Two fresh faces are headed to the fall general election to compete for three at-large seats on the Johnson County Council.
Newcomer Ron Deer and Melinda Griesemer and incumbent John Myers, who tallied 17, 21 and 27 percent of the vote, respectively, will run against Democrat Amanda Stevenson-Holmes, who ran unopposed, to represent all Johnson County residents on the council.
Tim Frye, John Mallers and Joshua Marshall were defeated.
If voted in, candidates for Johnson County Council will make decisions on issues regarding the expansion of Interstate 69 through the county, and a new wing of the Johnson County jail.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Johnson County Council members make decisions about how county government spends its money. Last year, it approved two new tax increases, one for the expansion of the Johnson County jail, and another for a new Clark-Pleasant library branch.
Council member Josh McCarty chose not to run for reelection.
Ron Deer, who served on the Greenwood City Council for 28 years, has the life and local experience necessary to help make difficult decisions in Johnson County, he said.
One of his top priorities, shared by other candidates in the race, is to make sure the county is prepared for the I-69 expansion, which will bridge the gap between Martinsville and Indianapolis and follow the route of State Road 37 through the county.
Deer also wants to see the county save more money and avoid raising taxes, he said.
This election was going to be Deer’s last shot at office, he said.
"I’m really excited about the opportunity because this was going to be my last hurrah," Deer said. "This was my 10th campaign and second campaign for county council and I wanted to give it one last shot."
Griesemer, a member of the Johnson County Republican Party who ran for an Indiana House of Representatives spot last year, has the medical experience necessary to lend a helping hand—and ear—to the county’s opioid problem, she said.
Griesemer is a registered nurse and works with patients who have substance abuse issues at Valle Vista Hospital. By increasing the resources available to people struggling with addiction, Johnson County can help mitigate those issues, she said.
Another priority of Griesemer’s, if elected, is maintaining law and order, she said.
"It’s an honor to be able to serve and I’m excited for the opportunity and humbled to do that," Griesemer said after learning she had advanced to the general election. "I plan to continue to be at the heart of what makes Johnson County beat. I’m advocating for the residents of our county."
John Myers, the only incumbent in the race, is a lifelong Johnson County resident and has served on the county council for eight years.
During his time in office, Myers is most proud of saving $3 million in the county’s rainy day fund last year, raising the salaries of county employees and working on the Johnson County jail expansion project, he said.
Myers is seeking another term in hopes of continuing to work on the county’s roads, which are deteriorating, he said, and the county’s community corrections building, which he said is “outdated and falling apart.”
But while he wants to see those improvements made, the county may have to be more fiscally conservative due to the financial strain of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Myers said.
Before the general election, he hopes to meet more of his constituents, as the coronavirus prevented him from doing so during the lead-up to the primary, he said.
"Hopefully I get out more and meet with voters," Myers said. "With the epidemic and staying at home I couldn’t meet with the voters. There were no meet-and-greets or fundraisers because of the virus."
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How You Voted” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Ron Deer;17%
Tim Frye;11%
Melinda Griesemer;21%
John Mallers;11%
Joshua Marshall;12%
John Myers;27%
[sc:pullout-text-end]
