Adam Axthelm, Independent, running for New Palestine Town Council
NEW PALESTINE — Seven candidates for the New Palestine Town Council will be dwindled down to the top five during the general election set for Tuesday, Nov. 7. There are five Republican candidates and two Independents on the ballot giving residents in New Palestine a larger than normal pool of future council members to choose from.
The candidates are the lone incumbent Bill Niemier, Republican, New Palestine Town Council at large; Robert (Rocky) Cooper, Republican, New Palestine Town Council at large; Ethan L. Maple, Republican, New Palestine Town Council at large; Chad Molinder, Republican, New Palestine Town Council at large; Teri Reed, Republican, New Palestine Town Council at large; Adam Axthelm, Independent, New Palestine Town Council at large and Ryan Hartley, Independent, New Palestine Town Council at large.
Axthelm has been involved in local government working on several commissions as well as a member of the board of zoning appeals. He said with multiple open seats up for grabs on the council, now seemed like a good time to run for the town’s main governing body.
“I just wanted to step up and participate at the next level,” Axthelm said. “I just want to do my part for the community and I’m hopefully going to get a chance to help take care of the town’s business.”
Hartley, who works for the county highway department, has attended several council meetings and said he wants to serve the community in a larger way.
“I went to New Palestine High School and my wife and I just built our forever home in New Palestine so we have a vested interest in the town,” Hartley said. “I care about what happens here.”
Hartley already knows several of the town employees after working with them on road projects in the area and feels he can fit right in.
Niemier is the only council member among five current council members who decided to run again. He noted even after four years of being a part of a council that tended to bicker more than it did deal with community issues, he felt there is work to be done and decided to seek a second term. Niemier is a real estate attorney has been a long time community servant. Prior to serving four years on the town’s council, he was on several school boards with the Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County.
“I think our biggest responsibility is to manage the growth here in a positive way,” Niemier said. “With at least four new members coming on board I do hope to be re-elected so I can help everyone get acclimated.”
Niemier is on record saying it’s been difficult to work on a council where everyone seemed to disagree on nearly every issue and then turned those issues into personal attacks. Niemier noted he’s had to make some difficult decisions, but the decisions he’s made were with the town’s best interest at heart.
Cooper, who moved to New Palestine three years ago, notes his past experience working as a town official in Carthage was beneficial and he feels that experience can help him make some tough decisions if needed.
“New Pal is growing and it’s growing fast,” Cooper said. “I did some good out in Carthage and hopefully I can do some good here as I think I can bring some common sense.”
Maple, who serves as a local pastor for a Mt. Comfort Church and also in Philadelphia says he wants to be a part of the council because he has good leadership skills and wants a chance to help the council work collectively together for the best interest of the town.
“There are a variety of paths in our future and I want to help lead in the most positive direction possible,” Maple said. “I want to listen, learn and lead people.”
Molinder, a 19-year veteran of military service, noted that experience gives him unique leadership skills and that he wants to serve the community because New Palestine is a place he loves and is raising his children.
“I want to help the council,” Molinder said. “I feel like I listen very well.”
Reed, like many of the candidates running, has attended several council meetings and has noted she is already active in the town. Reed works with New Palestine Main Street and is also currently a part of the town’s Economic Development Committee.
Her aunt, Barb Mattingly was part of the town’s council for 23 years and Reed noted Mattingly taught her a great deal including how to listen to what people want in the community.
“We need a council that will make solid decisions based upon what people want,” Reed said.
