualified for the position?
Meehan — I have been associated with county government for many years, both as an elected official and department head. This has increased my ability to oversee the budget process and to be able to make critical decisions concerning wants and needs of departments and tax dollars available.
Cecil — I’m running for county council to be steward for the rural community. Seems people in rural areas are forgotten in matters that directly involve that population. Have lived in rural community and realize problems that affect citizens there.
What do you believe to be the most pressing issue before the council now? What is your position on that issue?
Meehan — I think the oversight of the infrastructure fund is an important issue at this time. The infrastructure fund consists of host fee dollars paid to the county for use of the landfill. Presently the commissioners request the use of these dollars on a project-by-project basis. The request for appropriation is then acted on by the council. I think it would be a good idea to have a written plan for the use of this fund. This plan would have to be agreed to by both the commissioners and the council and would give some guidance on how this money would be spent now and in the future. It has been an asset to be able to use these dollars in the place of tax dollars for many projects. However, the life of the present landfill is limited and these dollars will be gone in the future. A good plan would help to use this fund in the best way possible.
Cecil — Keeping budget fair for all concerned in all areas of the community.
Briefly describe what you see as the role of the county council.
Meehan — My primary role as a member of the county council is to oversee the taxpayers’ money in the most efficient way possible. As a council member I must be able to juggle the available tax dollars with the ever-increasing cost of providing necessary services to Jay County citizens. This means being able to make decisions that are at times not very popular. A council member has to be able to work with employees, department heads, community leaders — especially the county commissioners — and taxpayers.
Cecil — No response.
If there is one thing you want to make sure the voters know about you or the office you are seeking, what would that be?
Meehan — I believe that my past roles in county government help me to make critical financial decisions by being able to look at the matter at hand from different angles — including seeing the situation from the eyes of a department head who needs the money and from the eyes of those charged with distributing the available dollars and even from the eyes of the taxpayer.
Cecil — That I am very fair minded and know how to handle public issues well and work very well with the public.[[In-content Ad]]
George Meehan, who is in the final year of his first term on the council representing District 4 (Jefferson, Pike, Madison and Noble townships and Wayne 1, 2, 3 and 7 precincts), will face Vicki J. Cecil in the Republican primary May 2.
Democrat Andy Schemenaur, a school administrator and former council member, is unopposed in the primary.
Cecil, who lives at 3692 East 400 South, Portland, along with her husband James, has been director of the Hartford City Library for 14 years.
A 1970 graduate of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, she also holds bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Indianapolis. This is her first run for public office.
Meehan, 7624 East Ind. 67, Portland, is retired. He served two terms as Jay County Sheriff in addition to his term on the council. He is a graduate of Portland High School and also served eight years in the Indiana National Guard. He has a son, daughter and four granddaughters.
Meehan is a member of the American Legion, Portland Moose and Portland Eagles.
Cecil is a member of the chamber of commerce, Arts Council, Indiana Reading Council, Indiana Library Foundation and Public Library Association.
The candidates recently answered questions submitted to them by The Commercial Review. Their responses follow.
Why are you running for county council? What makes you qualified for the position?
Meehan — I have been associated with county government for many years, both as an elected official and department head. This has increased my ability to oversee the budget process and to be able to make critical decisions concerning wants and needs of departments and tax dollars available.
Cecil — I’m running for county council to be steward for the rural community. Seems people in rural areas are forgotten in matters that directly involve that population. Have lived in rural community and realize problems that affect citizens there.
What do you believe to be the most pressing issue before the council now? What is your position on that issue?
Meehan — I think the oversight of the infrastructure fund is an important issue at this time. The infrastructure fund consists of host fee dollars paid to the county for use of the landfill. Presently the commissioners request the use of these dollars on a project-by-project basis. The request for appropriation is then acted on by the council. I think it would be a good idea to have a written plan for the use of this fund. This plan would have to be agreed to by both the commissioners and the council and would give some guidance on how this money would be spent now and in the future. It has been an asset to be able to use these dollars in the place of tax dollars for many projects. However, the life of the present landfill is limited and these dollars will be gone in the future. A good plan would help to use this fund in the best way possible.
Cecil — Keeping budget fair for all concerned in all areas of the community.
Briefly describe what you see as the role of the county council.
Meehan — My primary role as a member of the county council is to oversee the taxpayers’ money in the most efficient way possible. As a council member I must be able to juggle the available tax dollars with the ever-increasing cost of providing necessary services to Jay County citizens. This means being able to make decisions that are at times not very popular. A council member has to be able to work with employees, department heads, community leaders — especially the county commissioners — and taxpayers.
Cecil — No response.
If there is one thing you want to make sure the voters know about you or the office you are seeking, what would that be?
Meehan — I believe that my past roles in county government help me to make critical financial decisions by being able to look at the matter at hand from different angles — including seeing the situation from the eyes of a department head who needs the money and from the eyes of those charged with distributing the available dollars and even from the eyes of the taxpayer.
Cecil — That I am very fair minded and know how to handle public issues well and work very well with the public.[[In-content Ad]]
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