Four candidates, all Republicans, are vying for three seats on the Marshall Township advisory board. The candidates who will be on the May 3 primary ballot are Sam Bond, Chase Cummings, Mike Holmes and Parker Judah. Bond currently serves on the advisory board.
Advisory board members assist the township trustee in managing local funds. The board adopts the annual budget and adopts policies. Townships are responsible for providing fire protection, maintaining cemeteries and assisting the poor. In 2021, the position paid $1,250.
All candidates were sent the following questions. Judah did not submit responses.
All townships in Lawrence County have a three-member township advisory board that assist the township trustee by providing financial oversight, guidance and approving the budget. Given that townships are community members making decisions about their community, why do you want to serve on the Marshall Township advisory board?
Bond: I would like to continue projects in the Township including the Park. We have ongoing grants to the Township that would benefit from a continuity in leadership on the Advisory Board.
Cummings: I want to serve on the Marshall Township Advisory Board because I feel that due to my age I can bring a fresh perspective to the board. I also believe that my ability to be financially responsible can be a voice for this township’s fiscally conservative constituents. Volunteering my time and efforts to make my community a better place is something I try to do daily and I feel that a seat on the Marshall Township Advisory Board would be a perfect position that would allow me to assist the Trustee in making our community better and safer.
Holmes: I want to serve the people of the community. I am a lifelong resident of Marshall Township and graduated from Needmore High School in 1966. I care about where our tax dollars are being spent. I would like to be involved with these decisions.
Among the advisory board’s duties are examining and approving township financial statements and advising the trustee, what experience or qualifications do you have relevant to those duties?
Bond: Serving in various leadership roles has made me learn the principles of budgeting. I have attended seminars on these subjects including how to incorporate stakeholder viewpoints in directing resources.
Cummings: As current Chairman of the Lawrence County Young Republicans Club, our treasurer and I are responsible for managing all bank accounts, overseeing fundraisers, and keeping records of dues, donations, and expenses. I also have experience advising candidates and monitoring campaign finances as I have assisted and managed local campaigns. I feel that this experience qualifies me to be capable of approving financial statements and advising our township’s trustee.
Holmes: I was a three-term president of Local 2031 IBEW Union at ABB-Westinghouse in Bloomington. In all the terms I had an executive board that approved or disapproved every penny that was spent. The executive board is similar to the advisory board duties. I had no problems with the executive board or do I see any problems with being on the advisory board.
What qualities do you think are necessary to be a good advisory board member?
Bond: One must always remember that a person is elected to serve the constituents of the office over personal opinions. You have to do your homework to know how to make the best decisions. Knowing other office holders on the local, State, and National levels opens opportunities for collaboration. Also, knowledge of the key individuals who can direct grant funding is critical.
Cummings: I think all public servants and elected officials should be in close connection with their constituents and always available to be contacted. I also believe a good advisory board member should be able to keep an open mind when listening to suggestions from other board members or speaking with constituents. Above all, being a man of integrity should be qualification number one for a good advisory board member. Being honest, transparent, standing up for my beliefs, and living in accordance to my values is something I will always live by.
Holmes: Having a level head. Be able to help people when you can and tell people "no" if we don't have the funds. When I am elected, I hope the other two members have the same philosophy. I care about the people and the needs of the community.
Hypothetically, if your township were to receive a $50,000 unrestricted grant, how would you like to see it spent?
Bond: Such a grant should be directed to the basic responsibilities of the Township; Fire, Cemetery maintenance, poor relief, and our new Park in Avoca. Each group should be surveyed to find what they feel are the highest priorities.
Cummings: If our township received a $50,000 unrestricted grant I would like to see it spent on emergency services. I understand that gear and personal protective equipment only lasts so long. It's important that our volunteers have all the necessary equipment to stay safe. I would also like for all of our volunteer firefighters to have access to a variety of training whether that be through advanced training classes, practical exercises, or both, and to be able to further their expertise in emergency services. Thankfully, we have a department of motivated youthful volunteers who would benefit greatly from expanded training opportunities. As they benefit, so do the township residents.
Holmes: If the grant is unrestricted, it should be shared with all the different programs that are connected with running Marshall Township. None is more important than the other.
Candidate bios
Sam Bond
Employment: Consulting forester and have managed the forests of individuals in southern Indiana since 1977.
Family: Married for 44 years and a 40-year resident of Marshall Township for 40 years.
Memberships: Attends Traders Point Christian Church, president of the board of Aviation Commissioners for Grissom Municipal Airport, a former Lawrence County Republican chairman, board member of the Benjamin Harrison Conservation Trust, past chairman of the Indiana chapter of the Society of American Foresters, past president of the Indiana Forest Industry Council, and a member of No. 14 Bedford Masonic Lodge.
Chase Cummings
Education: Graduate of Bedford North Lawrence High School in 2019. Graduated from International Barber Academy in Columbus in 2020.
Employment: Barber at Steele’s Barber Shop in Bedford.
Memberships: Chairman of Lawrence County Young Republicans
Family: I was raised by mother, Robin Cummings Sasser and my grandparents Richard and Rita Hawkins.
Interests: Enjoy watching friends/family race at Brownstown Speedway, watching IU basketball, going to the gym, following NASCAR and being involved in local politics.
Mike Holmes
Education: 1966 graduate of Needmore High School
Employment: Retired from Westinghouse/ABB and also Lawrence County Sheriff's Department
Memberships: Member of IBEW Local 2031 for 32 years and past president of IBEW.
Family: Married to Jeannie, two daughters Kim Hawk and Jennifer Pemberton, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.
