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Vanderburgh County Center Township Board Member {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

The County is broken up into taxing districts known as townships. Vanderburgh County is separated into eight townships. The township is governed by two distinct elected offices. Day to day operations are managed by the Trustee, who serves as the executive of the Township while oversight and advice is provided by a three member Township Board, who serve as the Township’s legislative body.The trustee is assisted by a three-member Township Board whose members are elected to four year terms. Duties of the board include adopting the annual budget, serving as a board of finance and approving township contracts. In January of each year, the trustee presents to the board an annual report showing the receipts, expenditures, investments and debts of the township. The approved report is then published in local papers for public inspection.

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    Thomas Gant
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    THOMAS J. SHETLER, III
    (Rep)

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    J Ervin Stafford StuckI
    (Rep)

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    James F Tolen
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

Explain the role of a Township Board Member.

What training, experience, and characteristics qualify you for this position?

What are your top two priorities as Board Member if you are (re)elected in 2026?

What is the most important challenge facing your township and how will you meet this challenge?

What is one other thing you want voters to know about you before they cast their 2026 ballots?

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Campaign Phone 8124995586
Campaign Email tombgant@gmail.com
An Advisory board member oversees and works with the Trustee to provide support for the township residents. We oversee and approve the financial needs of the low income constituents. We also support the Trustee in personnel staffing and procedures. In addition, our Township supports a Voluntary Fire Department. We are responsible for contracting for fire protection and funding the majority of the financial needs for proper fire protection to that set of residents.
Serving in several leadership positions working with other voluntary board members has been an asset to my service as an Advisory board member. I have had the opportunity to set budgets and managed volunteers in youth baseball and youth soccer programs. In addition I have served in leadership roles as a board member for a private school and church organization.
Support the Trustee and staff in providing for the needs of the most needed in our township. To work closely with the voluntary fire department making sure they have the necessary training and equipment for superior fire protection.
Funding for both the needy and fire department. Communication with the constituents so they know hat resources are available.
I have the experience and a heart to serve my community.
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Campaign Phone 812-746-0385
Campaign Email jftolen@yahoo.com
Townships are responsible for the welfare of needy citizens, and fire protection outside of the city limits. Board members approve budgets, monitor fire protection, and approve policies of the Trustee.
I am a retired licensed professional with 40 years of business experience, retiring from an international corporation with a varied experience in business affairs. I have lived in Center Township for 34 years..
We have already completed the budget process, implementation of annual policies, secured fire protection outside of the city limits for 2026, including the oversight of the purchase of a new fire truck to be delivered later this Spring. We have surveyed the boundaries of the Negley Cemetery on Weaver Road, and are preparing to perform maintenance of the surface, including leveling of graves, seeding and mulching all areas, and locating missing headstones.
We are concerned about the cities' implementation of ambulance service, and it's possible impacts on ambulance service in the Township. We currently use AMR.
I am a respected citizen of Vanderburgh County w with a wealth of business and life experiences.
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