By Chris Bavender
Neither Fred Glynn nor Andrew Dollard has held public office but each hopes to walk away May 6 with the nod for the County Council 1 seat that represents Carmel on the council.
The new councilor would succeed Meredith Carter who is leaving in hopes of working on the Clay Township Board.
County councilors are in charge of approving spending projects from the three-person county commission.
Glynn – a 38-year-old who works in the insurance industry – is running as a fiscal conservative.
“With the specific goal of constraining growth in county government spending and in making the existing spending more effective in serving our local communities,” Glynn said, “I will work to build consensus to accomplish these goals. I have a history of bringing professionals together to design effective solutions and I hope to do the same thing if I am fortunate enough to become your next county councilor.”
Dollard – an attorney – plans to approach the county council role, he said, in much the same way he lives his own life and runs his businesses – with discipline and focus on the future.
“All of my education and adult work experience is in the criminal justice field. At the county level, a large portion of tax revenue is spent dealing with people that enter into the criminal justice system,” the 40-year-old Dollard said. “I would be able to bring my education and experience in the public safety sector to help ensure Hamilton County continues to be the best and safest place on earth to raise a family or start a business.”
Dollard, who is the father of two daughters –18 and 16 – has been endorsed by Carter. A lifelong resident of Hamilton County, Dollard said there are three important issues he plans to address if elected.
“Continued quality growth in Hamilton County, maintaining strong public safety, and continue exercising fiscal responsibility,” he said.
Glynn, who is married with an 8-year-old daughter, said government is becoming more complex and can be overwhelming to voters.
“In that light I believe that we need to provide more transparency and accountability for our citizen’s tax dollars at the county level of government,” he said.
Glynn is endorsed by Hamilton County Council President Rick McKinney.
Voters would get someone who is just as interested as they are, Glynn said, in making sure the community continues to thrive.
“I am not employed with the county and do not depend on county tax revenues for my livelihood, so I will have no conflicts of interest in bringing you the most fiscally conservative county budget possible,” Glynn said. “I promise to work hard and I have a tireless work ethic which even those who disagree with me affirm.”
If Dollard is elected, he said voters would have the benefit of his familiarity with the county.
“My family has resided in Hamilton County since the 1800’s. This is the only county I have had the pleasure of calling home. I truly believe it is the best place to live and raise a family,” he said. “I am trying to do my part to help continue in the progress we have made over the last 30 years.”
