Meet the 2023 candidates for West Lafayette City Council
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Meet the candidates for West Lafayette City Council who have an opponent for the position on the 2023 Tippecanoe County municipal ballot.
Early voting begins Oc. 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.
There are three West Lafayette City Council candidates running unopposed.
Michelle Dennis – West Lafayette City Council District 2 – Democratic candidate
Colin Lee – West Lafayette City Council District 3 – Democratic candidate
Larry Leverenz – West Lafayette City Council District 4 – Democratic candidate
Aaron Abell – West Lafayette City Council District 1 – Republican candidate
Tell us about yourself and your ties to West Lafayette.
I’m a happily married father of two - soon to be three, a first responder, a student, and a Precinct Committeeman. My wife and I have lived in District 1 since 2019, and this is where each of our kids were born and will go to school.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the city of West Lafayette?
My priorities will be affordable housing, sustainability, and involvement. It’s no secret that rent in West Lafayette is expensive and only going up. In order to address this, the city will need to promote development of a larger variety of housing types than just luxury apartments or single-family homes.
The Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan was a great start, but I’d like to see a greater emphasis in particular on “bottom-up” approaches: strategies to make everyday activities more climate-friendly. Building quality biking infrastructure, increasing public transit coverage, and developing walkable neighborhoods will all encourage residents to use less emission-heavy methods of transportation.
District 1 now has nearly 8000 people, but only 90 votes were cast in 2019. Encouraging my neighbors to be more involved in our great city and this election has been one of my goals. For the Council to truly be representative of residents, we need greater turnout.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
When filing for office began, I turned in my paperwork the first day. When the primaries finished in May, I was still the only one to have filed in this race. Since January, I’ve been to more City Council meetings than several actual Councillors. In my years as a first responder working in local government, I’ve gotten valuable experience that will help me lead. I also have stronger ties and investment in this community since my kids were born and will go to school here. All of these things together make me the most qualified candidate for District 1.
Laila Veidemanis – West Lafayette City Council District 1 – Democratic candidate
Laila Veidemanis did not respond to the newspaper's email in time for print.
James Waters – West Lafayette City Council District 5 – Republican candidate
James Waters did not respond to the newspaper's email in time for print.
Kathy Parker – West Lafayette City Council District 5 – Democratic candidate
Tell us about yourself and your ties to West Lafayette.
I’m Kathy Parker, Director of Career Development and Advising at LARA. I’ve been married for 31 years, have 3 grown children and 2 dogs. I’ve served on council for the last 4 years and I’m passionate about my community.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the City of West Lafayette?
Housing accessibility, sustainable growth, enacting the climate action plan. Housing accessibility and sustainable growth are certainly related, yet also distinct. Booming Purdue enrollment is one contributor to the housing shortage, and the other is the proliferation of short term rentals. Careful planning and consideration needs to be undertaken as we welcome new businesses and residents to the city. We want them to be able to live in the city where they work and send their children to West Lafayette schools, the very schools just ranked first in the state. As for the Climate Action Plan, we need to continue along our current trajectory. We are fortunate to have city staff committed to a greener West Lafayette.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
I have been actively engaged in West Lafayette for many years. I believe good leaders show up to listen, learn, and collaborate to solve real problems. Good leaders center inclusion and community needs, always mindful of negative consequences. That’s the kind of person I try to be every day.
Jeff Brown – West Lafayette City Council District 6 – Republican candidate
Tell us about yourself and your ties to West Lafayette.
I’m Jeff Brown, a proud West Lafayette resident for over 30 years, retired healthcare physician, father, and Purdue medical student educator. Currently serving as a West Lafayette City Councilman, I serve on the Board of NCHS and am the Secretary of the Board for the Blackbird Farms HOA.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the city of West Lafayette?
My top priorities for West Lafayette are centered around fostering a vibrant and sustainable community while preserving our city's unique identity.
1. Thoughtful Planned Growth: Promoting sustainable, organized development while preserving our unique character by making commonsense choices. Striking a balance between progress and preserving our city's special qualities is vital.
2. Purdue Collaboration: Strengthening our ties with Purdue, focusing on safety, and leveraging university resources for the benefit of our community. Ensuring that our city remains a welcoming and secure place for residents and students alike.
3. Safety and Accessibility: Expanding multi-use trails for safety, widening critical roads like McCormick Road, and responsible scooter regulation. Together, we can create a thriving, inclusive West Lafayette while preserving our values and character.
These issues represent our path forward in creating a better and more inclusive community for everyone who calls West Lafayette home.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
I believe I’m the better candidate for several reasons:
1. Extensive Experience: Currently a councilman and with over 30 years of service as a physician, I bring a wealth of experience and understanding of our community's needs.
2. Community Dedication: My decades-long residency and engagement in West Lafayette reflects my commitment to the city’s residents.
3. Proven Leadership: My successful career in healthcare administration and leadership roles within various organizations demonstrates my ability to drive positive change and make informed decisions.
4. Endorsement by Mayor John Dennis: Mayor Dennis's endorsement underscores my credibility and the trust I’ve earned within the community.
Stacey Baitinger Burr – West Lafayette City Council District 6 – Democratic candidate
Tell us about yourself and your ties to West Lafayette.
I grew up in West Lafayette (Klondike/Harrison) and graduated from Purdue with a BS Engineering and MBA. My family are Boilermakers. I work from WL commercializing technology and am involved in national, state, and local start-up communities helping incubate business innovation. I currently serve on the WL Traffic Commission.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the city of West Lafayette?
The top three city-wide issues that I hear from residents of District 6 are:
Increase the availability of safe and affordable housing to support a growing university and community.
Advocate for transparency and robust data-driven information in order to make the consequential decision about the viability of taking water from Tippecanoe county for the Boone county LEAP development district.
Evaluate options to attract and retain our vital community professionals such as mental health providers, public safety officers, health care professionals, child care providers, and school bus drivers. Filling these critical roles assures our community thrives.
Specific to WL District 6, I’d support commercial air service at the Purdue airport. For the growing student and residential population, I’d like to see a grocery store commit to the SW side of campus. A sidewalk along McCormick Road between Cherry Lane and Lindberg would allow safer access to campus for those without cars.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
I’ve worked 23 years from WL as a tech start-up Founder/CEO and a senior leader in multinational corporations (adidas, DuPont, Google). My strong business and technology background can bring a new set of relevant skills to the City Council.
As a very active Purdue alumni that often participates with administration, professors, and students I feel current with the pulse of university.
Growing up and raising a family in WL makes me invested in building a clean/green community with a welcoming culture.
I would like to be in service to my neighbors through action, collaborating and problem-solving.
Brian Russell – West Lafayette City Council At-Large - Republican candidate
Tell us about yourself and your ties to West Lafayette.
I was born and raised in WL, Harrison grad, Purdue grad. I own a small business here. I go to church here. My 5 kids are in/graduated from West Side schools. My roots run deep in WL and I have no plans on leaving the area.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the city of West Lafayette?
The three issues I would like to prioritize for WL are:
1. Sustainable Growth – this includes housing (and addressing Airbnbs), water (and the LEAP pipeline), Levee Redevelopment, continued investment in our city employees, maintaining good relations with Purdue.
2. Focusing on Basic Services – making sure that the city council is focused on our core services – Streets, Parks, Sanitation, Public Safety – before worrying about pet projects or tangential issues. We should not be spreading our overburdened city staff thin on minor issues that have minimal impact on our community.
3. Supporting Innovation – by attracting more companies that are using hard tech developed at Purdue and providing good, living wage jobs to WL citizens. Good jobs and a thriving economy are at the heart of a healthy city.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
I am smart enough to know that I won’t be the smartest person on the council, but I am humble enough to know that it isn’t about me. I truly care about this community and only want what is best for it. I’m not a career politician, not do I intend to be. Ideally, I’d like to serve for 3 terms – one to learn, one to govern and one to pass on what I’ve learned to the next generation. I really think this should be the model at all levels of government. Thanks for the opportunity to serve.
David Sanders – West Lafayette City Council At-Large - Democratic Candidate
Tell us about yourself and your ties to West Lafayette.
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Purdue University. Bachelor of Science, Yale College, Ph.D., Biochemistry, University California, Berkeley. West Lafayette resident 28 years. Three sons attended WL public schools. Two U.S. patents. Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Biological Weapons Proliferation Prevention Program participant. National Science Foundation CAREER Award recipient. American Cancer Society Research Scholar.
Mention of Purdue University is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the city of West Lafayette?
These have been my priorities as your West Lafayette City Councilor and will continue to be so in the future. Government needs to be responsive, accountable, and prudent. The greatest challenge is balancing economic growth with quality-of-life preservation and enhancement. A focus on sustainability always has to be foremost.
Housing--Insist that development include below market-rate housing. Ensure that Purdue University makes firm commitments about student-population size. Enhance enforcement of rental-housing standards. Stem the tide of conversion of housing to transient-rental properties.
Water—I vigorously oppose the diversion of vast quantities of water from the aquifer in Tippecanoe County to the LEAP project in Boone County and authored the resolution in opposition that passed the West Lafayette City Council unanimously. Evaluate how new industrial and housing development impact water resources before they are permitted. Require industrial developers to pay for infrastructure necessary to service their properties.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
In my role as your West Lafayette City Councilor, I have been an advocate for sustainability, the public schools, parks, public transportation, and cultural and recreational venues that make the city attractive. I am known for safeguarding taxpayer money and opposing government invasion of privacy. I have been a champion for local control of government functions. I value public service. I personally answer every message sent by constituents and incorporate input from them into the ordinances and resolutions that I author. I also assist them with information and by directing them to the appropriate authority to address their concerns.
Iris O’Donnell Bellisario – West Lafayette City Council At-Large - Democratic candidate
Tell us about yourself and your ties to West Lafayette.
I moved to West Lafayette in high school while my mom was completing her doctorate at Purdue. I stayed for college and fell in love with this city, purchasing my first home here. I eventually began working with the city council & mayor on issues such as addressing climate change.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the City of West Lafayette?
There are several critical issues facing our vibrant community, but my top three priorities are affordable housing, water supply, and sustainability.
Lack of affordable housing is a barrier for our community. Every citizen, regardless of cultural or economic background, has the right to live a stable life here. I will create a long-term housing plan to identify strategies and actions we can take to resolve this issue.
Citizens need safe drinking water. I pledge to modernize infrastructure and ensure that aging pipelines and water treatment facilities meet safety standards for our population. We also must conserve and protect our water supply as well.
Climate change poses a growing threat to our water supply, and we must act decisively. I am committed to working with environmental experts and engaging the community to implement sustainable practices that conserve water and reduce pollution.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
I love this city and it is my home. As a young woman for change, I’ll bring about a new generation of leadership for our city to support the growth of our community by taking on issues we care about like housing, safe drinking water and environmental protection. Highly educated and completely hands-on, I bring new ideas, energy and a passion for progress. I work respectfully and cooperatively with stakeholders, and advocate transparency as a leader. I care about the issues important to WL. I am always seeing results from my work in promoting civic engagement and applying ideas of
James Blanco – West Lafayette City Council At-Large - Democratic candidate
Tell us about yourself and your ties to West Lafayette.
I'm James Blanco, and I've lived in West Lafayette for nine years. I arrived as a Purdue student, but ended up loving the community and staying. I work full time as an auto mechanic and am proud to represent many often left out of government, including working people and renters.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the City of West Lafayette?
The three issues I will prioritize are LEAP Project (in opposition), housing affordability and housing quality. For the October city council meeting, I cosponsored a resolution stating our community's strong opposition to the LEAP Project, which would siphon millions of gallons of water out of the county every single day. I'm proud that it passed unanimously. I am deeply skeptical of the evidence that the IEDC has presented, and skepticism has only grown since the public meeting held late last month. On housing affordability, I will work extensively with the incoming administration on projects that would increase housing density, centered on the area nearest Purdue, an area which our last Student Rental Report showed no vacancies in. On housing quality, I will continue working in the community through the Greater Lafayette Tenants Union as well as extensive consultation with the upcoming administration and my council colleagues.
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
The qualities that make me stand out are the fact I am the only renter on the at-large ballot, and I come from a working class background. I understand deeply the real concern that regular people are struggling to be able to afford to live in West Lafayette, whether they're auto mechanics, retail workers, etc. That's been the reality for me as well. I'll never forget where I came from and how much this community means to me.
Patrick Flannelly – West Lafayette City Council At-Large - Republican candidate
Tell us about yourself and your ties to West Lafayette.
After 27 years in policing, I retired as Chief in 2022. I'm an Air Force Veteran, Purdue graduate, and West Lafayette High School alumnus. Above all, I'm a husband and father to three incredible boys. I look forward to continued public service.
What are the three issues you would prioritize in addressing in regard to the City of West Lafayette?
First, my experience in public safety drives the relevance and advocacy for increased investment in community safety initiatives. Ensuring our police, fire, and emergency responders are supported ensures the long-term safety and security of our residents. This is the foundation of any thriving community.
Second, the threat to our water rights and long-term resource security has to be addressed. I’ll work to ensure that we develop a plan for sustainable water management that protects our local water resources. This is vital to our local economy and sutainable growth to support local, regional agriculture and business development.
Additionally, we need a collaborative effort between the City, Purdue, and local employers and developers to create planned developments, particularly in terms of housing. This plan should address the addition of new housing as well as applying fair regulation on short-term rentals. Balancing homeowners rights while not limiting the supply of long-term housing for
What makes you the better candidate for the seat?
As the sole candidate for the seat with an extensive background in policing and public safety experience, I have a deep understanding of the importance of community engagement and collaboration to create community benefit. City infrastructure must be harmonized to include all aspect of safety, including city code and traffic management. This requires a non-partisan approach and consensus building, which are areas I have demonstrated and proven value.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Meet the 2023 candidates for West Lafayette City Council
