Friday, December 31, 2010

Swearing In Ceremony



Wednesday I had the pleasure to attend the swearing in ceremony for all the recently elected (and re-elected) township and county officials in Boone County, conducted by newly-appointed Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steve David. As an added bonus, Judge Jeff Edens was officially sworn in as Boone County's new Circuit Court Judge. My congratulations go out to all these public servants, as well as my thanks for their willingness to serve our community. We are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated gorup of people who are willing to step forward and do their part to make Boone County a better place to live. Thank you!

In the pictures: County officials (l-r) Clerk Penny Bogan, Councillor Steve Jacob, Assessor Lisa Garrofolo, Councillor Gene Thompson, Councillor Butch Smith, Sheriff Ken Campbell, Councillor Brent Wheat, Commissioner Marc Applegate; Justice Steven David swearing in the newly-elected officials.

About the County Council

The County Council approves the county budget, sets the tax rate, borrows money, makes appropriations of funds and is responsible for county employee salaries, among other things. Essentially, the County Commissioners are the executive branch of county government, setting most policies and making decisions on issues as they arise, while the County Council is more like the legislative branch, approving those decisions (or not) and finding a way to pay for them.The Council has seven members, one representing each of four geographic districts and three at-large members. (I am one of the at-large seats, so wherever you live in Boone County, I am your representative.) Members serve four-year terms. Every voter is represented by a majority of the Council members: one member from the voter's district, plus three at-large members.

About Me

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Lebanon, IN, United States
I am a life-long resident of Boone County and a 1989 graduate of Western Boone High School. My wife Rylin and I, along with our children Matthew and Laura, live southwest of Lebanon on the old family dairy farm that has been in my family nearly 70 years. I am a graduate of Purdue University, and for the past 20+ years have taught history, government and English at Zionsville High School. I have a Master's degree in American Studies from Purdue and am working -- slowly -- toward a Master of Public Affairs degree at IUPUI. Before being elected to the County Council in 2008, I served six years on the Jackson Township Board, having first been elected in 2002. I also serve as the Council's representative on the board of the Boone County Economic Development Corporation.