Both candidates for a seat in the state legislature that represents the Greenwood and Whiteland areas say education and a long-term funding fix for community infrastructure are the top priorities.
But the newcomer, Democrat Dr. Ed O’Connor, says a change is in order and that he has been disappointed and embarrassed by the actions of Hoosier lawmakers, specifically when it comes to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The longtime veterinarian who has been heavily involved in Clark-Pleasant schools is challenging Republican Woody Burton, who has been a state representative for the Greenwood, Whiteland and New Whiteland communities for 28 years.
Burton addressed his past comments and decisions as it relates to Indiana laws regarding the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which in its final version, prohibits providers from using the law as a legal defense for refusing to provide services, goods, facilities or accommodations. It also bars discrimination based on factors that include race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or United States military service. Burton said that one of his missed opportunities from his decades in office has been tackling that topic and it not turning out the way he intended. He voted in favor of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
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Earlier in his life, he was adamantly opposed to gay marriage and gay couples adopting children, he said.
“My interest in that was not to stop that lifestyle,” Burton said. “My interest was having government force us to accept something.”
An example: Government’s efforts to force the public to accept that lifestyle as it relates to which restrooms people use, he said. The issue and decisions are not going away, he said.
He is opposed to special laws or punishments to protect the civil rights of residents who are gay, just as there shouldn’t be certain laws regarding people who are overweight, he said.
The divisiveness in society or racial and sexual orientation issues makes communities more dangerous, and he blames the breakdown of the traditional family headed by a mother and father.
O’Connor had sold his veterinary clinic and found himself semi-retired and closely following the actions of the Indiana General Assembly and becoming increasingly disappointed with its actions, or lack of actions, on many fronts.
“Enough is enough,” O’Connor said. He decided to run for office, and said he has heard from many residents who have felt under-represented and want change, he said.
He characterized the RFRA legislation as a terrible move that was morally and economically wrong and cost the state money, damaged the state economically and embarrassed Hoosiers across the country.
If elected, O’Connor won’t focus on divisive social issues, he said. Legislators should address properly funding education, anticipating and planning infrastructure so the state can attract, retain and expand businesses and grow residents’ stagnant wages.
Burton points to his work behind-the-scenes to help people and make a difference in Hoosier lives as the reason he should be elected. His work to enact a bill requiring schools identify dyslexia among students, offering an In God We Trust license plate and securing Build Indiana money to build Tracy Road are examples, he said.
“In politics, I can help people,” Burton said, citing examples of helping residents navigate the Family and Social Services Administration, Medicaid and the Indiana Department of Revenue.
“I get lots of enjoyment out of that.”
Both candidates want to do away with ISTEP testing. Burton prefers ongoing testing throughout the school year, and will work on the education committee to get the politics out of the Indiana education system.
O’Connor said the legislature has struggled to focus attention on what is important, which is the growth of individual children, because of the amount of money involved in educating schoolchildren, from collecting taxes to operate the schools to paying for statewide standardized testing.
“If we want a test, or to grade schools, it should be based on the growth of the child, not a one-size-fits-all test that you take just two days a year, that stresses everyone out, and the computers don’t work properly,” he said.
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State representative
Duties: Draft and vote on bills that come before the Indiana General Assembly; approve the state’s budget
District 58: Represents most of Greenwood, Whiteland and New Whiteland, extending into the rural area east of those communities
Term: 2 years
Salary: $22,616 per year
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Name: Woody Burton
Party: Republican
Family: Married to wife Volly for 34 years, three adult children, six grandchildren
Education: Graduated from Tech high school
Work: Realtor at Carpenter Realtors
Political experience: Member of the Indiana House of Representatives since 1988; member of the Johnson County Council from 1980-1984
Memberships: Attends Greenwood Christian Church, National Association of Realtors, Indianapolis Board of Realtors, Greenwood Masonic Lodge, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and involved in the Masonic Lodge, Murat and Franklin Shrine Clubs and Scottish Rite, 33rd degree
Residence: Whiteland
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Name: Ed O’Connor
Party: Democrat
Family: Been married to wife Nancy for more than 45 years, three adult children
Education: Graduate of Purdue University
Work: Semi-retired veterinarian after selling his business, the Whiteland Animal Clinic, last year
Political experience: Former member of the Clark-Pleasant school board
Memberships: Indiana and American veterinary medical associations, former president of booster club at Whiteland Community High School, former president of now-defunct BAC (Business and Community Clark-Pleasant Supporters), All Souls Church
Residence: Needham area
Military: U.S. Army veteran
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