Democrats choose Quakenbush

To fill the vacancy Terri Taylor left, local Democrats chose one of her former fellow council members.

Dominic Martyne, chair of the Jay County Democrats, appointed Dottie Quakenbush on Tuesday evening to serve the remaining two-plus years of Taylor’s term.

The position became open after Taylor resigned from the council at its Aug. 20 meeting.

Two candidates — Quakenbush and “Watermellon” Jim Phillips — had expressed interest in the position. Both were in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting of local Democrats along with former chair Fred Bailey and Martyne.

Each candidate gave a short statement about their interest in the office.

“I’m just interested always in what’s going on in Redkey,” said Quakenbush. “We’re having some sewer problems. We’re having some park problems. … Just several things that are going on right now. I’d like to be involved in it.”

Quakenbush served on the council, including for a time as its president, from 2004 through early 2010 before resigning about midway through her second term.

Phillips is also a previous town council member, having served in the 1980s. He has run several times since and noted Tuesday that he was second among the Democratic candidates on the ballot in the 2019 general election for Redkey Town Council.

“I was interested in it. That’s why I ran for the office,” said Phillips. “And I think I can help them out too. They need help. We’ve got some bad problems.”

The candidates were also asked about their top goals for serving on the council, with both responding that they’d like to address issues involving the town’s water department. Both said they want to see charges, such as tap-in fees and deposits, reduced or eliminated altogether.

Often, such a council vacancy would be filled via a vote of the relevant precinct committeemen. However, state code allows the party chair to make the appointment in cases in which two or fewer precinct committeemen are involved. In this case, Redkey has just one precinct committeeman position and that seat is currently vacant.

Martyne chose Quakenbush for the council seat, adding that he hoped Phillips would offer his input given their similar views about issues involving the water department.

Taylor resigned the position in August, saying she no longer had the endurance for insubordination, disrespect and ordinances and policies being ignored. She had served as president of the council since taking office in January 2019 and had also been a council member from 2008 through 2011.