Abstract newspaper in a fluid shape, 3d rendering
HOPE — Three candidates are competing for two at-large seats on the Hope Town Council. However, there has been a significant change on the ballot since the primary.
After edging out long-time incumbent Clyde Compton during the primary, fellow Republican Stephanie Long dropped out of the race after moving away from Hope on Sept. 14. Two days later, GOP leaders submitted the name of Herby Asher as Long’s replacement. Employed by a local manufacturer, Asher is well-known for coaching a variety of youth softball teams in Hope.
While Compton requested that his name be placed on the fall ballot, he said party officials denied that request since he came in third during the GOP primary.
In addition to Asher, candidates Shanon Pittman, a Republican, and Jerry Bragg, a Democrat incumbent, are seeking the seats.
Voters will select two candidates in this race, from the three who are on the ballot.
Q: In the years after mandatory trash service was put into effect, the council has passed a number of ordinances regulating unsightly items on lawn, parking of certain vehicles, nuisance laws. Are there too many new ordinances, about the right number of ordinances, or do we need more?
Asher: I think we have the right amount. It’s all a good effort to help beautify the town and make it more attractive to those new to Hope. It helps property values, and has been a real win-win for everybody. The ordinances reflect changes that were long overdue and needed to be addressed.
Pittman: I would need to see all the details, but I believe if they were all passed for public safety, they are justified.
Bragg: I think we have the right amount of ordinances at this point. Sometimes you have to put an ordinance into place to keep the town in the best possible condition. We don’t want trash everywhere. We just want people to take pride in their home and in their yards. Hope is a wonderful place to live and visit, so we just want to keep the community in good shape.
Q: How much and what kind of economic development do you advocate for Hope? What kind of companies and jobs would you like to attract to Hope?
Asher: I’d like to see a diverse group of companies. Perhaps some small manufacturing. We’ve grown a bit since I was a teenager. We now have an industrial park with a number of businesses. Definitely we need more entertainment venues or restaurants that provide a better selection and improve the quality of life. If we can take care of water concerns, I think we can attract more jobs.
Pittman: I would prefer not to have conglomerate businesses in our community. I’d like to see more independent businesses downtown. Some examples would be small indoor-outdoor coffee shops, smoothie shops and attractions that families can walk downtown and enjoy.
Bragg: Since I’ve been on the council, one of my goals has been to work to provide the community with what it needs. I’m thankful we now have a pharmacy now, and I want more businesses. But the pandemic, as well as the small size of the town, made it hard to attract businesses. We need more manufacturing jobs and I’d also like more restaurants and a family-oriented attraction. But I don’t want to become another Columbus. I just want what the town needs.
Q: If elected, what would your priorities be for the next four years?
Asher: To help our town grow. We have a pretty good foundation that has been put forward by previous council members. We need to keep building upon that. Now, our town took a bit of a hit by COVID-19 and we lost some businesses. I want to see the community grow and flourish while still maintaining the small town feel enjoyed by many residents. My wife and I loved that ‘small town’ feel growing up here, and we want that for our kids. I also want to serve as a voice for the people of the town.
Pittman: To build more sidewalks and improve accessibility. We have some students who would like to ride bicycles to school, but it’s just not safe with the young drivers attending Hauser. I’ve seen a lot of students having to dodge mud just to get to basic access points of the school. Maybe it’s not all around town. Just some fairways the students can access that would make it a little safer.
Bragg: Obtaining some sidewalks, and continue fixing the roads. We already have most of the streets repaved. Although there are not a lot of grants or funds available for sidewalks, we have begun to work on it. I’d like to see some ‘Mom and Pop’ places in town, and attract more businesses to the industrial park. I am not going to stop looking at different ways to better this town, and get people what they need.
Name: Herby Asher (R)
Age: 42
Address: Hope
Previous elected positions: none
Current employer: NTN Driveshaft
Educational background: 1998 graduate of Hauser High School. Studied graphic design at Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus and IUPUC.
Community Service: Served on the Hope Building and Zoning Committee for the past three years. Spent six years on the Hope Summer Playground board. Coaches a variety of softball teams at Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School, as well as various other teams.
Family: Wife, Kasie. Three daughters: Annie 19, Lucie 15, and Jolie, 8.
Name: Shanon Pittman (R)
Age: 44
Address: Hope
Previous elected positions: none
Current employer: Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp.
Educational background: Graduated from Greensburg High School in 1996. Later studied cosmetology.
Community Service: Works for Council on International Educational Exchange and other organizations.
Family: Husband, Brett. One adult child. One son at home: Holden, 15.
Name: Jerry Bragg (D)
Age: 56
Address: Hope
Previous elected positions: Appointed to fill out remaining term of Shawn Lange on the town council in 2014, Won election in 2014 and 2018. Seeking a third consecutive term.
Current employer: Kenny Glass Inc.
Educational background: Graduate of Hauser Senior High School
Community Service: Past board member of the Community Center of Hope.
Family: wife, Mary. Three adult children. Fourth child, son Jesse, is a senior at Hauser.
