Compton
HOPE – Three Republicans are competing in the May primary for their party’s nomination to run for two at-large seats on the Hope Town Council.
The incumbent is Clyde Compton, 68, who served two terms on the council from 1995 to 2002. After 12 years away from local politics, Compton won his third term on the council in 2014, and is now completing his fourth term.
Compton is being challenged by Shanon Pittman, 43, who works as food service director at the Flatrock-Hawcreek School Corp. Pittman is part of a growing constituency that is seeking new and improved sidewalks from the town to the campus that houses Hope Elementary and Hauser Jr.-Sr. High schools.
The third GOP candidate is Indiana Custom Fabrication President Stephanie Long, who is perhaps best known in northeast Bartholomew County as co-founder of the Student’s Fund of Hope. Founded in 2018, the organization raises money to pay for school-related expenses for Hope-area children from disadvantaged families.
Long was invited to participate in this forum and acknowledged receiving the request. However, she did not submit the requested information.
The two candidates with the most primary votes will compete against Democratic incumbent Jerry Bragg in the November general election.
Q: What do you hope to achieve over the next four years if elected as an at-large council member?
Compton: To continue to help the town advance into the future. Small towns especially cannot remain passive for long and expect to prosper. Also, we must form a solid foundation for future generations.
Pittman: In the next four years, I would like to have plans in place for continued growth and development of the Historical Town Square and Community Center. These locations give back to our families and have been overlooked for many years. I would love to see small businesses begin moving into vacant locations such as a coffee shop, smoothie bar, barber, sports resale shop and increase foot traffic of all ages to experience our hometown hospitality.
Q: What do you believe is the most important investment the town council can make with public funds over the next two years?
Compton: I do not believe there is a single most important investment. Remember this town is 192 years old this year, which means there are many needs. We need to identify all those and spend what we can afford that is most beneficial to as many citizens – no matter where that may be.
Pittman: Sidewalks would give students the ability to walk or bike to school safely. I would have loved for my children to have ridden their bikes to school when they were young and excited to be “big kids,” but it just isn’t a safe situation for young riders and young drivers to share the same road. I have witnessed students walking in snow drifts and mud to make sure they stay a safe distance from vehicles on the road. Sidewalks would also provide the opportunity for families to have safe mobility with young children in strollers. We live in a very walkable town, and it would be great to see us give the community the opportunity to do so.
Q: Some council members say out-of-county training for the Hope town manager benefits the entire community, while others said the manager should remain accessible in town. What is your stand on this issue?
Compton: I agree that the majority of the town manager’s time should be spent in town. But I also realize that opportunity does not look you up. You must look it up.
Pittman: Training is essential in all positions if your goal is continued improvement. Trainings should have proper planning, and coverage to limit disruptions to job duties and community expectations.
