July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Two seek democratic council nod
Two rural Portland residents - James Brewster and Lisa M. Barnett - will face off in the Democratic primary Tuesday for their party's nomination in the race for the district 4 seat on the Jay County Council.
The winner in the race will run against rural Republican Portland resident Mike Rockwell in the November 2 general election.
Barnett, director of human resources at Tyson Mexican Original where she has worked for more than 15 years, is a 1981 graduate of Jay County High School. She also earned a degree in public relations and marketing from Ball State University.
She and husband Mark, the current Jay County Coroner and a former member of the council, have one daughter.
She is a member of Tri-Kappa Sorority, West Walnut Street Church of Chris, the American Legion Auxiliary and the 4-H Extension Advisory Board.
Brewster, a 1999 graduate of Jay County High School, is a master electrician with Brewster Electric, Portland.
He and wife Lisa have three daughters.
Born and raised in Portland, Brewster is a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Knights of Columbus, and Immaculate Conception Church, Portland. This is his first run for political office. His father James E. Brewster, is Wayne Township Trustee, while brother Mike Brewster is a member of the Portland City Council.
Barnett, who ran for but did not win an at-large seat on the county council in 2004, says she has a desire to serve her home county.
"I'm a lifelong resident of the community and I want to see it continue to thrive ... my main thing would be to help the county remain responsible to its budget," Barnett said in an interview this week.
"Probably an issue that we'll have to address ... is lower property tax (revenue)," says Brewster. "I can see those being issues we'd have to look at.
"I've been a member of the community for 28 years, born and raised. I know a lot of the people. I feel like I'm an easy person to talk to if there are any issues people have," says Brewster. "And as a local businessman I know kinda how things are going in the county."
Barnett says she knows that tax revenue is, and will continue to be, tight, making it imperative that the council keep a close eye on budgets and spending.
"I know (county department heads) already received letters to trim their budgets ... by a certain percentage, hoping that by 2011 the department heads could meet that goal ... so that our county can remain in a fiscally (sound) position.
"I feel the economy is coming around, but I don't feel it's near at the level we would hope it would be," Barnett said.
Brewster, who says that his interest in politics comes partially from the involvement of his father and brother, believes that "budget issues" and "keeping a balanced budget" will be the most pressing tasks facing the council over the coming years.
Barnett said that her years of residence in the county and service will allow her to be an effective member of the council.
"I'd just be happy to assist the county and county council in maintaining Jay County to be a great place to work and live," she says.
[[In-content Ad]]
The winner in the race will run against rural Republican Portland resident Mike Rockwell in the November 2 general election.
Barnett, director of human resources at Tyson Mexican Original where she has worked for more than 15 years, is a 1981 graduate of Jay County High School. She also earned a degree in public relations and marketing from Ball State University.
She and husband Mark, the current Jay County Coroner and a former member of the council, have one daughter.
She is a member of Tri-Kappa Sorority, West Walnut Street Church of Chris, the American Legion Auxiliary and the 4-H Extension Advisory Board.
Brewster, a 1999 graduate of Jay County High School, is a master electrician with Brewster Electric, Portland.
He and wife Lisa have three daughters.
Born and raised in Portland, Brewster is a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Knights of Columbus, and Immaculate Conception Church, Portland. This is his first run for political office. His father James E. Brewster, is Wayne Township Trustee, while brother Mike Brewster is a member of the Portland City Council.
Barnett, who ran for but did not win an at-large seat on the county council in 2004, says she has a desire to serve her home county.
"I'm a lifelong resident of the community and I want to see it continue to thrive ... my main thing would be to help the county remain responsible to its budget," Barnett said in an interview this week.
"Probably an issue that we'll have to address ... is lower property tax (revenue)," says Brewster. "I can see those being issues we'd have to look at.
"I've been a member of the community for 28 years, born and raised. I know a lot of the people. I feel like I'm an easy person to talk to if there are any issues people have," says Brewster. "And as a local businessman I know kinda how things are going in the county."
Barnett says she knows that tax revenue is, and will continue to be, tight, making it imperative that the council keep a close eye on budgets and spending.
"I know (county department heads) already received letters to trim their budgets ... by a certain percentage, hoping that by 2011 the department heads could meet that goal ... so that our county can remain in a fiscally (sound) position.
"I feel the economy is coming around, but I don't feel it's near at the level we would hope it would be," Barnett said.
Brewster, who says that his interest in politics comes partially from the involvement of his father and brother, believes that "budget issues" and "keeping a balanced budget" will be the most pressing tasks facing the council over the coming years.
Barnett said that her years of residence in the county and service will allow her to be an effective member of the council.
"I'd just be happy to assist the county and county council in maintaining Jay County to be a great place to work and live," she says.
[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD