ST. JOSEPH COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT I
The County Council of St. Joseph County has been constituted to pass any and all ordinances and resolutions including those for taxation, finance and the appropriation of money and to oversee the operation of the government of this County.
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Tami Springer
(Dem)
What experiences and skills qualify you to be on the county council? Please be specific.
What are your top two priorities as county council member if elected? Why these?
After the EV battery plant was announced last year, more companies showed interest in commercial development near New Carlisle. How should the county weigh potential job growth versus some residents’ concerns for preserving their small town and its rural character? What specific actions do you propose to promote and retain good jobs there and elsewhere in St. Joseph County?
Do you support a new low-barrier homeless intake center in St. Joseph County? If not, why not? If so, what role, if any, should the county play in funding the new center and where should it be?
Do you support the current model of electing a county council from 9 geographic districts or should the council be elected with 4 districts and 3 countywide as they are in 89 of 92 counties? If you advocate keeping districts, who should draw the district boundaries?
How well did the county do in evaluating and handling the closure of Portage Manor as the county home for people with disabilities and mental illness? Is there anything you would do differently today?
How committed are you to conducting the public’s business transparently so residents can offer meaningful feedback before decisions are made? How will you solicit resident feedback, and do you commit to follow guidance from Indiana’s Public Access Counselor on open meetings and public records?
Spring 2024 Candidate Video:
Occupation/Current Position
Copy editor - University of Notre Dame
Education
Master's Degree in Business
Candidate video
I was born and raised in St. Joe County, as were my parents. I raised my 7 children here and my roots run deep within the local community. I grew up in my district and attended Penn Schools. I have a master's degree in business and a work history spanning 42 years at Notre Dame.
There are many important issues, but I would say the things most on my mind currently are the libraries, housing for the homeless, and mental health services.
Job growth is important, but no project should be approved until the local residents have been consulted and their concerns addressed. The citizens in our community should always have a voice and feel that their opinions matter.
Yes, I support the low-barrier homeless center. It would get people off the streets who don't qualify for other housing. I would need to do more research about locations, but the local residents who are impacted should have a voice in that decision.
I think the current model is better. Each council person should represent the district where they live. Boundaries should be drawn by a nonpartisan body to accurately reflect the population in each area.
In my opinion, Portage Manor should not have been closed, but renovated and restored instead. Not just because of the historical significance of the building itself, but also because of the stress caused by the disruption in the lives of its residents who had to relocate. This falls squarely under my campaign slogan, which is "leadership with community at the heart." Caring for our neighbors should be the top priority, and the decision to close Portage Manor was not in their best interests.
I am absolutely committed to transparency in government. The concerns of residents should always be listened to and understood before decisions are made. I am not the type to hide from the public or make decisions behind closed doors. Our democracy thrives when the people have a voice.
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