It’s well reported that several local township trustees have had a problem keeping their hands off taxpayer funds in the past decade-plus.
Part of the reason they got away with it for so long, especially in the case of Ben Jackson, is that the township advisors weren’t doing their job. When Jackson said that, in addition to being the sole holder of the township credit card, he would also be the sole person to look at the credit card statement, all three of the Columbus Township Advisors at that time should have said, “No, that ain’t happening on our watch.”
They didn’t, and Jackson went on to steal $1.12 million over his tenure as township trustee.
As part of Jackson’s appeal of his 28-year prison sentence, he said that the advisors in his office should have stopped him. He’s right. Certainly not an excuse for his behavior, but every single advisor over his last term-plus should have stopped him.
The duties of an Indiana Township Advisory Board are helping oversee the township budget, approving salaries and key expenses, and working with the township trustee to guide services like fire protection and emergency assistance. Members are elected to four-year terms.
Why didn’t Jackson’s advisors report him for so long? Is it because they were all members of the same party as Jackson, the same Republican party that has had a stranglehold on Columbus Township government for decades? The same party that has signed off on two of Jackson’s advisors to be on the ballot again this fall?
We don’t want the same advisors who were advising Ben Jackson. Or perhaps the better term would be not advising Ben Jackson. The fact that two of his advisors are running again for the same position is unbelievable. How can you be called out by the man who just got a 28-year prison sentence as being someone who did not stop him and then have the gall to run again. We need new blood.
It’s important to have trusted advisors; it’s also important to end one-party rule in township government here. We need transparency in our township government, and that includes advisors who will actually make sure the trustee is doing his/her jobs. In addition to hiring an outside accountant to do an annual audit, getting trusted advisors in that office is huge.
We have three candidates for advisor who are quality people who will make sure that the trustee is doing everything above board: Stephanie Carmer, Sandra Crawford, and David Spear. Please remember to vote for them this fall.
Here is some information on those folks who have pledged to keep an eagle eye on the township budget and expenses.
Stephanie Carmer was born and raised in Chicago. After a successful career in retail and community banking almost 20 years ago, she moved to Columbus to care for her father, who was born and raised in Bartholomew County. Stephanie has raised two amazing IU grads. Her time working and volunteering in Columbus has increased her passion for human and civil rights, and she has served on several committees and boards that protect citizens and their rights. Running for Columbus Township Advisory Board is work that requires the integrity and honesty that Stephanie is known for throughout her service in this county.
Sandra Crawford was born and raised in Columbus and has dedicated her life to community service and civic engagement. She is running for the Columbus Township Advisory Board to provide oversight of the trustee’s activities and to represent the interests of the community in local decision‑making. She serves as both president and secretary of the Bartholomew County Democratic Women and is a proud Friend of the Bartholomew County Library. A retired United States Postal Service rural letter carrier, Sandra spent her career serving neighbors with reliability and care. She is the proud mother of Alexis Roberts and Logan Crawford, and the grandmother of three—Sam, Alanna, and Isobel—who inspire her commitment to building a vibrant, welcoming community for future generations.
David Spear is a longtime Columbus resident, and a retired Cummins Inc. executive with 20 years of service with a long history of volunteer and community service in Bartholomew County. He is the former Director of Mining Marketing at Cummins, and has engineering, technical sales, and business management experience. He has experience managing major global customer relationships and substantial business accounts, and has worked with Cummins Corporate Responsibility programs. Spear, who has a finance degree from the University of Chicago, is an active supporter and participant in United Way community efforts, has eight years of service as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, is an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteer. He is experienced in budgets, financial analysis, and accountability, has a Six Sigma Green Belt, and has an engineering degree from Purdue University.
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