Two prominent local leaders have announced their candidacies for the Hamilton County Council to replace Paul Ayers, a Carmel resident who decided to not seek a third term.
Rick Sharp, former president of the Carmel City Council and candidate for mayor of Carmel, has decided that after two years out of office he is interested in running again. He said he didn’t have a desire to get back into municipal government, but the County Council appeals to him because it’s a financial body, not a legislative one.
“I always feel I’ve been a good steward of the taxpayers’ money, and I don’t believe in frivolous spending,” he said. “But at the same time I’m not opposed to spending to invest in our area, and I think my record shows that.”
Sharp said he considered Ayers a friend, and although he never agrees with any elected official 100 percent of the time, he said they share many core beliefs.
“I’ve shown fiscal conservatism and pragmatism, and I hope to carry that out in Paul’s giant footsteps,” he said.
Another candidate is Ken Alexander, a Westfield resident. He is the vice president of sales at the Fishers-based Hagerman Group and was previously the director of Grand Park in Westfield. Alexander planned to run for the seat before Ayers announced he wasn’t running. He also served as director of Public Works for the City of Westfield.
“Our county needs leaders who will prioritize engaging young people in our community to ensure Hamilton County will continue to be a wonderful environment for families to live, work and play in future years,” he said. “Along with engaging our young people, I want to ensure our unprecedented growth is managed well and in the most transparent way and that community tax dollars are managed efficiently, maximizing investment in our community.”
Carmel Clerk-Treasurer Christine Pauley said she’s been asked to consider running and that she’ll make a decision after the holidays.
Hamilton County Council District 4 covers Westfield, Sheridan and western Carmel.
Primary elections will be held May 8, 2018. The general election is Nov. 8, 2018.
