As the caucus approaches Thursday, eight candidates have utilized to run for Calumet Township trustee, with the final software obtained half-hour earlier than the deadline.
Sherita Smith, Shanita Starks, Tai Adkins, McKenya Dilworth-Smith, Sharon Chambers, Glenn Johnson, Carol Ann Seaton and Linda Collins Brown are the eight candidates who filed on time, mentioned Jim Wieser, chairman of the Lake Democratic Party County. Applications had been due Monday at 6 p.m., Wieser mentioned.
Gary Common Councilman Darren Washington, D-At Large, had beforehand mentioned he was fascinated with working for the place, however Wieser mentioned Washington by no means utilized. Washington introduced in an announcement Monday that he is not going to run for trustee.
Washington stays dedicated to his function as an advisor, he informed the Post-Tribune, and needs to strengthen the native Democratic Party, particularly after the outcomes of November’s basic election. He additionally mentioned he’s higher in a position to serve the town on the council.
“Our mission stays the identical: safer neighborhoods, instructional alternatives, and selling financial improvement that can lay the muse for lasting prosperity,” Washington’s assertion learn. “As we witness the state of our nationwide politics, it’s extra clear than ever that we should focus our energies on strengthening our native authorities and our native Democratic Party.”
Post-Tribune
Darren Washington speaks throughout a caucus to fill the Gary Common Council at-large seat left vacant when Mike Brown moved to the place of Lake County Clerk in Gary, Indiana, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune)
Gary Carter had beforehand expressed curiosity within the place, however Wieser mentioned he by no means utilized.
Johnson and Seaton didn’t present touch upon their campaigns.
A caucus is to be held after former trustee Kim Robinson resigned from the place.
On Dec. 23, Robinson pleaded responsible in Hammond District Court to a wire fraud cost, which carries a penalty of as much as 20 years in jail. Federal prosecutors mentioned he used $11,200 of metropolis funds to pay lease.
As a part of her plea deal, Robinson resigned as a trustee and chair of the Gary Democratic District. If the deal is accepted, he’ll serve one yr of probation and should repay $11,200, plus an $8,700 high quality, in keeping with Post-Tribune archives.
The trustee place caucus might be held Thursday at 6 p.m. on the Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center, 1900 W. forty first Ave. in Gary. If an elected official had been elected trustee, one other caucus must be held.
Adkins is the one elected official within the race, as he’s president of the Gary Common Council. Adkins is a Gary native and earned a bachelor’s diploma from Purdue University West Lafayette and a grasp’s diploma in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In an announcement Tuesday, Adkins mentioned he desires to deliver his board expertise to the trustee’s workplace. He plans to be fiscally accountable, drive innovation and lead with coronary heart, his assertion mentioned.
Adkins desires to broaden social companies, improve workforce improvement packages and create new alternatives for financial improvement.
“I imagine my background, my dedication to service and my imaginative and prescient for what Calumet Township can turn into make me the fitting individual for this function,” Adkins mentioned. “I’m able to deliver progressive options and a ardour for progress to the trustee’s workplace and am excited concerning the likelihood to work with our group to construct a greater future for us all.”
Smith beforehand informed the Post-Tribune that she has labored within the trustee’s workplace for 10 years and is presently the human sources supervisor. He spent eight years because the workplace’s chief of employees.
If elected, Smith desires to proceed the trustee’s meals pantry program and broaden meals choices, in keeping with Post-Tribune archives. He additionally plans to proceed the college uniform program and the vitality help program.
“I wish to proceed to do the nice work that we have achieved, particularly these final 10 years,” Smith beforehand informed the Post-Tribune. “I imagine I’m one of the best candidate for the place.”
Starks, a neighborhood businesswoman, mentioned she needed to run for trustee as a result of she thinks the group is prepared for change and desires folks with progressive concepts and sources.
Starks has not run for political workplace, however has labored with politicians, together with as the town’s deputy chief of employees. She has labored in a number of industries, Starks mentioned, which she believes will assist her within the trustee place.
If elected trustee, Starks desires to give attention to sources for the homeless inhabitants and create mentorship and internship packages for the township’s residents. He additionally desires to work on self-sufficiency by working a meals pantry and enhancing public transportation.
“I see what our group could be,” Starks mentioned. “I’ll assist construct it wherever I see it. The metropolis is prepared for change and it’s time for us to get up and permit ourselves to start out fielding candidates who’re able to serve.”
Dilworth-Smith, a school member at Ivy Tech Community College, selected to run for trustee as a result of she “has a coronary heart for folks.” In 2006, Dilworth-Smith ran towards former state Rep. Charlie Brown for her seat.
If elected, Dilworth-Smith desires the workplace to conduct forensic audits and maintain open communication with the general public. He desires to spend money on self-sustainability and work to make the township extra economically solvent.
Transparency might be a key focus for Dilworth-Smith if she is elected.
“People in Gary have to really feel like their elected officers and individuals who maintain public workplace should not working beneath one other algorithm,” Dilworth-Smith mentioned. “The guidelines apply to all of us and we must always comply with them accordingly.”
Chambers, a neighborhood enterprise proprietor, mentioned she has been contacted by group members concerning the location and that the run fulfills a private mission to enhance Gary’s high quality of life. She mentioned she has been upset with the trustee’s workplace lately.
If elected, Chambers wish to broaden the workplace’s present packages, together with people who assist youngsters throughout the college yr and group members with lease. It focuses on serving to the wants of the underprivileged, Chambers mentioned.
“The function of the workplace is to serve folks in want,” he added. “I’m simply fascinated with serving my group.”
Collins Brown, a former social companies director and psychological well being case supervisor, mentioned she desires to proceed assembly the wants of the group. Collins Brown served as a precinct committeeman and ran for Calumet Township councilmember within the May 2022 Democratic main.
If elected, Collins Brown will need to present companies to deprived youth and households within the township, she mentioned. Collins Brown mentioned he desires group organizations to companion with Calumet Township to offer wanted companies.
“I need folks to know the place they will get companies from,” Collins Brown mentioned. “The Calumet Township workplace is a type of locations the place folks can come and get help with housing, utilities and different companies.”
Johnson was appointed to the Gary Community School Corporation board by Mayor Eddie Melton in January 2024. He beforehand served as president of the Lake Ridge School Board.
Seaton misplaced a race for Lake County Assessor in 2010 amid a residency dispute over why he had licenses in each Indiana and Michigan and his automotive — with the self-importance license plate SEAT0N — was registered to a vacant lot deal with at Union Pier, Michigan. His Indiana driver’s license was suspended and he needed to show his residency. She was the primary Democrat to lose to a Republican, Hank Adams, in a race for statewide workplace because the Nineteen Fifties. He additionally caucused for seats on Gary Council and Lake County Council.
Post-Tribune archives contributed.
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
