Two people are seeking a seat on the town council of the quickly developing Town of Whiteland.
Incumbent Republican David Hawkins will face off against Matthew "Tim" Smith, who is running as an independent for the Ward 1 seat on Whiteland’s town council. Hawkins ran unopposed for the seat in the spring primary.
Town council members are paid $5,000 annually and vote on issues that affect the town such as whether to approve tax abatements for new or existing businesses. Ward 1 represents the northeast side of town, although every town resident can vote for them, said Norm Gabehart, town manager.
Both candidates said the town is making positive strides and they would like to continue to see that progress. Both men said moving the town forward is a priority.
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"We have all the development in the world as far as that goes," Hawkins said. "The town’s doing fabulous as far as that goes."
Hawkins would like to see a grocery store be developed in the town, and said residents have missed having a grocery store since Mr. D’s on U.S. 31 shuttered years ago. The site of the former store now houses medical offices for Johnson Memorial Health.
Brown also listed development as a priority if he gets elected, but would make sure Whiteland keeps its small-town feel, he said.
"I would like to see the town grow, but I don’t want to lose that small-town feel either," he said.
Hawkins would also like to see the town progress in other areas, such as street repair and public safety, continue as it has under Gabehart’s leadership.
About 93 percent of the streets have been repaved, and the town has also added police officers in recent years, Hawkins said.
"I want that to grow, and I think with the leadership we have in town, it will continue to grow and develop," he said.
Some of Brown’s other priorities include listening to people and being their voice in all matters, he said.
"I just want to make the right decisions for the town’s people," he said.
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Whiteland Town Council Ward 1
Term: Four years
Pay: $5,000 per year
Duties: Voting on issues that affect the town including tax abatements and development and appointing the town manager
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Name: David Hawkins
Age: 63
Family: One adult son
Occupation: Retired from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Education: Southport High School; attended Vincennes University
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Name: Matthew "Tim" Brown
Age: 53
Family: Wife, Lisa; four adult sons
Occupation: Town of Bargersville, building utility inspector
Education: Greenfield High School
Memberships: Rocklane Christian Church
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