INGALLS — Three seats on the Ingalls Town Council are up for grabs in this year’s General Election, and there are five people vying for them.
Hoping to retain their seats are Republicans Scot Lawyer and Justin Gardner and Democrat Teresa Egerton.
Challenging the incumbents are Republican Melanie Johnson and Democrat Terry Moody.
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Turn to Page A5 to read responses from the candidates to questionnaires sent to them by The Times-Post.
Teresa Egerton, Democrat
Teresa Egerton
Age: 45
Education: Associates in Business Management and accounting
Occupation: childcare provider
Political experience: appointed in October 2017
Family: Husband Thomas Egerton, son Matthew Egerton and daughter Michayla Egerton
Why are you running for Ingalls Town Council?
I have lived in Ingalls my entire life. My grandparents lived her. My mother was born and raised here. I was born and raised here. My grandfather was a well respected member of the community. My father was a former town marshal. I was married at one of the churches in town. My children were born and raised here. This is an amazing community. I love it here and want to help it grow to amazing heights.
What are some challenges and/or opportunities the town faces at this time?
We have several challenges currently. One is finding a great town manager. Also, the Newco project.
Which challenge is most pressing, and which opportunity is most promising? Why?
The current most pressing is the Newco project. I want to make sure the community and surrounding communities are safe.
Ingalls fired its town manager last year; his replacement — hired this spring — resigned after about four months on the job; the town is now without a town manager again as it seeks a replacement. Is high turnover an issue the town needs to address with the position? If so, what do you think the council should do about it?
We have had some wonderful past town managers. I hope to find another one in the new future. Being a town manager has it own challenges and several responsibilities, which I believe takes a strong individual who won’t let the little thing overpower you and your own integrity.
Melanie Johnson, Republican
Age: 65
Education: Graduated John Marshall High School. Some classes in Human Resources and Business Management
Occupation: Retired
Political experience: I have served as president of the planning commissions board, board of zoning appeals, fire department ladies auxiliary and park board
Family: Husband, Dennis Johnson; three children, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren
(Please limit responses to each of the following questions to 100 words.)
Why are you running for Ingalls Town Council?
I am a lifelong resident with multiple homes and family living in town.
What are some challenges and/or opportunities the town faces currently?
With huge growth happening now. And hopefully more growth to hopefully come soon. I want to see it as positive growth. We need to help the residents we have now.As well as bring in new growth. I would like for the residents we have now to feel comfortable with the growth and not feel threaten by the changes. We need to make sure both the police department and fire department has the right manpower and training.
Which challenge is most pressing, and which opportunity is most promising? Why?
We all can see the 69-explanation happening now. We need to be supportive of the people who already live in these areas. I want to be a positive council person, that I am able to connect with our residents we have now. Help with more growth with new homes and Business.
Ingalls fired its town manager last year; his replacement — hired this spring — resigned after about four months on the job; the town is now without a town manager again as it seeks a replacement. Is high turnover an issue the town needs to address with the position? If so, what do you think the council should do about it?
The town had a town manager position filled 3½ years. I was not in a position to know all of the details of him leaving. Then we hired a new town manager. He chose after a few months to leave. I am not sure why he made this discussion to leave after such a short time. My knowledge of the employee handbook and my experience human resources can be a great asset to the town. I can help any future town manager and town council to be able to work together for massive growth.
Scot Lawyer, Republican
Age: 47
Education: Some college
Occupation: Delivery driver
Political experience: Ingalls town council 1996-1999
Family: Married-Rachel Lawyer, five children, one stepchild
(Please limit responses to each of the following questions to 100 words.)
Why are you running for Ingalls Town Council?
I feel like with my past experience serving the town and spending most of my life here I can bring some stability to our community. It does come with challenges but as a blue collar worker I relate to everyone. My only focus is moving forward in a positive direction with no drama. My only agenda is doing what’s best for Ingalls.
What are some challenges and/or opportunities the town faces at this time?
Growth. Plain and simple we are in a period that will dictate the future of our town. We need to put petty differences aside and look to the future and be able to maintain and grow the older parts of town. Police, fire and other responsibilities are key to our growth moving forward.
Which challenge is most pressing, and which opportunity is most promising? Why?
Growth in the right way is paramount to the future of our town. We need to invite the right types of business and development that will make Ingalls an attractive and positive place to live and work. Retail and housing are my vision. I’d like to see a seamless continuation between Hamilton county and south Madison. We have good neighbors on all sides of us and I hope we can help make Ingalls a positive addition in the future.
Ingalls fired its town manager last year; his replacement — hired this spring — resigned after about four months on the job; the town is now without a town manager again as it seeks a replacement. Is high turnover an issue the town needs to address with the position? If so, what do you think the council should do about it?
Growth pains. Every town goes through them. It’s not about pointing fingers. It’s about learning from the mistakes we’ve made. We need a more comprehensive approach and definition of duties, what we need and what we expect. As a council and town, we can do better and potential employees and citizens deserve us to do better. We have and have had incredibly wonderful council members and employees in the past but our own growth issues have left us where we are currently. Check your ego and emotions at the door and let’s find the way to making our town a model for small towns.
Terry J. Moody, Democrat
Age: 61
Education: Bachelor of Science — Business Information Systems
Occupation: Quality Engineer — SMC Corporation of America
Political experience: I have held a seat on the Ingalls Planning Commission for the past year.
Family: Spouse — Joanne Moody, Children — Christopher Moody, Audrie Moody
Why are you running for Ingalls Town Council?
I’ve been attending town council meetings for two years and I’ve served on the Planning Commission for the past year. I’ve seen numerous ways we can make things better, processes, documentation, and especially fiscal responsibility and accountability.
What are some challenges and/or opportunities the town faces currently?
We finally added a badly needed patrol officer to the Police Department. Now finding the money to maintain the aging equipment for both the Fire Department and Police Department will be a challenge.
Which challenge is most pressing, and which opportunity is most promising? Why?
Providing adequate emergency and fire protection is difficult and costly. Creating a township or territorial fire department, merging other areas with Ingalls, will increase the professionalism and effectiveness to everyone’s benefit.
Ingalls fired its town manager last year; his replacement — hired this spring — resigned after about four months on the job; the town is now without a town manager again as it seeks a replacement. Is high turnover an issue the town needs to address with the position? If so, what do you think the council should do about it?
A town manager is the enforcer of all the rules, regulations, and ordinances required build, develop, and run a successful town or community. The state and local governments develop and administer the ordinances, but the town manager is the enforcer. That will always make the town manager the bad guy in the public’s eye. The town manager needs guidance and support from the town council to be an effective town manager. In my opinion, this was not achieved in either case. I will always work to support the town manager and all the departments to ensure prosperity and fairness for all Ingalls residents.
Justin Gardner, Republican
Did not return questionnaire
