August 5, 2021 at 4:58 p.m.
Towell to fill open council position
Barrett resigned from post last month
Towell to fill open council position
Harold Towell has been elected to Jay County Council.
Towell, who turns 68 years old Sunday, takes over the District 2 seat left vacant by Amy Barrett. He was elected by two precinct committeemen –– Carla Horn of Jackson and Denise Brewster of Wayne 2 –– Wednesday during a less than 10-minute caucus meeting for Jay County Republicans. (Barrett resigned July 16 and started a part-time position in the county recorder’s office the following week.) The term runs through 2022.
Towell is a 1971 Bryant High School graduate. He served as president of Bryant Community Center for about 10 years and also as president of Portland Junior League and 4-H Council. Towell coached girls basketball at Bloomfield Elementary School and East Jay Elementary, and he coached softball at Jay County High School.
He’s become less involved recently and explained it seems like the right time for him to step into a county leadership role. Towell hasn’t been involved in county government until now.
From his past experiences on organizational boards, though, Towell said he has realized teamwork is key.
“One person (doesn’t) change it all, it’s got to be a united front,” he said.
He also noted he’s not afraid to share his opinion and thinks it is good to have disagreements.
A grandfather to 10, Towell said he believes the worst issue in Jay County currently is the drug scene.
“My grandkids are just starting into (their) teenage years, and it scares me, you know,” he said. “We’ve got to come down as hard as we can as a community.”
In relation to other hot topics in county government recently, Towell also would like to see more setbacks and restrictions put into place in respect to solar farms in Jay County.
He noted Skycrest Solar, the $150 million, 155-megawatt facility planned to take up 2,500 acres in Penn and Jackson townships.
Towell lives in Jackson Township, and although he doesn’t live next to the land where the solar farm will be constructed, he worries about having too many in the area.
“I guess the big thing here is, when is enough enough?” Towell said. “I think people (have) the right to do a business and to have a solar farm, or a wind farm, but we’re getting saturated.”
He likened it to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Towel said he is a supporter of the business and raises hogs himself — three of his grandchildren are involved in the 4-H Swine Show and are visiting Indiana State Fair today — but he emphasized the importance of reviewing plans and adding new restrictions as needed.
He also isn’t thrilled about the current plan for animal control, specifically the more than $949,000 facility planned for Jay County Humane Society to expand its operations.
“I’ve got cats, I’ve got dogs. Cruelty’s not acceptable, but … let’s do the best job we can economically, because Jay County is not a rich county.”
Towell ran against Barrett in the 2018 primary, and he was the only candidate present at the caucus Wednesday.
Towell, who turns 68 years old Sunday, takes over the District 2 seat left vacant by Amy Barrett. He was elected by two precinct committeemen –– Carla Horn of Jackson and Denise Brewster of Wayne 2 –– Wednesday during a less than 10-minute caucus meeting for Jay County Republicans. (Barrett resigned July 16 and started a part-time position in the county recorder’s office the following week.) The term runs through 2022.
Towell is a 1971 Bryant High School graduate. He served as president of Bryant Community Center for about 10 years and also as president of Portland Junior League and 4-H Council. Towell coached girls basketball at Bloomfield Elementary School and East Jay Elementary, and he coached softball at Jay County High School.
He’s become less involved recently and explained it seems like the right time for him to step into a county leadership role. Towell hasn’t been involved in county government until now.
From his past experiences on organizational boards, though, Towell said he has realized teamwork is key.
“One person (doesn’t) change it all, it’s got to be a united front,” he said.
He also noted he’s not afraid to share his opinion and thinks it is good to have disagreements.
A grandfather to 10, Towell said he believes the worst issue in Jay County currently is the drug scene.
“My grandkids are just starting into (their) teenage years, and it scares me, you know,” he said. “We’ve got to come down as hard as we can as a community.”
In relation to other hot topics in county government recently, Towell also would like to see more setbacks and restrictions put into place in respect to solar farms in Jay County.
He noted Skycrest Solar, the $150 million, 155-megawatt facility planned to take up 2,500 acres in Penn and Jackson townships.
Towell lives in Jackson Township, and although he doesn’t live next to the land where the solar farm will be constructed, he worries about having too many in the area.
“I guess the big thing here is, when is enough enough?” Towell said. “I think people (have) the right to do a business and to have a solar farm, or a wind farm, but we’re getting saturated.”
He likened it to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Towel said he is a supporter of the business and raises hogs himself — three of his grandchildren are involved in the 4-H Swine Show and are visiting Indiana State Fair today — but he emphasized the importance of reviewing plans and adding new restrictions as needed.
He also isn’t thrilled about the current plan for animal control, specifically the more than $949,000 facility planned for Jay County Humane Society to expand its operations.
“I’ve got cats, I’ve got dogs. Cruelty’s not acceptable, but … let’s do the best job we can economically, because Jay County is not a rich county.”
Towell ran against Barrett in the 2018 primary, and he was the only candidate present at the caucus Wednesday.
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