Two candidates are running for the District 3 seat in the Zionsville Town Council in the Nov. 7 municipal election.
Incumbent Republican Craig Melton has been a Zionsville resident for 17 years. He is a building remodeler and Boone County Solid Waste District president.
Democrat Monisha Mitchell has been a Zionsville resident for eight years. She is a therapist and small business owner.
The candidates answered the following questions from Current:
What are your top three campaign issues?
Melton: My top three priorities are public safety, government accountability and sustainable development.
Mitchell: My top three priorities are fresh leadership, mindful development and support for community amenities/public safety.
What are Zionsville’s greatest strengths? Where do you see areas of improvement?
Melton: Zionsville’s strengths are absolutely the people and our families. Protecting them with our great public safety should remain the priority. We must hold those accountable and demand transparency of those spending our tax dollars.
Mitchell: Our greatest strengths are our people and our land. The greatest area for improvement is that our people and land are changing rapidly. There has been a lot of development consuming the land, resulting in new people. This has been taxing our town and our infrastructure. We have an opportunity to be intentional about our vision for the future of our community. Who do we want to be, and how do we best cultivate that? It starts with listening to the people.
How would you describe Zionsville’s financial health? Why would you describe it that way?
Melton: Zionsville’s financial health is good, but improvement is needed with the financial internal controls. Improving the town’s credit will save Zionsville millions of dollars over the next four years.
Mitchell: The reorganization of our town was structured in such a way as to require collaboration between the town council and the mayor. Clearly, there has been no collaboration. All parties need to take responsibility for this. The town, including financially and town employees, has suffered as a result. For bills to be paid and appropriations to be made, there has to be communication. I believe we can put the challenges of the past behind us and work together collaboratively for a strong town, including robust financial health and growth.
What should be the city’s role in supporting its senior citizen residents and their needs?
Melton: Zionsville’s highest number of emergency calls are for EMS. Having fully staffed fire trucks and ambulances is my number one priority in serving our aging population. We have room for improvement here, and we can budget for this.
Mitchell: The town’s role should be to partner with seniors so they can enjoy all our community has to offer. To know how to best meet their needs, we need to ask them. There is a lack of engagement of constituents of any demographic for their input on how best to serve their needs. I have met with seniors, including in Hoosier Village, and I look forward to ongoing discussions. The concerns I have heard thus far range from postal zip codes to displacement of residents to concerns for development. Our role? Listen and respond.
How do you determine if a proposed development or redevelopment project in Zionsville is something you would support?
Melton: Approving projects that serve all Zionsville residents seems like an easy decision, but we must also look at the project’s sustainability and its impact on our legacies. Does it protect our drinking water? How does it impact our schools? Does the economic impact of a project align with the future services required by the project? These are just a few parameters I assess when looking at development projects in Zionsville.
Mitchell: First, we have to assess if we currently have the infrastructure to support the development. If not, how will that infrastructure be financed? Second, does the development align with the vision we have for our town? Given Zionsville has not had a Master Plan in quite some time, that is a current barrier to making mindful decisions about what proposed development should or should not be supported. Third, we need to consider the desires of the majority of current residents. Finally, we need to be good stewards of our natural resources.
What do you most want voters to know about you?
Melton: Safe connectivity in Zionsville has been a priority for my last four years. I will continue to improve and support connecting residents to all of the town and services. From pathway connectivity around town, to access to mental health services and better emergency medical services, I understand it is in part my responsibility to continue to make Zionsville a desirable place to eat, work and live well.
Mitchell: I do not just live in Zionsville. I also worship, work, play and serve in Zionsville. I attend a local church. My faith guides me to love my neighbor. So, I can respect people with different opinions than mine, which is essential as an elected representative. I believe we have more in common than what divides us. Our elected representatives are not here to tell us how to live or what is best for us. Our elected representatives are here to listen and ensure our voice is heard. I am listening.
How can voters learn more about you?
Melton: [email protected], Craigmeltonforcouncil.com
Mitchell: [email protected], mitchellforzionsville.com.
