GOP fills vacancies, preps for more

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Janice Silvey

This article has been updated to correct a previous error regarding the competition Vernon Township Advisory Board candidate Anthony Buechler faced in this year’s election.

HANCOCK COUNTY – The county’s Republican Party has filled some vacancies for elected positions and is preparing for more.

Janice Silvey returns to the post of party chair, succeeding Steve Leonard, who died last month. Thomas Lopez replaced Leonard as Center Township trustee. Ethan Lawson replaced Silvey as vice chair of the county party. Anthony Scott will join Greenfield City Council to replace Gary McDaniel, who starts as a Hancock County commissioner in January. All appointments were made during a caucus earlier this month.

Another caucus is coming up for two more vacancies. McCordsville Clerk-treasurer Staci Starcher announced her resignation and intends to step down once her replacement is determined. Anthony Buechler, who ran unopposed in this year’s general election for a Vernon Township Advisory Board seat, has stepped down before his term starts.

Scott works in marketing and communications for Bosma Enterprises, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit organization that provides employment and training for people who are blind or visually impaired. He’s also a licensed minister with Greenfield Church of God. The Greenfield native will fill the remaining year of McDaniel’s city council term and plans to be on the ballot in May as well.

Anthony Scott

“I just have a servant’s heart and I wanted to find a way I can give back to the community that’s given me so much,” Scott said of his motivation for pursuing the city council opportunity. “…I care about the people and I want to do what’s best for the people. That’s what I believe the city council’s here for – is to serve.”

He brings nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector.

“In my work I also had to be very creative in finding solutions from limited resources,” he said. “I look forward to bringing that to Greenfield — finding creative solutions to make our community even better. I want all of Indiana to know what we in Greenfield already know — it’s a fantastic community with great people. It’s a great place to live and raise a family.”

Silvey is no stranger to leading the Hancock County Republican Party, having served as its chair for 10 years before Leonard started in 2021. Leonard was vice chair alongside Silvey for eight years.

“Steve and I always worked really close together and I just felt like I wanted to finish out what him and I had talked about,” Silvey said. “I just felt like I need to finish his term.”

Leonard ran unopposed for re-election this year for his Center Township trustee seat and lost his battle with cancer just hours after the November general election. Lopez was chosen to finish the term this year and fulfill the next four-year term starting next month.

Thomas Lopez

Lopez served on the Center Township Advisory Board since 2019, when a caucus selected him to fill Leonard’s board seat after he was chosen to succeed the late Ron Horning as trustee.

Lopez, a firefighter for the city of Franklin, said he’s drawn to township government out of a desire to be a voice for public safety. He added he’s always been interested in politics as well, often attending Hancock County Young Republicans meetings and other GOP events. Leonard reached out to him about joining the township board and was a mentor to him.

Before Leonard died, he delegated some responsibilities to Lopez regarding the nine cemeteries the township is responsible for, which Lopez said he looks forward to continuing overseeing. Poor relief, another township government responsibility, is a priority for him as well.

“I want to make sure we’re adequately getting to every citizen that needs assistance,” Lopez said.

Starcher announced her intention to step down as McCordsville clerk-treasurer with over a year left in her term. She said there are many reasons for her decision but that the main one is she wants to “move forward.” She declined to elaborate.

Buechler and two Republican incumbents ran unopposed for the Vernon Township Advisory Board’s three seats in this year’s general election after topping Jeffrey Augustinovicz in the primary. Buechler said he was encouraged to run for the spot by community members noticing the work he’s doing as commander of VFW Post 6904 in Fortville. He added he was excited about the opportunity and looking forward to joining the board, but later determined his commander responsibilities, particularly overseeing a major renovation at the post, would leave him unable to give both roles the attention they deserve.

“I needed to accept that I have my hands more than full with my job as commander of the post,” Buechler said. “I’m very humbled, very blessed, and I’m sorry I can’t do it.”

Silvey said the county GOP will have a caucus on Jan. 3 to determine Starcher’s and Buechler’s replacements. Those interested must live in the jurisdictions of the positions and complete a CEB-5, Declaration of Candidacy For A Vacant Office to be Filled By A Political Caucus. Forms must be turned in to Silvey at least 72 hours before the caucus.