Primary 2022: Three candidates for Marshall Township trustee
Republicans Jan Kirk, Tony Barrett and Christopher Noel are running for the GOP nomination for Marshall Township trustee in the May 3 primary election. Current township Trustee Susan Evans has served in the position for several years and is retiring, leaving the seat open.
Township trustees administer assistance to the poor, provide fire protection and maintain cemeteries within the township. Marshall Township recently acquired the former Avoca Fish Hatchery, which is now a site of public recreation.
The 2021 salary for Marshall Township trustee was $15,000.
The Times-Mail posed questions to all three candidates, here are their responses.
What contribution of service to your community are you most proud of and how do you feel that experience would potentially aid you as a candidate?
Barrett: Although I have given in different ways to a variety of different causes, I would have to say the contributions I have made at the Avoca Park of Marshall Township would be the one I am most proud of, whether it would be giving of my knowledge, advice, or information needed for grants, ideas and physical work to renovate an existing building for a shelter house to being hands-on physically helping my ideas become a reality. My experience as a local businessman of over 40 years from fire codes on buildings, or event organizing, fundraisers, or as a rental landlord helping people find assistance when needed, to accounting and bookkeeping, and stretching our dollars to work better for the situation as needed.
Kirk: I feel being a teacher for 40 years would be my greatest contribution to my community. I feel this experience will benefit the office of trustee. A teacher and trustee must have a lot of the same qualifications. Both need to be a leader, planner, organizer, works and listens to others, level headed, honest, and can work with deadlines. I have met those qualifications for many years.
Noel: I’m most proud of the two small humans that call me Dad. However, as it pertains to my candidacy, I’m proud of the four years I have served on the Marshall Township Board. It has been my honor to listen to concerns of local citizens and work closely with the Marshall Township VFD to address their need to replace an aging fire engine and brush truck. Creating a relationship of trust and respect among those in the township and within the Republican Party will be invaluable if I’m honored to serve as the Marshall Township Trustee.
A common topic of discussion lately has been the push to provide more efficient ambulance services to the area. How important do you think it is that Marshall Township and the rest of the county have more accessible ambulance services?
Barrett: I find this very important, it is something that I would investigate and move o see if there could be any funding available for this and the best path to accomplish this goal, whether public or private.
Kirk: I feel it's very important that Marshall Township have accessible ambulance services. Just like our fire department, we need to strive to have the best for our residents in Marshall Township. If elected, I will work to provide this for my Township.
Noel: Accessible ambulance service is essential for the general welfare of the public. State and local governments must help maintain adequate ambulance coverage across communities which includes the ability to arrive to scenes quickly and efficiently. I’ve seen firsthand how Marshall Township’s local volunteer firefighters and EMTs arrive in the MTVFD’s rescue truck to deliver lifesaving aid before an ambulance service is able to on several occasions. I urge all units of government to work together to find funding mechanisms to maintain well trained EMTs and ambulances.
The Marshall Township VFD continues to struggle to find adequate funding opportunities. In what ways can local communities rally behind their volunteer fire departments to support their life-saving efforts?
Barrett: One thing is public awareness. I don't think most people understand how the fire department volunteers are funded. I will set up a website for the Marshall Township proper with links for the Fires Department and the Avoca Park to make it easy for people, businesses, corporations, etc to donate directly to each and would have information of the needs and goals. Then our community can attend fundraisers, share events scheduled, and donate with confidence when knowing what this money is accomplishing.
Kirk: I feel our fire department is a very important component to our Township. We the people of the Township need to stand behind our fire department to make sure they have up to date equipment to do their job. With prices of everything increasing we need need to make sure we do whatever it takes to make that happen. Things that we know that works are fundraisers, grants and donations.
If elected as your trustee, my advisory board and I will think outside the box with opportunities to work and raise money for fire department.
Noel: As a Marshall Township Board member I’m very familiar with the struggles of the MTVFD to cover their operating costs throughout the year. The 2022 contract between Marshall Township and the MTVFD covers roughly half of their total needs for the year. The rest must be made up in fire runs being invoiced to insurance, grants and donations. I strongly encourage the public to make monetary donations throughout the year, attend your local VFD’s fish fry and fundraising events, donate water bottles to our volunteer firefighters, and perhaps consider joining your local VFD.
What is, in your opinion, the biggest issue facing Marshall Township?
Barrett: The biggest issue at this time is our fire department. While I am a stong supporter of our park, we have been blessed with some funding, through mostly grants, at this time. If this funding is used properly it could propel the Park to be more independent and closer to sustainability. On the other hand, wth our volunteer Fire department desperately in need of funds, I will help by "digging deeper" into various avenues of available funding to help remedy this situation while still helping our the Park and all other duties of the trustee office.
Kirk: I feel with the times we are in, it's money to keep everything going/running in our Township. If elected, as your trustee, I will work with my board, and our budget to get that done.
Noel: The newly minted Avoca Park has many needs, some critical, some not as critical. However the total needs far outweigh current funds by a large margin. The next Marshall Township Trustee must seek funding opportunities from all over to confront this large deficit.
Briefly explain why you feel you are the strongest candidate for this role.
Barrett: With over 40 years as a local businessman I have knowledge and experience in everything from balancing a budget, keeping balanced bookkeeping, to making money work harder for the good.
Some of my experience is property management for nealy 30 years, commercial and residential construction from dirt work through building renovations, underground utilities, etc. Planning, organizing, scheduling, and setting up weddings, parties, etc. All this knowledge and experience will help with finding funding, etc for the Avoca Park and the Fire department through public assistance. I am highly motivated and work well with contractors in a professional and efficient manner, as well with most people also. This is not a stepping stone to a political career for me, but an opportunity to preserve and help protect our township community. I don't just "talk the talk" but I do "walk the walk".
Kirk: I feel being retired I have the most time to give to the office and to the people of Marshall Township. I'm great at listening / working with people to make things happen.
Being a teacher for 40 years and a four-generation resident of Marshall Township, I'm here to stay and work for our community.
Noel: My 13 years’ experience as a county government Legal Assistant, along with my time on the Marshall Township Board, makes me uniquely suited to take on the challenges that township trustees face on a daily basis. For example, township assistance applications and investigations, mowing and fire contracts, weed liens, cemetery care, and much more. My role on the Marshall Township Board has allowed me to work closely on budgeting issues regarding the MTVFD and the Avoca Park and I believe my experience and knowledge would be a valuable asset to the township.
Candidate bios
Jan Kirk
Education: Graduate of Needmore High School in 1973. Graduate of IU with a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1977, master's degree in elementary education in 1980.
Employment: Taught elementary school for 40 years; retired in 2019.
Interests: Reading, camping, swimming, family and friends.
Chris Noel
Education: Associate degree of Applied Science Electronics Technology
Employment: Legal assistant 13 years in the Monroe County Legal Department, deputy auditor 3.5 years for Monroe County Auditor, reserve deputy under Monroe County sheriffs Sharp and Kennedy.
Memberships: Currently completing a four-year term on the Marshall Township Board. Appointed in early 2018 by then Republican Party Chair Chris May, and elected to serve 2019-2022, vice precinct committeeman.
Family: Wife Katie Noel, children Aria and Rowan. Resident of Marshall Township since 2009.
Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Three candidates for Marshall Township trustee
