Two candidates for Union Township trustee are focused on serving the community and improving the upkeep of local cemeteries.
Republican incumbent Annette Barr is challenged by Democrat Jana Chain, a Lilly technical oversight and logistics employee, for the Union Township trustee position.
A township trustee mainly handles requests from families in need. Trustees are also responsible for the upkeep of local cemeteries and fire services.
Barr, the current trustee, said she wants run for re-election to continue to serve the township to the best of her abilities.
"I enjoy helping people out," Barr said. "I’m a people person. I enjoy being around everybody."
Chain has lived in the township for years, she said. While watching a local cemetery decay behind her house for years, she decided she should do something and run for the trustee office. Chain said other local cemeteries are not maintained either.
"That’s part of our historical heritage," she said. "It should be cleaned up, it should be fenced in and it should be respected."
A goal of Barr’s is to also improve the cemetery maintenance if she is re-elected.
"Look into all of the cemeteries and try to make sure that they’re all taken care of." Barr said. "Just make sure none of them are left uncared for."
One of Barr’s other goals is to improve the roles of the trustee and making sure all the rules and regulations are met.
After spending 28 years living in the township, Barr said the community is comfortable with her.
"My kids grew up in the township. My husband grew up in Union Township." Barr said. "It’s kind of one of those things where it’s kind of like a family."
Chain said if she is elected, she wants to take a look at the way tasks are getting done and find ways to improve those processes to better help the community, especially those in need of assistance.
She wants to look at what is not getting done under the trustee’s responsibilities, starting with the cemetery care.
"I know I’m harping on one thing, but that is the reason I decided to run as an awareness factor," Chain said. "If that’s not getting done, then what else isn’t."
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Annette Barr” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Party: Republican
Residence: Franklin
Family: Married to Vince Barr; three children
Education: Graduated from Center Grove High School in 1984. Attended Four Star Beauty College.
Work: Beauty shop manager at Otterbein Franklin Senior Living Community.
Past political experience: Current Union Township trustee
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Jana Chain” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Party: Democrat
Residence: Bargersville
Family: Single with three children
Education: Graduated from Columbus East High School. Attended Ball State University.
Work: Technical oversight and logistics employee at Lilly.
Past political experience: None
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the job” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Union Township Trustee
Geographical area covered: Union Township; Bargersville area
Duties: Handle township funds, assist families in need financially, upkeep local cemeteries and fire department services.
Term: Four years
Salary: Last year, the Union Township trustee received a salary of $6,000.
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