Kirk Works: Town Council
Kirk Works is seeking his second term on the Vevay Town Council. He is a Republican, and earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a bachelor of science degree in computer information systems from the University of Evansville.
He is a member of the Vevay-Switzerland County Lions Club; Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning; the Swiss Wine Festival; and the Indiana State Festivals Association.
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1) What are your qualifications for the position that you are seeking?
I have served on the Town Council for the past four years. I have work experience dealing with finance, budgeting, auditing, projects and management issues. I have served on several other boards in the past. I have a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.S. in Computer Information Systems both from the University of Evansville.
2) In your opinion, what is the single major issue that needs to be addressed by your office?
Continue to work on building and upgrading the infrastructure in town. This includes upgrades to water lines, sewer mains and lift stations and new storm water drains. Maintaining and upgrading equipment, buildings and vehicles is another important issue. We have made lots of progress in this area, but there is still more work at needs to be done.
3) How would you work to fix that issue?
We need to develop both short and long term capital improvement plans, timelines and budgets. This will ensure that projects are well planned, designed and managed along with Riverboat money allocated to complete these capital projects. I would also like to continue to save 10-percent of all Riverboat money received. This will allow the town to continue to build up a “Rainy Day Fund” for the future.
4) If elected, what differences will people see in your office with you there? How will things change?
We need to look at ways to improve communications with the town’s residents about what is happening with the town’s business. I would also like to update all the town’s ordinances and policies and put some meaningful enforcement behind those ordinances.
Jamie Hayes: Town Council
Jamie Hayes is seeking his fourth term on the Vevay Town Council. A Democrat, he is a graduate of Switzerland County High School, and has served as the President of the Vevay-Switzerland County Little League for 11 years. He is a former board member of the Switzerland County YMCA, and the Community Foundation of Switzerland County. He has two children: Kollin and Leigh.
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1) What are your qualifications for the position that you are seeking?
I have 12 years of experience on the Vevay Town Council. I am level-headed and importantly – I work well with others.
2) In your opinion, what is the single major issue that needs to be addressed by your office?
I believe that a major issue is continuing on with the water drainage program; as well as upgrades and repairs to the water plant. Overall, I feel that we need to continue to look at infrastructure repairs.
3) How would you work to fix that issue?
I would work together with other board members and engineers to continue to make and implement plans.
4) If elected, what differences will people see in your office with you there? How will things change?
That really depends on who gets on the town council with you.
Pete Furnish: Town Council
Charles “Pete” Furnish is a Democrat seeking another term on the Vevay Town Council, having served a total of 14 years in the past. He is a graduate of Vevay High School; and served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He worked for 35 years as a machinist, and has served on the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission for 21 years and on the Southeastern Indiana Solid Waste District for 14 years. He is a lay leader in the Methodist Church; and has two daughters: Rahe Jean and Kaulene; four grandchildren: Ryan, Leslie, Brenna, and Kyle; and three great-grandchildren: Cloe, Audrey, and Tucker.
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1) What are your qualifications for the position that you are seeking?
I have 14 years previous service on the Vevay Town Council and am knowledgeable about every aspect of the town’s operations. I was instrumental in securing grants and funding for a variety of projects, and I understand the grant process. In addition, I developed and maintained a network of contacts that I can call on for their expertise. I have the time and energy to devote to the daily operation and am easily accessible to the community.
For 14 years I served on the Solid Waste Board. For 21 years I have served on the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Board, with eight years as vice chair of the board.
2) In your opinion, what is the single major issue that needs to be addressed by your office?
I am very concerned about the Streetscape project and its impact on the town’s finances. Current plans call for committing the town’s reserve funds from the sale of the shoe factory; the funding from Belterra; and securing up to a substantial loan on the Friendship Bank. This would leave the town with no reserves for emergencies. I understand there is the possibility of a $250,000 grant which would be added to the project, but the bulk of the financing would come from the town’s reserves.
3) How would you work to fix that issue?
I would break this project into stages, beginning with the most items, like lighting, pavers, and street work. As finances become available, I would move forward with the next stage of the project. This would be less of a burden on the town financially. Also, I would seek additional grant monies for each stage of the project.
4) If elected, what differences will people see in your office with you there? How will things change?
I will be visible on a daily basis and work to make the day to day operations more efficient and productive. I will participate in and represent Vevay at regional and statewide meetings to insure the needs of the town and citizens are met.
Keith Smith: Town Council
Keith Smith is seeking to return to the Vevay Town Council, having served one term four years ago. The Democrat is a graduate of Switzerland County High School; and is a past member of the Vevay-Switzerland County Little League; the executive board of Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning; and the Swiss Wine Festival board. He has a daughter, Trisha.
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1) What are your qualifications for the position that you are seeking?
I have served one term on the town council. I have served on other boards. I also have work-related management experience.
2) In your opinion, what is the single major issue that needs to be addressed by your office?
I feel we need to appropriate the funds of the town in a way that benefits the whole town and its citizens. I feel we have strayed from that to an extent.
3) How would you work to fix that issue?
I would work with the other members of the town council to better distribute the funds coming into the town.
4) If elected, what differences will people see in your office with you there? How will things change?
I feel that I work hard to see all sides of each issue and give a fair and honest decision. I feel that the council needs to work closely with other boards to help the town and county grow.
Josh South: Town Council
Josh South is a Republican seeking his first term on the Vevay Town Council. He is a 2001 graduate of Switzerland County High School; and a 2005 graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington with a bachelor of science degree in computer science with a minor in business. He serves on the LEPC board; and the Switzerland County Community Foundation grants committee. He and his wife, Thera, have three children: Brayden, Emma, and Liam.
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1) What are your qualifications for the position that you are seeking?
Professionally my experiences as a software engineer have exposed me to the worlds of finance and manufacturing. I have worked in industries that have allowed me to become familiar with accounting principles as well as continuous process improvement initiatives. More importantly, I believe the most qualifying factor is I have a true investment in the success and future of the community, having three small children that will grow up in the community.
2) In your opinion, what is the single major issue that needs to be addressed by your office?
The majority of individuals in town that I have spoken with are extremely worried about the dependency on riverboat money and how it is currently being spent. I plan to examine the town’s dependency on this money, and how a reduction in the future could affect the community.
3) How would you work to fix that issue?
I believe the first step is a thorough examination of the riverboat money that is received each year and do some forecasting to see how a possible reduction in these funds could truly affect the Town of Vevay. Additionally, I am a strong believer in “have to” versus “want to”; “have to” before “want to” always!
4) If elected, what differences will people see in your office with you there? How will things change?
Make sure that the community stays informed of the decisions that are being made by their elected officials. This means getting the minutes posted in the newspaper and the creation of a new online environment. I will likely make mistakes and I will likely make decisions that not everyone will agree with, but I can promise you that if elected I will always do what I believe is in the best interest of the town as a collective.