Education
Bachelor of Arts degree
Occupation
Retired
The board of the Township supports the Trustee in her duties of providing assistance and support to the community.
I want to know my neighbors better, understand the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis and be able to assist them in any way possible.
The board continually monitors the financial resources and the needs of the community. In the past year, we have completed a beautiful community center that can be used by residents of the Township, as well as added a food pantry for anyone who needs assistance in feeding themselves, and/or their family. We will also be adding a community garden.
The Trustee’s telephone number is monitored 24/7, enabling us to provide emergency services to those affected by a sudden fire or other situation. We recently coordinated 100 volunteers to help clean up the neighborhood severely affected by the tornado that ripped through the Township a couple weeks ago.
Education
BA in History, Masters of Theological Studies, PhD in Religious Studies
Occupation
Sr. Associate Director of Academic Advising, IU College of Arts & Sciences
The Township Board is the fiscal and legislative body of the Township. In this regard, it is akin to a city council and the Trustee is similar to a mayor as the Executive of the Township. This means the Board must adopt the annual budget, set salaries for all Township employees and elected officials, and approve resolutions to establish policies for the Township. Additionally, the Board acts as a consultative body for the Trustee to help think through ideas and initiatives.
I am currently finishing my second term on the Board. My fundamental motivation remains the same – to help the Township best serve the residents of Van Buren. I am interested in focusing Township resources where they promise to do the most good for residents as well as to be a resource myself for residents when they are unsure where to turn when they need help navigating local government and services. Over the years, I have helped connect residents with officials in both County and City government as well as some non-profits. This can be for matters big, like a person dealing with flooding, and seemingly small, as when I helped a retired person get her mailbox replaced when a road crew accidentally destroyed it.
Some of my priorities for a third term include expanding on our partnership with the Monroe Fire Protection District to enhance EMS and fire protection services for our residents, complete the planned community garden project, and to enhance partnerships with other local entities to maximize services in fiscally prudent ways. The Township is a facing a real shift in its budget model. Two laws passed in 2025, SEA 1 and HEA 1461, changed township finances by reducing property tax revenue and ending a guaranteed share of local income taxes. The Trustee and Board worked in 2025 on a multi-year capital improvement plan to make further progress within our fiscal means, building on our recent launch of our food pantry and community center.
The Township can support people dealing with emergency needs on a short-term basis. When residents, for example, are unexpectedly unable to remain in their homes, such as from a house fire, a tornado, or flooding, the Township can help put them up for on a short-term basis. The Trustee works closely with the local Red Cross and other charities and service providers. These agencies usually help after that initial support from the Township to get people into a stable situation longer-term. The Township also works to support residents by connecting people to the right governmental service or local agency when the Township is unable to directly meet the needs of people affected by natural disasters and destructive events.
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