Meet the 2023 candidates for Town of Dayton
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Meet the candidates for the Town of Dayton City Council who have an opponent for the position on the 2023 Tippecanoe County municipal ballot.
Early voting begins Oct. 11, 2023, and in-person on Oct. 24 through Nov. 6, at the Tippecanoe County building.
The Journal & Courier asked each candidate three questions. Here are the questions and their responses. The presentation of the candidates is in order of district and in alphabetic order.
Every candidate on the Town of Dayton 2023 municipal ballot registered as an independent.
Carla Snodgrass – Dayton Town Council Member At Large
Tell us about yourself and your ties to Dayton.
I was raised in Frankfort, IN, graduated from Frankfort High School, Ivy Tech-Lafayette and attended the School of Music at IU. I was choral director/organist at Dayton UMC for seven years and maintained many friendships from my time there – a big reason for moving to Dayton nearly nine years ago.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the Town of Dayton?
Community Center: We recently purchased a building to create a facility for the town residents; planning/designing/implementing is crucial to completing this project and is one of my top priorities.
Expanding Business Base: Presenting opportunities for businesses to set up shop in our town will increase the residents’ options for shopping in all types of retail, services, and dining arenas.
Aesthetic Improvements: Continue the current process of increasing the beautification of the center of our town, the Town Hall and the surrounding area to create a place for residents and visitors to enjoy.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
Our team represents experience and a deep sense of community. We are committed to working toward the growth of our town in a manner that will maintain its uniqueness, integrity and safety. We are open and transparent in all that we do and every action we take. In order to bring improvements to our town we rely extensively on searching out and applying for grants. Using grant funding protects our town funds so we don’t have to raise taxes to make Dayton an even nicer place to live.
Jen Manago – Dayton Town Council Member At Large
Tell us about yourself and your ties to Dayton.
My husband and I moved to Dayton in 2011 when I was pregnant with our first child. We now have 3 children and I am blessed to stay home with them. I have had the pleasure of serving on our Dayton Town Council since 2020.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the Town of Dayton?
The top 3 issues I would prioritize would be improvements, safety, and finances.
Improvements will continue around town. We will work diligently to get the town’s Community Center up and running. I look forward to our community taking advantage of all that it will have to offer.
Safety for everyone in Dayton must remain a priority. Street and sidewalk upgrades will continue to happen to keep travel throughout town safe. I remain steadfast in my support of the Dayton Police Department as they deter crime and respond to calls throughout our town.
Important to everyone – finances. During my almost 4 years on the Council we have nearly doubled the money in Dayton’s bank account. Improvements around town have still happened, and as often as possible I seek to use grants to assist us. We have lowered our water rates, and continue to look for ways to save residents money.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
I attended meetings and was involved in the community long before I was elected. Over the years I have purposed to learn more about effective decision making, internal controls, town finances, and protecting our small town. As a homeowner, a resident for over 12 years, and as a parent raising children here, I am invested in Dayton. In my first term I saved the town money, worked to implement community events, and secured the $50,000 grant from OCRA so we could create a Comprehensive Plan for Dayton. I look forward to continuing what has been started.
Joy Tischer – Dayton Town Council Member At Large
Joy Tischer did not respond to the newspaper's email in time for print.
Leah Copas – Dayton Town Council Member At Large
Leah Copasdid not respond to the newspaper's email in time for print.
Marc Buhrmester – Dayton Town Council Member At Large
Marc Buhrmester did not respond to the newspaper's email in time for print.
Rocky Richards – Dayton Town Council Member At Large
Rocky Richards did not respond to the newspaper's email in time for print.
Ron Koehler – Dayton Town Council Member At Large
Tell us about yourself and your ties to Dayton.
It will be 50 years in May that my wife, Cindy Marsh, and I came back from our honeymoon and moved into our house on Shady Lane. I was asked to run as Clerk-Treasurer in 2003 and held that position until I was elected to the Town Council in 2015.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the Town of Dayton?
1) Transparency and open government have been my priority since I was first elected as Clerk-Treasurer. I ran for Council in 2015 to be able to make transparency and open government a TOWN policy.
2) Preserve and protect our small-town atmosphere. Ensure that growth does not negatively impact the people of Dayton, does not increase expenses for the Town of Dayton, and brings a positive impact to the community. Improve our community pride, unity, and identity. Continue to bring events and activities where neighbors can participate and interact.
3) Ensure expenses charged to Utility Funds are legitimate. We already reduced water costs for Dayton residents by 26%. I would love to cut utilities for our residents even more. On all things I have a constant awareness that taxpayer funds are being spent. Since 2020 we have increased our funds in the bank by nearly $1.5 million.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
I was an observer of Dayton government and community volunteer before I held a public office. I know the operations of the town and have worked hard to make it a better place. I know the Clerk-Treasurer job, the Utility Board job, and the Town Council job. I am the one who gets the 3am call when something happens in town. I believe in public virtue and love this town. I am committed to making sure the next generation will be able to raise families here.
Please visit the Dayton, Indiana Candidates 2023 Facebook page.
Vickie Beavers – Dayton Town Council Member At Large
Tell us about yourself and your ties to Dayton.
My career since the 1980's was middle management in logistics/production distribution in manufacturing, along with owning businesses and rentals. I moved to Dayton in 2007 after reconnecting with my now husband, whom I had dated in the early 1970's.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the Town of Dayton?
1. Working to keep Dayton, Dayton by moving forward with our current council's momentum and agenda including The Comprehensive plan, grants, and investing in our town.
2. Encourage community involvement by attending council meetings, volunteering for town activities and future committees for our upcoming community center and future projects.
3. Encouraging businesses that would enhance Dayton's image of being accessible and town friendly.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
1. Strong business background with emphasize on evaluations, reasoning and making informed judgements. and decisions.
2. A member of the Dayton Redevelopment Committee since 2020.
3. Know council protocol. And I've attending or watched council meetings since 2015, and have written council minutes since 2016.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Meet the 2023 candidates for Town of Dayton
