NEW PALESTINE — The New Palestine Town Council is at full capacity once again after Republican Party precinct officials held a caucus Monday evening, electing Chris Lytle as the newest council member.
Lytle, a retired mixed martial artist, boxer and a veteran firefighter in Indianapolis, was the only candidate to meet all the requirements for the position, a party official said.
He received a unanimous vote to join the council right away from the four precinct committee members.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Lytle said he will be fiscally responsible with taxpayers’ money.
“I don’t mind spending money, but I will not waste it,” Lytle said. “That’s the way I want things run.”
Lytle will serve out the remainder of Jan Jarson’s term — three years and two months — after Jarson stepped down from the council Sept. 17.
Prior to the vote, Lytle, who has lived New Palestine for 15 years, told the precinct members he enjoys helping others and felt this was a good time to step up to help the town. The council endured nine months of turmoil during which it had to fire the town manager and replace the clerk-treasurer who recently resigned.
“I really love this small town,” Lytle said. “It wasn’t until recently when I started hearing negative things that I think have been taken care of that made me want to get involved, and I just want to make sure we keep going in the right direction.”
Lytle joins council president Brandee Bastin; vice president Clint Bledsoe; and council members Angie Fahrnow and Bill Niemier to round out the five-person council. All are Republicans.
“I think we have some great people already on the council,” Lytle said. “I have zero desire to do anything for my personal benefit. I just want to help the town that I live in.”
Niemier, who has known Lytle for years through the New Palestine High School wrestling program, said Lytle will be a good addition to the council.
“I am personally aware of Chris’ longtime involvement in this community,” Niemier said. “He’s been here and doing things for the community since he moved here, so everything he said sounds like a home run for the town.”
Farhnow agreed, saying Lytle will be a great addition.
“I’m so excited to work with him and to get things moving forward,” she said.
While a second person had applied for the position, county Republican Party chairwoman Janice Silvey noted that person did not meet all the requirements to be a candidate and so was ineligible.
Lytle, who was known as “Lights Out” from his career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and other mixed martial arts series, also has a foundation that promotes awareness for autism, suicide prevention, bullying, domestic violence, rape and sexual assault.
This is not his first foray into politics: He ran for the Republican nomination for state Senate in 2012 in a race won by Sen. Mike Crider.
Bastin, C.O. Montgomery, James Coovert and Marcia Parker were the precinct committee members who voted to add Lytle to the council.
Hancock County Superior Court 1 Judge Marie Castetter attended the caucus and swore Lytle into office immediately after the vote so he would be able to be part of the council meeting Wednesday evening, Oct. 7, at New Palestine Town Hall.
