District 3 incumbent faces challenger in May primary

0

Compiled by Ann Marie Shambaugh

Tom Schuler, a 3-year member of the Zionsville Town Council, will face off for the Zionsville Town Council District 3 seat against 13-year Zionsville resident David J. Boggs, who is seeking his first political office.

David J. Boggs
David J. Boggs

Name: David J. Boggs

Age: 54

How many years have you lived in Zionsville? 13 years

How did you end up in Zionsville?

In 1983 I opened and managed the Noble Romans franchise located here in Zionsville in the Old Town Hall Center. This is when I first experienced Zionsville. For 27 years I’ve been in the insurance industry which took me to Ohio. After residing there for three years, a new job opportunity in 2003 brought us back to Indiana and most importantly to Zionsville. We moved into our present home in January 2004.

Why do you want to run for elected office?

I have a history of holding leadership positions through my education and my career. I always considered running for public office, but as many have felt, I did not have time.  I began to find myself taking a very active interest when several items came to the forefront impacting both Zionsville and District 3 where I reside. The first being the proposed I-865 interchange ramp at Cooper Road and most recently the proposed CarDon complex currently in front of the Town Council for 334 and Cooper Road.

I am also not an attorney, an engineer or a developer, but a resident of this community that will fight to be heard and will fight for the Zionsville Community and District 3 to keep it on a path of responsible common sense growth.

What is your previous political experience?

I have not held a public office to date. However, I have a history of holding leadership positions through my education, career and volunteerism. I was elected as my high school class president for three years and then elected fraternity president while at Purdue. During my time with the Indiana Jaycees, I was elected to numerous offices including Zionsville Chapter President, State Region 3 Director and was appointed the State Treasurer for 3 years.

What are your top priorities if elected?

I feel that the town needs to be responsible about development in order to protect the village, the equestrian areas and most of all the ambiance of Zionsville.  I’m concerned that the direction of some alterations to the comprehensive plan has the potential to negatively impact our downtown businesses.

I think that the town had laid out a solid comprehensive plan, and yet that plan is continually being altered and rezoned in ways that are against what was originally approved.  While some change may be necessary, at what point do we stick with the plan?  I want to listen to the residents of District 3 and the Zionsville community so that we can all work together to achieve a common responsible growth goal.

I would like for the council to finish what it started with the merging of Eagle and Union Townships. Many of us are left questioning why we still receive road service and police protection from Boone County and not Zionsville.  A lot of time and expense has been spent in the last year trying to merge with Perry Township, while many of us are still wondering why our own township merger hasn’t been finished to the extent that we expected. Could our tax dollars have been better spent on consolidation rather than litigation?

What are your qualifications to run for this office?

I have a history of holding leadership positions through my education, career and volunteerism.   I have learned to listen to others and work with them to accomplish a common goal.  For the Indiana Jaycees I held numerous offices including Chapter President and held the state office of Region Director.   As an individual who feels passionate about Zionsville and its future direction: I will learn, listen and take advice from my predecessors, the Zionsville Community and most importantly the constituents residing in District 3.

Throughout my career I have been a manager of people in both the restaurant and insurance industries. I also have the experience of developing and managing budgets and P&L during my time at Noble Romans and as a Regional Office Sales Manager.

As an individual who feels passionate about Zionsville and its future direction, I will utilize this experience and continue to learn, listen and take advice from my predecessors, the Zionsville Community and most importantly the constituents residing in District 3 as we all work to our common goal: The preservation of the historic ambiance that is Zionsville.

What is your favorite thing about Zionsville?

The ambiance and heritage of the area and the town. We are a community that provides a mixture of agricultural, residential, commercial, retail and equestrian areas. We have in the most part maintained the heart of Zionsville.

What area do you think is Zionsville’s greatest need for improvement?

Responsible growth that protects the very heritage of Zionsville.

Favorite local restaurant: Friendly Tavern

Favorite movie: Independence Day (1996)

Family: Wife, Amy; daughters, Mya and Kailee

Pets: Three rescued Labs

Favorite vacation: Orlando, FL with family & friends

Something you’d like readers to know about you:

That I am easy to approach and that I will listen to others views and opinions and consider their input on decisions that I will need to make on behalf of District 3. That I am not afraid to stand up and be heard!

Something most people don’t know about you:

In talking with my family and friends, there is not much they do not know about me. I am pretty much an open book when it comes to my values and beliefs. They all know that at heart, I am a conservative Republican.

 

Tom Schuler
Tom Schuler

Name:  Tom Schuler

Age:  53

How many years have you lived in Zionsville? 15 years

How did you and your family end up in Zionsville? The opportunity to work at Braun Consulting brought us to Indiana, and we chose Zionsville after investigating the schools and town.

Why do you want to run for elected office?  During the past three years as a Town Council member I feel I have brought a lot of common sense to decision making, kept an open mind toward all proposals, and tried to forge a strong relationship with key stakeholders in the community including local businesses, the school system and the citizens.  I would like to continue these efforts.

What is your previous political experience? Have you run for or held an elected office before?  I have served on the Town Council for the past 3 years.  No political positions previously.

What are your top priorities if elected?   Continue economic development.  Assessed value in the community has shifted from 97% residential/3% commercial to 90% residential/10% commercial in the past 3 years.  This is important because it diversifies the tax base that the community has to operate with and brings greater economic vibrancy to the community and its businesses.  I would like to continue toward the goal of 80% residential/20% commercial by the year 2020.

With the expected growth of the community we have to continue to evaluate and improve our transportation systems.  We have made progress over the past 3 years with improvements on Oak Street (334), with a light at 700 East and lowering the speed limit, the new bridge over Eagle Creek, the traffic light at 106th St x Zionsville Road intersection, and we look forward to our first roundabout at Ford Rd x Bloor Rd.

It is important for Zionsville to continue to make investments in our community which enhance our unique nature.  I believe the parks and pathways that have been developed in the past make Zionsville a family friendly and physically active community.  It also helps to unite the community.  I hope to continue my work on the pathways committee to continue to see the expansion of these pathways and green spaces.

What are your qualifications to run for this office? During the past 3 years while serving as a Town Council member I have utilized my financial skills to:  assist the town in managing towards a balanced budget; worked on committees to optimize the bidding process for professional services; worked with the town to automate payment processing; collaborate with the RDC to ensure we bring cost-effective projects to our TIF district.  I have also been instrumental in recommending high quality professionals to add public service to the community.

What is your favorite thing about Zionsville? I have many favorite things. I have made wonderful new friends and neighbors since moving to the community. My children have received the finest education possible from Zionsville Community Schools. My activities in the Lions Club have allowed me a front row seat to all the activities at Lions Park.

What area do you think is Zionsville’s greatest need for improvement? We need continued economic development to fund the needs of the community, the schools and the library.

Favorite local restaurant: I have gained weight enjoying the food at just about every establishment!

Favorite movie: “Hoosiers,” “National Treasure”

Favorite quote or motto: If you are not ahead, you are behind.

Family: wife Carol, daughter Elizabeth (19, ZCHS graduate and freshman at Clemson University), son Andrew (15, freshman at ZCHS)

Pets: none currently

Favorite vacation: Family trip to Switzerland to the Schuler homestead farm

Something you’d like readers to know about you: My job has held me financially and legally accountable every day for the past 16 years, as a company executive.  I treat my role on the Town Council with the same respect.

Something most people don’t know about you: Carol and I were on the TV show, “The Newlywed Game”


Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Share.

Current Morning Briefing Logo

Stay CURRENT with our daily newsletter (M-F) and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox for free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact