Q&A: Meet the Hamilton County Council District 1 candidates

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Hamilton County Council member Fred Glynn is facing a Republican primary challenge from Sue Maki, manager of environmental initiatives and education for Carmel Utilities.

Fred Glynn
Glynn

Name: Fred Glynn

Age: 42

City: Carmel

Occupation: Loan officer

How many years have you lived in Hamilton County?

17 years

How did you and your family end up in Hamilton County?

My wife moved here before we met. When we got married we decided that this was the place we wanted to live and raise a family.

Why do you want to run for elected office?

I have a passion for public service, and I have witnessed too many occasions where the interests of taxpayers were forgotten. I take very seriously my job of serving our county by scrutinizing spending requests on behalf of taxpayers.

What is your previous political experience?

I am the current elected official for County Council District 1.

Have you run for or held an elected office before?

I first ran for this office in 2014. I am in my first term

What are your top priorities if elected?

The county council is purely the fiscal body of county government. As such, if re-elected I will continue on our path of fiscal responsibility while prioritizing spending on infrastructure, parks and public safety in a responsible manner.

What are the biggest issues facing Hamilton County residents that your office can impact?

One of the biggest issues facing Hamilton County is our increased inmate population due to D felonies now being housed in the county as well as increased population. On council we have demonstrated a measured and multi-faceted approach to confronting this problem by approving expansion of the jail, prevention programs and supporting evidence-based decision-making to cut costs. Another issue we are confronted with is managing continued growth with the financial constraints of limited funding. Our share of tax revenue is decreasing, but we still have the same level of spending requests from department heads and the Board of Commissioners. On county council we have been instrumental in making sure that we prioritize spending to make sure that we fund necessary infrastructure and county government functions without raising taxes.

What are your qualifications to run for this office?

Leadership and experience. As the current elected official of this office I have brought leadership to the council and brought other council members together. We now have a real system of checks and balances in place. This has not only benefited county government but also the taxpayers and constituents of this district. I am not funded by vendors or the commissioners, which makes it easier to do my job effectively. I am not beholden to anyone but the citizens of this district.

What is your favorite thing about Hamilton County?

The people and the quality of life. We have some of the nicest, most down to earth and most intelligent people I have ever met. Our quality of life is the envy of much of the rest of the state.

What changes do you hope to bring about if elected?

I would like to bring zero-based budgeting to county government. This system has been used effectively in successful and efficient governments across the country and has proven to be one of the best methods for avoiding waste, balancing budgets and holding executives and department heads accountable on spending.

Favorite local restaurant: Oakleys Bistro

Favorite movie: “Training Day”

Favorite quote or motto: “Some ideas are so foolish that only an intellectual could believe them, for no ordinary man could be such a fool.” – George Orwell

Family: My wife Beth and I have a 13-year-old daughter that we are very proud of.

Pets: We have a teddy bear dog named Bailey.

Favorite vacation: San Diego is one of our favorite places to visit,

Something you’d like readers to know about you: I am a loyal friend and family man. I don’t always follow the crowd in life or in politics and I try to base my important decisions on actual fact. It is hard to follow that path, sometimes, but I never have to second guess the decisions I make.

Something most people don’t know about you: I used to be heavy into aviation which led to my degree in aviation business from Embry-Riddle. I still hold an Airframe and Powerplant license.

Sue Maki
Maki

Name: Sue Maki

Age: 56

City: Carmel

Occupation: Manager of Environmental Initiatives & Education for Carmel Utilities

How many years have you lived in Hamilton County?

30

How did you and your family end up in Hamilton County?

My job with Aetna Insurance was transferred here in April 1988. My husband was able to arrange a transfer with his employer. Four years later, when Aetna closed the Indianapolis office and offered a transfer to Texas, we declined. We love it here.

Why do you want to run for elected office?

I am proud of our county, and I am committed to keeping Hamilton County the No. 1 place to live in America. My community service, government and corporate experience makes me the ideal person for the job. I am dedicated to continuing to improve the quality of life and commerce here in the county without increasing taxes. We can do both at the same time, and I want to make sure that happens.

What is your previous political experience?

While not considered a public office, in 2012 I ran for Republican State Convention delegate. There were 16 open seats, and out of a field of 25 candidates, I came in with the second-highest number of votes, trailing only longtime public servant Luci Snyder. I have been active in politics for many years, and I always knew I could make a difference by serving.

What are your top priorities if elected?

Ensuring that the economic growth that our county has experienced continues while keeping taxes low. Also, with growth comes increasing exposure to crime and other public safety issues. Making sure that our public safety organizations have what they need to keep Hamilton County one of the safest places to live in America.

What are the biggest issues facing Hamilton County residents that your office can impact?

Managing growth and making infrastructure investments that will ensure that businesses continue to invest in our communities.

What are your qualifications to run for this office?

-Bachelor’s in Political Science, Baldwin-Wallace University, Berea, Ohio

-Master’s in Business Administration, Anderson University, Anderson, Ind.

-Eighteen years of increasing responsibility in the insurance industry, mainly with Fortune 500 companies in management roles.

-Twelve years with the City of Carmel/Carmel Utilities

-Hamilton County Leadership Academy graduate 1999. Executive director of HCLA 2000-03

-Past President of: Hamilton County Tourism Commission; Rotary Club of Carmel; and Carmel Middle School PTO

-OneZone Commerce (former Carmel & Fishers Chambers of Commerce) Annual Awards Committee member 2012 to present. Committee Chair 2016 to present.

What is your favorite thing about Hamilton County?

The fantastic park systems. My personal favorite is Koteewi Park in Strawtown. When we moved here 30 years ago, there were very few parks in the county. Now Fishers, Carmel and Hamilton County all have wonderful parks we all can enjoy.

What changes do you hope to bring about if elected?

Greater collaboration and cooperation between non-governmental organizations, the various municipalities in the county and the county government.

Favorite local restaurant: The basement at Woody’s Library Restaurant.

Favorite movie: “Forrest Gump”

Favorite quote or motto: “People are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” Abraham Lincoln

Family: Married to my husband Tom Kapostasy for 35 years. Two adult sons: David and Michael Kapostasy

Pets: Cooper, a Cairn terrier dog.

Favorite vacation: California Wine Country

Something you’d like readers to know about you: I am a hard worker with a positive outlook. I know that a strong vision is executed by collaboration and innovation.

Something most people don’t know about you: Tom and I have been host parents to six exchange students from around the world.


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