MADISON COUNTY — There is a lot of competition in the June 2 primary election for three at-large Madison County Council seats on the ballot
Seven Republicans and five Democrats are vying for a shot to be on the seven-member council, which controls the purse strings of county government.
Republicans
• Anthony Emery, 50, has been a Madison County resident since 1992. He is married to Stacy, and they have two sons. Emery has been on the county council four years, two of which were as president. He described himself as a conservative and feels he has made an impact by trying to see that the county lives within its means. As with several candidates, Emery said he will keep a focus on balancing the budget and improving infrastructure.
Ben Gale, 41, is and a lifetime resident of Madison County. He is married to Andrea, and they have a 13-year-old son. He said he has a great deal of experience dealing with budget matters in both the public and private sector. He previously served two years on the Anderson Community School Board. He was selected through the party caucus in February to complete the term of Tony Harp on the county council. In addition to focusing on budget issues, Gale said he would focus on infrastructure.
Ryan Green, 36, is married to Brittany, and they have two children, ages 6 and 13. He is a lifetime resident of Anderson. Green said he has not held elective office but has been a city employee. He said he’s often felt officials were working for the parties instead of the people and feels he can work across party lines and establish unity.
Pete Heuer is a member if the county council and also is president of the County Council. He and his wife, Kelli, have been residents of Madison County for more than 20 years. Heuer, 51, is director of operations for facilities, planning and management at Ball State University. His prior experience in the public sector includes chairman of the Board of Public Works in Anderson and Community Revitalization Enhancement District president in Anderson. Heuer said he will continue to lead the council responsibly on budgetary issues. He describes himself as a fiscal conservative who will seek the most practical solutions to issues facing the county.
Donnie Holland, 74, has resided in Madison County since 1956. He is married to Kristine and came onto the county council after his son, Brent Holland, died of cancer during his term. He said he feels good morals and values are essential to leadership in the county. He also said his many years of experience and success in managing his own business, as well as his common-sense approach to things, will be invaluable to the position and help instill confidence in elected officials.
Eric Lamey — The Times-Post made multiple attempts to reach Lamey, and messages were not returned by press time.
Mikeal Vaughn, 44, is a lifelong resident of Madison County. He is an employee of the City of Anderson. He said a balanced budget is high on his list of priorities for the county. While he has never held elective office, Vaughn said he believes his experience working for the city and the contacts he has developed in working with contractors for the city will benefit the county. Also on his list of desires for the county is to see more done to improve the infrastructure throughout the county.
DEMOCRATS
Treva Bostichas, 50, has spent most of her life in Madison County. She said she has never held elected office but has been involved in community service, having worked with the courts and in the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office with former Prosecutor Thomas Broderick Jr. She also grew up in a household where public service was crucial. Her father, John Bostic, served on the County Council in years past, she said. She sees the need to focus on infrastructure in the county as crucial because there are outlying areas that don’t have access to public water systems. Bostic also has a concern for green space. If elected, Bostic said she will encourage more work with the Madison County Council of Governments to access grants to improve the infrastructure and help with the creation and maintenance of green space.
Stephany Finney, 32, has three children ages 9, 7 and 3. Finney has lived in the county for her whole life except for the time she attended college. She has never held a public office before but says it is important for the county to focus on budget, infrastructure and what goes on between the taxpayers and government.
Tim Funk, 57, is a lifelong resident of Madison County. He is the father of a grown son and grandfather of 4- and 11-year-old grandsons. He is engaged to Tammy Cogswell. He said he has never been elected to office before but has helped on other elections. He is retired from General Motors. He said he wants to help restore faith in government. High on his list of priorities would be either upgrading the current jail or building a new one with the help of grants.
Tom Newman Jr., 78, has lived in Madison since the mid-1950s. Prior to running for the County Council at-large seat, Newman was judge of Madison Superior Court 3 (which later became a part of the Madison Circuit Court system). He was the first judge elected to that court in 1976 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2018. Newman said public service has always been important in his family. In his earlier years, Newman said he worked for federal and state government. He said his years on the bench in Madison County courts gave him a good perspective on how the budget should be developed and finances should be managed for the county.
William “Bill” Savage, 67, is the fifth generation of his family to be born and reared in Elwood. Savage said he was married but has been single for 26 years. He recently retired from the City of Elwood. He presided over the Elwood City Court for seven years and was on the Elwood City Council. He said many of the roads and streets within the county are in need of repair. Savage said he also hopes to make the county more competitive when it comes to attracting new people and businesses for the future of our children and grandchildren.
