Micki Simunek
BUCK CREEK TOWNSHIP — A township that’s working to keep up fire and emergency medical services with its surge in industrial development will get a new leader next year.
The Republican challenger who won the three-way primary race for Buck Creek Township trustee this week hopes to secure sustainable funding for the township’s fire department if she can maintain her success through the general election this fall.
Micki Simunek got 424 votes in the election, defeating incumbent Jack Negley, who got 352, and Kenny Simmons, who got 235.
No Democrats filed for the position in the primary, but the party will have an opportunity to select a candidate for the position in this November’s general election. Independent, Libertarian and minor party candidates will be able to join the ballot as well.
The 36 square miles making up Buck Creek Township on the county’s west side include Indianapolis Regional Airport and has drawn dozens of large industrial buildings over the past few years.
One of the township’s main responsibilities is providing fire protection and emergency medical services, which it does through the Buck Creek Township Fire Department’s two stations. The township is also responsible for pioneer cemeteries and assistance for township residents in need.
“It was absolutely a team effort,” Simunek said of her victory. “I had so many people — firefighters front and center, my campaign manager, treasurer; there are so many people that advised me, that counseled me, that offered advice, friendship.”
Simunek, who received an endorsement from the Hancock County Professional Firefighters Local 4787 Political Action Committee, said firefighters accompanied her on a door-to-door campaign five weekends in a row.
If successful in the general election, the township’s fire department and public safety needs are at the top of her list.
“We have got to have sustainable funding for the firemen, for the fire department,” Simunek said. “They have got to have more people. We’re in an unsafe position, both for even residential fires, but absolutely 100% for the big commercial industrial buildings. We do not have enough firefighters. The firefighters that we do have are working their cans off and hanging on by their teeth.”
She added she plans to pursue that funding with a fresh set of eyes leaving no stone un-turned.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be federal grants, I don’t know if it will be state funding, I don’t know if it will be a change in legislation that will allow funds for that to be used, but I will investigate fully,” she said. “…I will investigate every opportunity thoroughly, including working with the (Hancock) County Council.”
Simunek said she’d also secure a lawyer for the township to guide her and the township’s advisory board through legalities. She pointed out earlier this year that the township’s current administration hadn’t been advertising meetings and failed to meet on dates outlined in state law.
Additionally, she said she wants to explore teaming up with neighboring township governments in pursuit of better deals on products and services they all need.
Negley, who’s served as trustee for over a year, said he knew the race would be close with three candidates, but didn’t expect it to turn out the way it did.
“I am happy with the way I ran it,” Negley told the Daily Reporter in an email regarding his campaign, “although didn’t expect the negative campaign tactics I experienced, including someone out there that took 30 of my 50 signs the Friday night before the election.”
Negley has served as trustee for over a year after getting caucused into the position.
“I can always look back and know that I did my best in bringing in a payroll service, creating and maintaining a solid and transparent budget with both the career staff of firefighters and paramedics as a priority, all within the tax revenue I had available in best serving the citizens of Buck Creek Township,” he said. He added he’s had a positive experience working with Buck Creek Township Fire Chief David Sutherlin.
He will remain trustee through December.
“For the rest of the year I will continue the course of staying on budget and to continue serving the citizens of Buck Creek the best way possible with the taxpayer in mind,” he said.
Simmons said he was disappointed he didn’t win.
“But life goes on,” he added.
It was his first time running for public office and ultimately a positive experience.
“I learned some different things,” Simmons said.
Looking back on his campaign, he would have done some things different, he said, like arranging for mailers to come out earlier and enlisting a team to help.
“It was a one-man thing, really,” he said. “I had a few family members help with a few things.”
Simunek and Negley were worthy opponents, Simmons added.
“I think both of them were cordial to me and everything else, so I have no complaints there,” he said.
