Brazil — The race for Brazil’s clerk-treasurer has become one of the most heated races in the city, with disputes about the accuracy of accounting practices going back several years.
Republican Janet Wallace, 64, who held the office from 2000 to 2003, and most recently served as deputy clerk-treasurer, was suspended from her duties in September for failure to pay city taxes on time, but she claims her suspension was politically motivated.
Her opponent, Democrat Karen McQueen, 29, who had been working part time in the office since January, took over for Wallace when she was suspended, and currently serves as full-time deputy clerk-treasurer.
Incumbent Tracy Webster, who suspended Wallace, is not running for re-election and plans to leave the clerk’s office for another job offer, she said.
The Brazil Times in September reported that the State Board of Accounts during a routine audit learned that there were four different occasions in 2005 and 2006 when city taxes had been paid late by the clerk’s office.
The city owed more than $6,000 in penalties for those incidents, according to the Brazil Times.
Todd Austin, supervisor with the Indiana State Board of Accounts, declined Thursday to confirm the late payments, saying a report on the 2006 audit will not be available for public viewing until Wednesday.
Webster said during a recent interview that Wallace, who made tax payments to the IRS, had hidden the penalties from her, and used Webster’s rubber name stamp to pay the penalties.
“I have been asked to personally repay the city this money,” Webster added.
Wallace said Webster “knew about each one of the penalties. She says she doesn’t, but she did, because I told her about each one when it happened.”
Wallace added that the suspension was “definitely” political. Webster and deputy clerk McQueen “had been looking over my shoulder for quite awhile to find something … every little thing they could pounce on,” she said.
In a letter Wallace wrote addressed to Webster, Mayor Ann Bradshaw, and to former City Attorney Eric Wyndham regarding the late tax payments, Wallace wrote, “This occurred some time ago and I cannot remember why this happened, but this was not done intentionally.”
McQueen, who said during a recent interview that she wants to avoid negative campaigning, said she would refer any questions about the late taxes to Webster.
“I feel bad for the current clerk-treasurer because I feel like she is being attacked,” McQueen said. “I just hate to see it. She really is efficient; she was handed a lot of errors.”
Both Wallace and McQueen agree that the most important issue for the office of clerk-treasurer is that the accounts are accurate and balanced.
McQueen said, “I want accuracy in that office, that’s the biggest thing. There’s no room for mistakes, which can turn into very costly mistakes. We need to have accuracy and double-checking to make sure the taxpayers’ money is being spent properly.”
According to Wallace, during her four years in office the books were balanced and audits were complete. She claims that since she left office, the audits have failed for being incomplete and full of errors, and she expects to remedy the problems.
“When I was in office, we always had a completed audit, the books always were in shape where they could do an audit,” Wallace said. “Since I’ve been out of office, the last three years they’ve had disclaimers, a failed audit. [The State Board of Accounts] couldn’t audit the books because the numbers didn’t match, they wasn’t reconciled. Information was missing and different things … ”
Wallace added, “I want to get the books back in shape and see that payroll and employees are all covered and everything.”
Webster said she is frustrated with Wallace’s portrayal of Webster’s accounting.
“The [recent] audits are not correct because before [Wallace] left office in 2003, we got [a new accounting software], and she [input] all the figures wrong,” Webster said. “I’m not trying to slander her, but she fails to tell the whole truth.”
As for numbers being off, Wallace’s opponent, McQueen, says, “There is some wrong inputting in the computer … that does need addressed and that is something I will do when I take office to make sure everything is in order.
“I want to be able to go into the computer and when Mayor Bradshaw or Mayor Sheese calls me and says how much money do we have in the bank, I want to be able to tell them. I don’t want to be confused on that.”
McQueen, who also serves as clerk-treasurer for the Clay County Humane Society, added that she is running for the office because “I just wanted to do something good for taxpayers. I wanted to make sure that their money is spent properly … I feel a lot of things needed to be updated in this city to make us move forward. I have a little girl, a year and a half old, and I want better things for her.”
If elected, McQueen says she intends to continue her training to keep the office moving forward.
“If you don’t stay up on those computers, you’re done,” she said. “This world is fast-paced … I feel like me and my deputy clerk-treasurer need to go to all of those trainings.”
Wallace, in her campaign materials, stated that she will continue to attend state educational seminars and trainings on local government and budget preparations.
Among other changes Wallace said she intends to implement if she is elected, she wants to make sure the doors of the clerk-treasurer’s office are open eight hours a day. Currently, she said, the office closes around noon and is closed for an hour.
Wallace is a member of Croy Creek Congregational Christian Church, where she serves as assistant treasurer; she serves on the board of directors for the Clay County emergency food pantry, and serves as treasurer for their building fund; treasurer for the Jackson Gardens tenants committee; and a member of Order of Eastern Star at Knightsville.
She said she wants voters to know, “I am honest, I have my faith, and I love my job … and regards to what anyone says, I think I do know what I was doing and did it well.”
Deb Kelly can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.mckee@tribstar.com.
• Janet I. Wallace (R)
Age — 64
Education — Graduated from Van Buren High School 1964
Employment — Custodian at Brazil City Hall for 8 years; receptionist and assistant to the clerk at the Clerk-Treasurer’s office for 15 years (total of 23 years in City Hall); appointed to clerk-treasurer in 1999, and served from 2000 to 2003; deputy clerk-treasurer 2004 to 2007
Family — Raised two nephews and has 7 grandchildren
• Karen L. McQueen (D)
Age — 29
Education — Graduated from Northview High school; bachelor’s degree in psychology from Indiana State University; associate’s degree in human services from Ivy Tech Community College; several classes in business, marketing and accounting from Ivy Tech Community College
Employment — Clay County Health Center, social service director; Area 7, case manager; stay-at-home mom; deputy clerk-treasurer
Family — Husband, Troy; daughter, 18-month-old Myra
Local & Bistate
Brazil clerk-treasurer race is city’s most heated
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Asian hooded crane lands in Greene County wildlife area
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia.
-
Slow drips: It’s maple syrup season in Indiana
More seasonal, colder temperatures will hit the Wabash Valley this weekend, which is ideal weather for maple syrup production, said Keith Ruble, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.
However, Ruble voices concern that this year’s maple syrup season may be short.
-
Downtown restaurant celebrates expansion
The streets of Terre Haute were chilly Thursday night, but for the glow of hot pasta inside Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe.
-
Contract signed for new Y
Papers are signed and the ink is in place for a new YMCA to operate in Terre Haute.
-
City to impose $30 release fee on towed vehicles
The Terre Haute City Council voted without opposition Thursday to impose a new $30 release fee on vehicles towed and impounded by the police as part of a criminal investigation.
-
Valley educators cautious on Indiana’s ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana is one of 10 states to receive a waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements.
-
Driver dies after Illinois school bus crash
“Brace yourself. Brace yourself,” Fay Pickering shouted to her students just before the school bus she was driving crossed U.S. 40 and landed in a ditch Thursday morning.
-
Trial date set for former WTH police chief
A July 23 trial date has been set for a former police chief of West Terre Haute accused of theft.
-
Motorcycle gang member pleads guilty in federal court
A member of an Indianapolis motorcycle gang who delivered methamphetamine to a Terre Haute dealer has pleaded guilty to drug charges in federal court.
-
July trial date set for mother charged with child neglect
A July 30 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute mother charged with neglecting and battering her toddler.
-
Business hosting SPPRAK fundraiser
Java Haute is hosting the latest fundraiser sponsored by SPPRAK — Special People Performing Random Acts of Kindness.
-
Valley high school cooking competition under way today
Clabber Girl Corp. and Gordon Food Services will host the fourth-annual High School Chef Competition, beginning today through Saturday, and again Feb. 18, in the Culinary Classroom at Clabber Girl.
- UPDATE: Marshall, Ill., school bus driver involved in accident dies; cause appears to be cardiac-related
-
Terre Haute road name game
What used to be called U.S. 40 from the Wabash River west through West Terre Haute to Interstate 70 needs to be renamed and, probably, get new street addresses, a Vigo County planner recommends.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Stocks Fall Sharply As Greek Deal Is Held Up
Today in History for Tuesday, February 12th
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Lusetich: AT&T Rd. 3 recap
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Absolute Lin-sanity
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
