By Ann Marie Shambaugh
Sixteen Zionsville candidates filed to run for office in the May primary by the Feb. 6 deadline, but that’s one of the few certainties heading into the 2015 election season.
The fact that this is an election year for all seven town council seats is overshadowed by a lawsuit filed by the Town of Whitestown attempting to block Zionsville’s reorganization with Perry Township. Depending on which way the court rules will affect whether or not Zionsville has a mayor or clerk/treasurer position in 2016.
But that didn’t stop three people from filing for those positions, which was required by the deadline regardless of the upcoming court decision. Current town council member Candace Ulmer and current deputy clerk Amy Lacy have filed for the clerk/treasurer position and current town council member Tim Haak has filed to run for mayor, even though that position is not officially on the ballot.
All three candidates are aware that they could be running for an office that may not exist, but they are eager to serve Zionsville regardless.
“The voters in Zionsville and Perry Township unanimously voted for reorganization, so I, along with the current town council, am working with the mindset that Zionsville will have its first elected mayor in January, 2016,” said Haak, who has served on the council since 2008. “I hope to be that person, but if the courts don’t rule in Zionsville’s favor there are a number of other ways I can serve the community.”
Ulmer decided to run for clerk-treasurer, a position that will only be up for election if the court sides with Whitestown, to give the voters a say on that position if it still exists.
“Should the court not side with Zionsville, I think it is important that the residents have a voice in choosing their elected officials and it not be left to precinct committeemen,” she said.
Lacy has worked in the clerk treasurer’s office for more than 10 years and is currently the deputy clerk. She believes her experience makes her a perfect fit for the clerk-treasurer position but is prepared for the possibility that it may not even be an option.
“My focus has always been and would continue to be – in whatever capacity – to serve the people of Zionsville in the best way possible,” she said.
Whitestown’s lawsuit claims that Zionsville’s reorganization with Perry Township – which voters approved last year – is unlawful. A court ruled in Whitestown’s favor in October 2014, but Zionsville appealed the ruling. In December a judge granted an order requested by Zionsville to expedite the appeal, but it is unclear when a ruling will happen.
In Perry Township, the positions of trustee and members of the township board would be eliminated if the court sides with Zionsville. Elected offices on the ballot in Whitestown will not be affected by the court ruling either way.
Zionsville primary candidates
Town Clerk-Treasurer
Candace Ulmer
Amy Lacy
Town Judge
Erika K. Singler
Town Council District 1
Bryan Traylor
Town Council District 2
Brett J. Ashton
Kevin Spees
Tim Donnar
Town Council District 3
Tom Schuler
David J. Boggs
Town Council District 4
Elizabeth Hopper
Andrew Auersch
Town Council District 5
Joshua Garrett
Bret G Brewer
Town Council At-Large
Susana Suarez
Town Council At-Large
Jeff Papa
Mayor (not on ballot)
Tim Haak
