A crowded field of candidates is aiming for a spot on the Prince’s Lakes Town Council.
Six candidates are vying for five open seats, hoping to represent the small community in southwest Johnson County. The two incumbents in the race are Republican Greg Nelson, who has served on the council since 2013, and Republican Bryan Tearman who was elected last year via caucus after former council member Troy Meadows left. Both were among the top-five vote-getters in May’s primary election.
Challengers Charlie Bourne, Kevin Harrison and Lindsey Kelly — all Republicans — also moved on from the primary. Independent Catherine Gleason filed to run over the summer.
The Daily Journal asked the candidates their top priorities for the town, what they think could be improved and their motivation for running. Phone calls and emails to Kelly, Nelson and Tearman were not returned; their responses come from interviews conducted prior to the primary election in May.
Charlie Bourne
With 16 total years on the Prince’s Lakes Town Council, Bourne has ample experience leading the community. He served on the council from 1999 to 2007, and again from 2011 to 2019.
When he was defeated for a seat on the council in 2019, he figured he’d step away and let others step up. But Bourne feels he still has more to offer.
“I knew there were a couple of council members who weren’t going to run again. I wanted to continue what they’re doing, and what they’ve set up with the new water company building and enhancement to the parks, so nothing falls behind,” he said. “I have no problems with what they’re doing. If everyone was still running, I wouldn’t have run.”
If elected, Bourne intends to carry on progress made in extending and maintaining water lines around the town, as well as update the sewer plant.
“We want to continue doing what the council is doing and keep the town in the right position to keep moving forward, and stay financially where we are — above water,” he said.
Catherine Gleason
Prince’s Lakes has special meaning to Gleason. She’s lived in the town for six years, and wants to ensure its beauty is maintained for the entire community.
That motivated to file as an independent candidate in the summer.
“This is my home. This is where my family is. It has my heart,” she said.
An account manager for RethinkBH, Gleason has acquired experience with community service, finances and leadership — skills that will be useful as Prince’s Lakes navigates future growth.
“I have over 28 years of experience working with different foundations in all aspects of business, as well as giving back to communities besides just Prince’s Lakes,” she said.
If elected, Gleason would like to focus on continuing to improve assets such as the town park, as well as maintaining the preservation of natural resources around the town’s bodies of water. She would also like to improve safe pedestrian walkways for residents.
“I want to focus on people of this town, and their needs. I want to be there for the families of Prince’s Lakes and continue to help others,” she said.
Kevin Harrison
In the 41 years Harrison has lived in Prince’s Lakes, he has served on town boards including the board of zoning appeals and the plan commission.
In his experience, the town’s zoning ordinance is outdated.
“The zoning ordinances we have in this small town date back to the late ’80s, early ’90s. It’s time for an update,” he said.
One of the foremost concerns he hears from local residents are the proliferation of Airbnb rentals and similar rental properties around the town on lakefronts.
“Lake associations don’t want it, but the only ones who have lake rights are the ones who live on that specific lake,” he said. “It’s something that needs to be addressed. Right now, nothing is being addressed.”
Other priorities for Harrison include making sure town council meetings are available to be viewed from home, instead of having to attend in person. Most other towns in the area are doing it; Prince’s Lakes should be as well, he said.
His experience in the town over four decades makes him an ideal candidate for office.
“I‘ve got experience with the town for several years. I guess I’m one of the elder people running for office this year,” he said.
Lindsey Kelly
After serving as Prince’s Lakes deputy clerk-treasurer, Kelly said before the May primary that she wanted to serve in a new way.
If elected, she pointed to top priorities including lowering water bills and making sure residents understand the calculations that go into the water and sewer rates. She also wanted to make sure there is enough funding and support for the town’s police department.
To improve the quality of life in the town, Kelly said she would work with other members of the town council to plan events for residents.
“I think number one is just to be a voice for the town’s residents, young and old, whether they’re new to the community or lived here their entire life,” Kelly said in April. “I also want to give Prince’s Lakes a reason to be special other than the lakes. A lot of residents don’t have access to the lakes and we can create community events to keep the community together and update the parks for all to enjoy.”
Greg Nelson
Nelson has served on the town council for nine years and was named council president in 2020. He was inspired to run for office because of his 29 years as a Franklin firefighter, which motivated him to do what he could to help others.
During his time in the office, the town has completed a sewer and water system upgrade. This year, a basketball court will be constructed in the park near the town council building.
Prior to the primary election in May, Nelson said if he were elected, he hoped to expand the water lines and increase the number of fire hydrants to accommodate more people, a project he said the town has already applied for a grant for and is working with Camp Atterbury officials on.
He would also want to increase recreational opportunities by expanding the town’s walking trails, he said in the spring.
Brian Tearman
Tearman, a one-year incumbent, currently serves as a supervisor for Duke Energy. His three decades of experience in utilities can pay dividends for the town, he said in April.
“I can help make improvements to the sewer bills. I’m the only person on the council who has experience running utilities,” Tearman said prior to the primary election. “I want to continue the expansion of utilities so we can secure more revenue for the future of the town and keep our rates low.”
Tearman also said the town will benefit from the new basketball court being built this year at Town Hall Park and the town council also has a goal of lengthening a trail behind the town hall. If elected, Tearman said he would look to continue improvements in the town’s parks, including building a new playground and ballfields.
The Kelly File
Name: Lindsey Kelly
Party: Republican
Family: Unmarried, two children
Occupation: Camp Atterbury Garrison Command Executive Assistant
Educational background: Franklin Community High School
Political experience: First-time candidate
The Tearman File
Name: Bryan Tearman
Party: Republican
Family: Unmarried, two children
Occupation: Supervisor with Duke Energy
Educational background: Indian Creek High School, Indiana Unversity Bloomington, IUPUI
Political experience: Prince’s Lakes Town Council, partial-term
The Nelson File
Name: Gregory Nelson
Party: Republican
Family: Wife Leah, two children
Occupation: Johnson County Director of Weights and Measures
Educational background: Danville High School
Political experience: Prince’s Lakes Town Council, three-term incumbent
The Harrison File
Name: Kevin Harrison
Party: Republican
Age: 64
Family: Wife, Karen, two children
Occupation: Retired, previously worked for Johnson County Highway Department as truck driver, bridge foreman and operations supervisor
Educational background: Franklin Community High School, Indiana State University
Political experience: Prince’s Lakes Town Council 1990-94
Board service: 12 years on Princes Lakes Plan Commission, 13 years on Prince’s Lakes Board of Zoning Appeals
About the job
What: Prince’s Lakes Town Council At-Large
Term: Four years
Pay: $4,200 a year (2022)
Duties: Set annual spending for the town, adopt local rules and ordinances, appoint members to various town boards
The Gleason File
Name: Catherine Gleason
Party: Independent
Age: 43
Family: Husband, Christopher Fouch, three children, two stepchildren
Occupation: Account manager, RethinkBH
Educational background: Thomas Carr Howe High School and Arsenal Technical High School; Indiana Wesleyan University
Political experience: None
Memberships: INSource, Imagination Library, SixSigma
The Bourne File
Name: Charlie Bourne
Party: Republican
Age: 79
Family: Wife Susie; seven grown children
Occupation: Retired
Educational background: Warren Central High School
Political experience: Member of Prince’s Lakes Town Council 1999-2007, 2011-2019.
Memberships: Veteran of U.S. Air Force
