July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Five battle for three spots on Redkey council (11/03/07)
Redkey Town Council
By By ROBERT BANSER-
Five candidates are vying for three openings on the Redkey Town Council in Tuesday's election.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Redkey Town Hall, 20 S. Ash St.
Three Democrats will be facing two independents in the race for the town council seats, while incumbent clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby, a Democrat, is running unopposed to retain that position.
The council candidates include incumbent Dortha "Dottie" Quakenbush and two other Democrats Phil Philebaum and Terri D. (Barnes) Taylor as well as independents "Watermellon" Jim Phillips and Wayne E. Stevens.
Profiles of each of the candidates in contested races for council follow:
Dottie M. Quakenbush
Dortha "Dottie" M. Quakenbush lives at 321 E. High St. She has served on the town council for the last four years.
She has six children, 12 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
She works as manager of the Westwind Apartments in Redkey.
On the town council she currently has responsibility for the fire department. She formerly supervised the parks department and serves as a member of the Redkey Park Cabin board.
When asked why she was running for re-election, Quakenbush said, "We started the water tower project. I've seen a lot of positive things starting to happen. I'd like to be on the council when the water tower project is completed."
Born in the Lebanon area in Boone County, Quakenbush said her father was a railroad employee and the family moved to various cities in Illinois including Chicago as well as Indiana and Arizona, before she finally settled in Redkey.
She graduated from high school in Indianapolis.
She has been a resident of Redkey for 45 years, living in her current house for the past 38 years.
"I just hope people realize that I've really worked for the good of the town. I would like to see a lot more changes - a lot of improvements. I'll continue to work hard for that," she said.
Phil Philebaum
A Democrat, Phil Philebaum lives at 355 S. Meridian St.
He said, "I have lived in Redkey for 65 years, am a graduate of Redkey High School, and I have three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
"I attend Redkey Town Board meetings regularly. I am acting president of Redkey Fun for Kidz and I am a member of the Redkey Economic Development Corporation."
Philebaum added, "I would like to see a maintenance program for all town equipment, including water meters, which in turn, would keep the board better informed on old equipment and avoid unnecessary spending.
"I would also like to see the board united to help our town to grow."
Terri Taylor
A Democrat and resident of 214 W. High St., Terri (Barnes) Taylor said, "I have been a resident of Redkey for over 50 years and am married to Doug Taylor. I have three children, three stepchildren and 17 grandchildren.
"I attended Redkey High School, and completed my education at Jay County High School.
"I am a regular attendee of Redkey Town Council meetings, and am the recording secretary of Redkey Fun for Kidz," Taylor said.
"I have many reasons for wanting to help govern our town. I would like to see more communication between department heads, their departments and the town board as a whole. I also desire for our town to be a place where new businesses would feel confident enough to come here and stay here. This seems like a long road to take, but I know that together we can make the trip.
"Finances will always be an issue on a small town budget, however, with the right board it can be conquered.
"Last but not least, you have a voice. Attend the meetings. I would love for everyone to take a positive interest in our town," she said.
Jim Phillips
"Watermellon" Jim Phillips lives at 605 W. Main St. He is running as an independent.
Phillips, 62, said he has lived in Redkey all his life with the exception of when he served in the U.S. Navy with the Seabees.
He previously served one term on the Redkey Town Council in the 1980s.
He and his wife, Mavis, have four children.
Phillips is retired after working 32 years for Delco-Remy Battery. In the summertime he sells fresh produce which is where he picked up his nickname. Phillips said he sells watermelons, sweet corn and tomatoes in season.
Phillips belongs to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.
He is also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and Scottish Rite.
Phillips also noted that it took him about 20 years to miss being a member of the town council, noting that he served in the 1980s.
Wayne Stevens
A resident of 434 W. Main St., Wayne E. Stevens is running for the town council as an independent.
He has been married for 44 years and has three children and four grandchildren.
He went to Muncie Central High School and vocational school where he studied mechanical drawing. He has also taken college courses in human resources, middle management and business law.
He served in the U.S. Army for four years.[[In-content Ad]]
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Redkey Town Hall, 20 S. Ash St.
Three Democrats will be facing two independents in the race for the town council seats, while incumbent clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby, a Democrat, is running unopposed to retain that position.
The council candidates include incumbent Dortha "Dottie" Quakenbush and two other Democrats Phil Philebaum and Terri D. (Barnes) Taylor as well as independents "Watermellon" Jim Phillips and Wayne E. Stevens.
Profiles of each of the candidates in contested races for council follow:
Dottie M. Quakenbush
Dortha "Dottie" M. Quakenbush lives at 321 E. High St. She has served on the town council for the last four years.
She has six children, 12 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
She works as manager of the Westwind Apartments in Redkey.
On the town council she currently has responsibility for the fire department. She formerly supervised the parks department and serves as a member of the Redkey Park Cabin board.
When asked why she was running for re-election, Quakenbush said, "We started the water tower project. I've seen a lot of positive things starting to happen. I'd like to be on the council when the water tower project is completed."
Born in the Lebanon area in Boone County, Quakenbush said her father was a railroad employee and the family moved to various cities in Illinois including Chicago as well as Indiana and Arizona, before she finally settled in Redkey.
She graduated from high school in Indianapolis.
She has been a resident of Redkey for 45 years, living in her current house for the past 38 years.
"I just hope people realize that I've really worked for the good of the town. I would like to see a lot more changes - a lot of improvements. I'll continue to work hard for that," she said.
Phil Philebaum
A Democrat, Phil Philebaum lives at 355 S. Meridian St.
He said, "I have lived in Redkey for 65 years, am a graduate of Redkey High School, and I have three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
"I attend Redkey Town Board meetings regularly. I am acting president of Redkey Fun for Kidz and I am a member of the Redkey Economic Development Corporation."
Philebaum added, "I would like to see a maintenance program for all town equipment, including water meters, which in turn, would keep the board better informed on old equipment and avoid unnecessary spending.
"I would also like to see the board united to help our town to grow."
Terri Taylor
A Democrat and resident of 214 W. High St., Terri (Barnes) Taylor said, "I have been a resident of Redkey for over 50 years and am married to Doug Taylor. I have three children, three stepchildren and 17 grandchildren.
"I attended Redkey High School, and completed my education at Jay County High School.
"I am a regular attendee of Redkey Town Council meetings, and am the recording secretary of Redkey Fun for Kidz," Taylor said.
"I have many reasons for wanting to help govern our town. I would like to see more communication between department heads, their departments and the town board as a whole. I also desire for our town to be a place where new businesses would feel confident enough to come here and stay here. This seems like a long road to take, but I know that together we can make the trip.
"Finances will always be an issue on a small town budget, however, with the right board it can be conquered.
"Last but not least, you have a voice. Attend the meetings. I would love for everyone to take a positive interest in our town," she said.
Jim Phillips
"Watermellon" Jim Phillips lives at 605 W. Main St. He is running as an independent.
Phillips, 62, said he has lived in Redkey all his life with the exception of when he served in the U.S. Navy with the Seabees.
He previously served one term on the Redkey Town Council in the 1980s.
He and his wife, Mavis, have four children.
Phillips is retired after working 32 years for Delco-Remy Battery. In the summertime he sells fresh produce which is where he picked up his nickname. Phillips said he sells watermelons, sweet corn and tomatoes in season.
Phillips belongs to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans.
He is also a member of the Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star and Scottish Rite.
Phillips also noted that it took him about 20 years to miss being a member of the town council, noting that he served in the 1980s.
Wayne Stevens
A resident of 434 W. Main St., Wayne E. Stevens is running for the town council as an independent.
He has been married for 44 years and has three children and four grandchildren.
He went to Muncie Central High School and vocational school where he studied mechanical drawing. He has also taken college courses in human resources, middle management and business law.
He served in the U.S. Army for four years.[[In-content Ad]]
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