TERRE HAUTE —
There’s no apathy when it comes to Democrats hoping to be their party’s nominees for at-large seats on the Vigo County Council. The May 8 Primary Election will see eight candidates vying to be one of three top vote-getters who will face Republican opponents in the fall General Election.
Adam S. Azar, 32, will make his political debut, hoping to fill a council seat. Currently an eighth grade social studies teacher at West Vigo Middle School, he also serves as that school’s athletic director and coach of its track-and-field team. Serving the community in which he was raised is high on his Azar’s list of priorities, and he said having experience in the field of education gives him valuable perspective.
“I wanted to run a while back,” he said. “It’s been a toss-up of when, not if, with me.”
As a teacher and administrator, Azar said he’s very familiar with budgets as well as the revenue cuts facing tax-supported entities in recent years.
“Being a teacher, we’re working on a 2008 pay scale,” he said, emphasizing his goal to avoid further cuts by using proactive and creative thinking. Eliminating jobs is truly a last resort, he said, expressing his hope to help make Vigo County a place families continue to enjoy.
Incumbent councilman Mark D. Bird, 58, will seek his third term on the council. As Vigo County’s supervisor of the Department of Weights and Measures, Bird falls under a new state law which prohibits government employees from serving as elected officials. If he ultimately wins re-election, Bird would be limited to serving out that term, unless he leaves employment of the county.
The husband and father of two said he enjoys working with the county department heads and commissioners, and hopes to continue a protective role regarding the taxpayers’ money.
“I enjoy doing the job and I want to be on there four more years to see the 641 bypass completed,” he said, adding the current council has done quite well weathering the storm of revenue cuts faced in recent years.
Longtime educator SaRetta J. Brown, 69, said she hopes to contribute her voice to the council in terms of improving the community. Retired after 46 years teaching in the Vigo County School Corp., Brown said she offers a depth of experience.
“I just really want to give back to the community, and be involved in the county government,” she said. “I want to help make decisions on what’s being done, and understand why they’re being done that way. I want to do everything I can to improve our living conditions.”
Incumbent William C. Bryan, 70, is seeking his second term on council, having served eight years total as a Vigo County commissioner earlier in his career. The experience of switching from commissioner to councilman has offered a unique perspective, he said, explaining that the former requests money as the county’s executive, while the latter manages the budgets as the fiscal agent. Budget cuts stemming from property tax caps have been felt throughout county departments, and Bryan said he remembers what it’s like asking for needed projects.
“I enjoy working for the county government, especially on the county council, working with the different department heads,” the semi-retired sales consultant said. “We’ve had a rough three years on our budget restraints, and still we’ve done quite a bit in those last three years. I enjoy it and I hope I get another four years on the council.”
Richard Burger, 55, believes in the power of this community’s energy, and said he wants to be a part of the progress.
“I believe in this community. I believe in the community spirit I see and I want to take it to the next level and make a difference. I believe I can and I will,” the 35-year Duke Energy employee said. “I want the opportunity to earn the job from the community.”
Serving as district manager for Terre Haute, Clinton, Brazil and Greencastle, Burger has been heavily involved in numerous community activities throughout the Wabash Valley, including work with economic development officials. If elected to the council, he said he’ll be a very active member, as he’s a true believer with experience in the community.
Curtis A. DeBaun IV, 30, said he wants to take his turn contributing to the community in which he’s been raised. Working in his family’s business, DeBaun Funeral Homes, his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Indiana State University are in history and he remarked he’s recently obtained a license to teach elementary school and is pursuing that as a future career path.
“I think you need good people to step up and serve their community,” he said. “I’ve lived in Vigo County all my life and I’d like that chance.”
Ann Marie O’Brien, 62, said she’ll bring experience from her career as a county employee to the council table.
“I’ve been approached by several people about this option,” the inspector for the Vigo County Air Pollution Control department said of her decision to run, adding, “I do not want to be a career politician.”
“I’m an honest, hardworking team player and I’ve been a public servant for the county for 25 years. I believe strongly in fiscal responsibility, and after 25 years I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly in county government,” she said. “I think I’ll bring fresh ideas and positive solutions, and improve communication efforts in the county government.”
Incumbent Ed Ping, 61, said he’s running for his second term on the council to help maintain spending levels while providing necessary services.
“The council has done a lot of good and I think I’ve made a lot of contributions toward helping it do well,” he said, noting he’s semi-retired and dedicates considerable time to the position. A 1968 graduate of Rosedale High School, he said he’s had extensive training in labor education, and brings strong experience to the group.
“I want to make sure we have adequate spending for the things that we need and make sure we don’t spend money where we don’t have to,” he said, citing maintenance of county roads and provision for county employees as priorities achieved during tight fiscal times. Neighboring counties are in much rougher shape financially, and he said it’s important to keep Vigo County safe amid cuts. “And it looks like we’ll be able to do the same again.”
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
Name: Adam S. Azar
Age: 32
Education: 2002 graduate of Indiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in social studies education; 2007 graduate of ISU with master’s degree in K-12 Education Administration.
Work history: Eighth grade U.S. history teacher at West Vigo Middle School and athletic director/coach.
Family: Married to Stephanie; two children.
Website: Facebook — Adam Azar for County Council.
Name: Mark D. Bird (I)
Age: 58
Education: 1979 graduate of Oakland City College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and physical education.
Work history: Vigo County Council and Vigo County supervisor of the Department of Weights and Measures.
Family: Married to Brenda; two children.
Website: None
Name: SaRetta J. Brown
Age: 69
Education: 1965 graduate of Indiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education; 1972 graduate of ISU with master’s degree in reading and music.
Work history: Retired teacher of 46 years with the Vigo County School Corp.
Family: Wayman Brown (deceased); three daughters and three granddaughters.
Website: None
Name: William C. “Bill” Bryan (I)
Age: 70
Education: 1959 graduate of Valley High School in West Terre Haute. Attended the University of Houston.
Work history: Vigo County Council and semi-retired sales consultant for CLR Inc.
Family: Married to Barbara; four children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild
Website: None
Name: Richard “Rick” Burger
Age: 55
Education: 1977 graduate of Vincennes University with an associate’s degree in business.
Work history: Duke Energy, district manager of Terre Haute, Clinton, Brazil and Greencastle.
Family: Married to Karen; four children.
Website: None
Name: Curtis A. DeBaun IV
Age: 30
Education: 2005 graduate of Indiana State University with bachelor’s degree in history; 2009 graduate of ISU with master’s degree in history; elementary education license.
Work history: DeBaun Funeral Homes.
Family: Married to Christiana; one child.
Website: www.curtisdebaun.webs.com
Name: Ann Marie O’Brien
Age: 62
Education: 1968 graduate of Schulte High School.
Work history: Inspector with Vigo County Department of Air Pollution Control.
Family: Three children; four grandchildren.
Website: Facebook — Elect Ann Marie O’Brien.
Name: Ed Ping (I)
Age: 61
Education: 1968 graduate of Rosedale High School.
Work history: Vigo County Council.
Family: Married to Cindy; five children.
Website: None
Election 2012
Vigo County Council At-Large - Democrat
- Election 2012
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Indiana House leader pledges no abuse of super-majority power
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma promised not to exploit the super power of the Republicans’ new super-majority status in the Statehouse, saying he hopes Democrats will be “partners” in passing legislation to benefit Hoosiers.
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Vigo ballots saw lengthy list of presidential candidates
While most voters on Tuesday knew the names of Democrat President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney, there was a long list of other presidential candidates on the Indiana ballot.
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Pence promises to go forward with education overhaul, tax cut pledge
Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Pence said he’ll make job creation “job one” when he takes office in January and promised to abide by his campaign’s “Roadmap for Indiana” plan, which includes support for education reforms that voters seemed to reject and a tax cut that legislative leaders oppose.
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Anderson tops Mason: GOP candidate unseats incumbent Dem Commissioner Paul Mason
Republican Brad Anderson pulled off the lone upset at the county level Tuesday, defeating long-time Democrat incumbent Paul Mason for the District 3 seat for Vigo County Commissioner.
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Clay County election 2012
A massive turnout by Clay County voters had general election participation nearing 60 percent by the final unofficial count.
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Parke County election 2012
A majority of Parke County voters selected Mitt Romney as their president by a vote of 4,228 to President Barack Obama’s 2,106 votes, while the governor’s race went to Mike Pence with 3,366 votes to John Gregg’s 2,818 votes.
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Vigo sees strong voter turnout for presidential election
Vigo County saw a strong voter turnout — 52.5 percent — in Tuesday’s 2012 general election, but that total fell short of the nearly 56 percent voter turnout in the presidential election four years ago.
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Vermillion County election 2012
Voter turnout in Vermillion County Tuesday was 59 percent Tuesday as more than 6,750 voters cast ballots in 17 precincts.
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Obama wins re-election
President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney as well as the weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions.
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Incumbent Anderson retains seat
Democratic incumbent Judith Anderson won a fourth term for Vigo County Commissioner District 2 in a race that was close with a first-time challenging candidate.
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Congressman Bucshon retains seat in House
Indiana Congressman Larry Bucshon, a Republican, held off a tough election challenge to retain his 8th District U.S. House seat.
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Dems sweep Council At-Large seats
Democrats swept all three Vigo County Council At-Large seats Tuesday, returning two incumbents plus adding a newcomer to the body.
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Crockett wins to take over Vigo clerk’s office
In the Vigo County clerk’s race, Democrat Dave Crockett defeated Republican Mike Morris by a vote of 21,025 to 16,857.
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Challenger Ritz knocks off Bennett in state superintendent race
Democrat challenger Glenda Ritz pulled off a stunning upset Tuesday night, beating incumbent Republican Tony Bennett in the unexpectedly tight race for Indiana superintendent of public instruction.
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Donnelly gives Democrats Indiana Senate victory
Democrat Joe Donnelly triumphed Tuesday in one of the nation’s most tumultuous Senate races, capitalizing on fallout over his tea party-backed opponent’s comment that a pregnancy resulting from rape is “something God intended” to capture a seat that just a year ago looked to be a lock for Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar.
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Heaton wins re-election in Indiana House District 46
In House District 46, incumbent Republican Bob Heaton won re-election to a second term, defeating Democrat James Mann II, who ran for elected office for the first time.
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Longtime Rep. Borders loses re-election bid
Indiana State Rep. Bruce Borders, a long-time Republican representative from Greene County, apparently lost his re-election bid Tuesday by a razor-thin margin to Democrat Rep. Kreg Battles, also a member of the Indiana House.
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Phone system glitch slows vote counting in Vigo Courthouse
A phone system problem at the Vigo County Courthouse has slowed down vote counting tonight.
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SLIDESHOW: General Election 2012
Photos by Tribune-Star photographers Bob Poynter, Joe Garza and Jim Avelis. Check back for more photos.
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Vigo County seeing strong voter turnout
Voter turnout appears strong in Vigo County as election 2012 reaches its climax.
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Indiana voters can buy alcohol after voting this year
This Election Day marks the first presidential election year in several decades where Indiana voters can buy alcohol after casting their votes.
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What Indiana voters have to say about 2012 races
Across Indiana, thousands of people are casting votes for dozens of races, including the White House, Senate, Congress and the General Assembly. Here’s what they’re saying about why they cast their votes:
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Voting machine problems delay some Indiana voters
Voting machine problems have caused delays and long lines in Hamilton County, a heavily populated Indianapolis suburb that’s a Republican stronghold.
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Indiana race could be showdown over school changes
The campaign to lead Indiana’s education department is being watched as a referendum on school policies pushed by conservatives across the country.
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Congressional, State Representative debates set for October
The League of Women Voters of Knox County (Vincennes) will host two live televised debates in Vincennes in October.
The first debate will be Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. EDT between the candidates for Indiana House of Representatives, District 45, Rep. Kreg Battles and Rep. Bruce Borders.
The second debate will be Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. featuring the candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 8th District, Congressman Larry Bucshon, Dave Crooks, and Bart Gadau. This Congressional debate will be co-hosted by the League of Women Voters of Vigo County (Terre Haute). -
AG candidate spells out concerns
Indiana’s sex offender registry, consumer protection and protecting children from abuse while improving the state’s Child Protective Services agency are among the top issues for Indianapolis attorney Kay Fleming, Democatic candidate for Indiana Attorney General.
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Dates set for Indiana Senate, governor debates
Two debates have been scheduled for next month between the candidates for Indiana’s U.S. Senate election, although organizers are still calling them tentative as final details are worked out.
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Lieutenant governor candidates debate farm issues today
The three candidates for Indiana's lieutenant governor are meeting to debate farm issues.
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Candidates agree to three gubernatorial debates
Indiana’s three gubernatorial candidates have committed to three televised debates this fall through the Indiana Debate Commission.
Candidates include Democrat John Gregg, Republican Mike Pence and Libertarian Rupert Boneham. -
Gregg introduces State Sen. Vi Simpson as choice for lieutenant governor
Indiana Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg this afternoon introduced State Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Ellettsville, as his running mate for the 2012 election.
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Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
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Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
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"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
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