July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Incumbent Kirby challenged by Champ in District 1 (04/26/06)
A three-term member of the Jay County Council faces a primary challenge this spring from a former member of the Redkey Town Council and Jay School Board.
Gerald R. Kirby, 30 S. Union St., Redkey, is running against Ted Champ, 4904 S. Ind. 1, Redkey, for Democratic nomination for the District 1 (Richland Township) seat on the Jay County Council.
Kirby, who has served on the council since 1993, also served as Jay County Sheriff from 1975-1978. A graduate of Dunkirk High School (1956) and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, he is retired.
He was an operator and consultant for 12 years as a certified water and wastewater operator. He also served with Dunkirk Police Department, retiring as chief, and as Redkey Marshal.
He is married to Sandy Kirby, who is Redkey Clerk -Treasurer. He has two sons, a step-son, a step-daughter, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Champ, a 1973 graduate of Redkey High School, has been a bricklayer with BAC Local 4 (Indiana/Kentucky) for 17 years. He served as president of the union for two years, as secretary/treasurer for four years and as a field representative for four years.
Champ served on the Jay School Board from 2001-04, and on the Redkey Council from 1983-90.
He and wife LuAnn have two daughters.
Champ is a member of Redkey Faith Ministries, Lions Club and is a former reserve police officer and volunteer fireman for Redkey.
Kirby is Master of the Halfway Masonic Lodge in Redkey, and is also a member of Scottish Rite, Shrine, Dunkirk Kiwanis Club, Elks, Moose and Legion of the Moose.
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?
Kirby — I am serving in my 12th years as Jay County Councilman. I have the strength to stand up for what is right and the courage to fight that which is wrong.
Champ — I live in and own a business in Richland Township and as a citizen and business owner I would like to see Richland Township grow as a community with a thriving business entity. I have worked with budgets daily for the last six years, not only as a businessman but also as the president of a multi-million dollar not-for-profit organization. I have held political office before and believe I have the common sense and open-mindedness to fulfill the goals of Richland Township.
What do you believe to be the most pressing issue before the council now? What is your position on that issue?
Kirby — To pick a single issue is next to impossible, easy answers abound. Low taxes/good roads are always easy and hollow answers. I think the new reassessment and tax abatement rules are going to add to an existing problem, through the shifting of workloads among elected officials. We have township assessors and trustees asking for funding fairness and that situation is only going to get more pressing. I favor a system that measures the workload and output from the offices and funds accordingly. Most of the officials are on top of their game and doing a great job; other leave something to be desired. It is not fair to have a “one pay for all” system. Do I have the formula to change it to perfect? No, but I am sure with some hard work on our part (county council) and some honest input from the elected officials we can solve the problem.
Champ — Expenses are of major concern to the community as a whole. As expenses rise, keeping the budget as low as possible, yet benefiting the taxpayers, will be my main goal.
Briefly describe what you see as the role of the county council.
Kirby — The county council has but one function and that is to set up the county budget and manage those funds. We do not hire, fire nor discipline anyone. To try to influence the operation of an elected office by controlling their funds or micro-managing the department is wrong. We serve on boards such as Jay County Development Corporation, tax abatement, zoning, personnel, solid waste district and many others. It is through participation on these boards that we can influence policy and affect change.
Champ — Working with department heads and commissioners; overseeing additional appropriation requests.
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?
Kirby — While an active police officer I served my jurisdiction firmly and fairly. As a county councilman I have tried to carry out that same work ethic. I believe we have been able to keep control of the county budget and keep taxes down without placing an undue burden on the office-holders.
Champ — I will hard and diligently to fulfill the tasks at hand and to benefit the citizens of Richland Township. I will not back down from any challenge presented before me or if I believe that is the right thing to do.[[In-content Ad]]
Gerald R. Kirby, 30 S. Union St., Redkey, is running against Ted Champ, 4904 S. Ind. 1, Redkey, for Democratic nomination for the District 1 (Richland Township) seat on the Jay County Council.
Kirby, who has served on the council since 1993, also served as Jay County Sheriff from 1975-1978. A graduate of Dunkirk High School (1956) and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, he is retired.
He was an operator and consultant for 12 years as a certified water and wastewater operator. He also served with Dunkirk Police Department, retiring as chief, and as Redkey Marshal.
He is married to Sandy Kirby, who is Redkey Clerk -Treasurer. He has two sons, a step-son, a step-daughter, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Champ, a 1973 graduate of Redkey High School, has been a bricklayer with BAC Local 4 (Indiana/Kentucky) for 17 years. He served as president of the union for two years, as secretary/treasurer for four years and as a field representative for four years.
Champ served on the Jay School Board from 2001-04, and on the Redkey Council from 1983-90.
He and wife LuAnn have two daughters.
Champ is a member of Redkey Faith Ministries, Lions Club and is a former reserve police officer and volunteer fireman for Redkey.
Kirby is Master of the Halfway Masonic Lodge in Redkey, and is also a member of Scottish Rite, Shrine, Dunkirk Kiwanis Club, Elks, Moose and Legion of the Moose.
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?
Kirby — I am serving in my 12th years as Jay County Councilman. I have the strength to stand up for what is right and the courage to fight that which is wrong.
Champ — I live in and own a business in Richland Township and as a citizen and business owner I would like to see Richland Township grow as a community with a thriving business entity. I have worked with budgets daily for the last six years, not only as a businessman but also as the president of a multi-million dollar not-for-profit organization. I have held political office before and believe I have the common sense and open-mindedness to fulfill the goals of Richland Township.
What do you believe to be the most pressing issue before the council now? What is your position on that issue?
Kirby — To pick a single issue is next to impossible, easy answers abound. Low taxes/good roads are always easy and hollow answers. I think the new reassessment and tax abatement rules are going to add to an existing problem, through the shifting of workloads among elected officials. We have township assessors and trustees asking for funding fairness and that situation is only going to get more pressing. I favor a system that measures the workload and output from the offices and funds accordingly. Most of the officials are on top of their game and doing a great job; other leave something to be desired. It is not fair to have a “one pay for all” system. Do I have the formula to change it to perfect? No, but I am sure with some hard work on our part (county council) and some honest input from the elected officials we can solve the problem.
Champ — Expenses are of major concern to the community as a whole. As expenses rise, keeping the budget as low as possible, yet benefiting the taxpayers, will be my main goal.
Briefly describe what you see as the role of the county council.
Kirby — The county council has but one function and that is to set up the county budget and manage those funds. We do not hire, fire nor discipline anyone. To try to influence the operation of an elected office by controlling their funds or micro-managing the department is wrong. We serve on boards such as Jay County Development Corporation, tax abatement, zoning, personnel, solid waste district and many others. It is through participation on these boards that we can influence policy and affect change.
Champ — Working with department heads and commissioners; overseeing additional appropriation requests.
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?
Kirby — While an active police officer I served my jurisdiction firmly and fairly. As a county councilman I have tried to carry out that same work ethic. I believe we have been able to keep control of the county budget and keep taxes down without placing an undue burden on the office-holders.
Champ — I will hard and diligently to fulfill the tasks at hand and to benefit the citizens of Richland Township. I will not back down from any challenge presented before me or if I believe that is the right thing to do.[[In-content Ad]]
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