NEW PALESTINE — Officials in the Town of New Palestine and the county Republican Party hope to fill a vacant seat on the town council at a party caucus next week, but so far, no one has officially filed to run for it.
The caucus will be 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at New Palestine Town Hall.
A caucus is a meeting during which registered members of a political party in a city, town or county meet to vote for their preferred candidate and conduct other party business.
In this instance, a council seat is open after the resignation Sept. 17 of council member Jan Jarson. The GOP party chair, Janice Silvey, has 30 days to fill the vacancy from the day of the official’s resignation.
As of Tuesday, Sept. 29, only one person had expressed an interest in the vacant council seat, but no one had officially applied for the spot by filling out and turning in the proper paperwork.
Anyone wishing to be selected for the position must fill out what is called an official CEB5 form, which Silvey will supply, and get the paperwork notarized then returned to Silvey by 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.
“I’d recommend anyone interested to bring me the paperwork since it’s a little late to mail things in,” Silvey said.
Anyone interested in being a New Palestine council member must live within the town’s boundaries.
Four precinct committee members will vote to fill the vacancy: Brandee Bastin, C.O. Montgomery, James Coovert and Marcia Parker. Bastin also is president of the town council.
The caucus is not expected to be a long process, with each candidate introducing themselves during a brief two- to three-minute presentation. The party committee will then vote for the person they feel is the best candidate.
Anyone interested in being on the council must reach out to Silvey via email at [email protected] or call her at 317-402-1356 to get the proper forms to apply for the position.
More information on the instructions to fill the position were to be posted at the town’s library, post office and at town hall.
Doors to the caucus, which is open to the public, will open at 6 p.m. Monday at the New Palestine Town Hall, with the caucus starting shortly after.
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New Palestine Town Council Caucus
When: Monday, Oct. 5
Where: New Palestine Town Hall
Time: Caucus starts 6:30 p.m.
Event is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Anyone wishing to apply for the vacant council seat must contact Republican Chair Janice Silvey at [email protected] or call 317-402-1356.
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