Three Republicans and a Democrat are vying for three at-large seats on the Johnson County Council.
The seven-member board oversees the county’s finances, including how much should be spent on sheriff’s deputies to patrol neighborhoods and streets, and projects to repave and rebuild local roads, and sets tax rates. Those elected to these seats will represent the entire county.
Republican incumbent John Myers, 54, of Trafalgar, is seeking a third term on the council, while other candidates are seeking to replace council members Josh Turner and Josh McCarty, who chose not to seek re-election.
The three newcomers to the race are life-long Johnson County residents who live in Greenwood: Ron Deer (R), 70; Melinda Griesemer (R), 48, and Amanda Stevenson-Holmes (D), 44.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Click here to purchase photos from this galleryAll four candidates are involved in local politics.
Myers, a Greenwood police officer, was first elected to his at-large seat in 2012.
Deer, a retired management professional, was a long-time Greenwood City Council member, who served for six elected terms and helped shape the city as a member of its redevelopment commission.
Griesemer, a nurse and small business owner, ran previously for a statehouse seat via caucus but was not selected.
Stevenson-Holmes, a Butler professor and public relations professional, has never run for office.
Each candidates’ priorities are different, but they all say their skills would help the county grow.
Deer’s top priorities include improved collaboration between the county and its cities and towns, monitoring more closely the impact of Interstate 69, and growing initiatives that bring economic development and tourism to the county.
For Griesemer, ensuring law and order by making sure the sheriff’s office has adequate funding, supporting small businesses and making sure the county keeps up with infrastructure needs are top of the list.
Myers’ goals for another term are maintaining road infrastructure, planning a new building and expanded services for community corrections and keeping up with the county’s public safety needs.
For Stevenson-Holmes, looking at best practices to spend the county’s money more wisely, removing roadblocks to economic development while protecting the environment, and providing adequate funding for both public health and safety are her top priorities.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the job” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Johnson County Council At-Large
Represents: All of Johnson County
Duties: Approving the county budget, including how many sheriff’s deputies will patrol the roads and how much should be spent on road projects. Approves any new or increased taxes, such as the wheel tax on vehicle registrations or an increased local income tax for expenses related to the jail or public safety.
Term: 4 years
Salary: $8,594 (2019)
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Deer File” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Ron Deer
Party: Republican
Age: 70
Residence: Greenwood
Family: Adult daughter
Occupation: Management
Education: IUPUI, 1971
Memberships: None
Military Experience: None
Political experience: Greenwood City Council, 1987 to 2011
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Griesemer File” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Melinda Griesemer
Party: Republican
Age: 48
Residence: Greenwood
Family: Daughter
Occupation: Owner/Director of Indianapolis Medical Consulting
Education: Purdue University, 1993 and 2017
Memberships: National Rifle Association, Mary Bryan Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, Johnson County Republican Women
Military Experience: None
Political experience: Ran in 2019 caucus to replace Rep. David Frizzell in Indiana House District 93; precinct committeeperson; state convention delegate
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Myers File” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: John Myers
Party: Republican
Age: 54
Residence: Trafalgar
Family: Wife, son and daughter
Occupation: Greenwood police officer
Education: Greenwood Community High School, 1985
Memberships: Johnson County Republican Women’s Club, Johnson County G.O.P., Association of Indiana Counties
Military Experience: None
Political experience: Johnson County Council member since 2012
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Stevenson-Holmes File” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Amanda Stevenson-Holmes
Party: Democrat
Age: 44
Residence: Greenwood
Family: Husband, Matt; no children
Occupation: Butler University professor; vice president, Communications Redefined
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Franklin College; Master of Business Administration, Indiana Wesleyan University
Memberships: Johnson County Democratic Party, Secretary; Leadership Johnson County at Franklin College, Class of 2019; Public Relations Society of America, Hoosier Chapter, member; Nussbaum Society, member; Indianapolis Zoo
Military experience: None
Political experience: Precinct committeeperson
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”COMING UP” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
For a more in-depth look at the priorities and views of each candidate, see individual Where They Stand interviews that will run each day this week, including videos at dailyjournal.net.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
