Council incumbents re-elected; newcomer joins them

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Republican Art Pepelea gets a admiring look from his wife Mary Jo after he won his race for Anderson City Council District 5, beating out three other challengers. John P. Cleary

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November 8, 2011

Council’s majority remains Democrat

By Melanie D. Hayes The Herald Bulletin The Herald Bulletin Wed Nov 09, 2011, 12:22 AM EST

ANDERSON, Ind. — Next year’s Anderson City Council won’t look much different.

The eight incumbents who sought re-election got their wishes, which left the Democratic party continuing to hold the majority. The ninth position will have a new face — Democrat Ty Bibbs in an at-large seat.

Democrat Rick Muir decided not to run for re-election, and that opened the seat up for a new face.

Returning for another four years will be: Democrats Rodney Chamberlain and David Eicks in at-large positions, Donna Davis in District 2, Ollie H. Dixon in District 4, Joe Newman in District 6, and Republicans Russ Willis in District 1 and Art Pepelea in District 5.

All incumbents had challengers, including three challenging Pepelea and seven total candidates in the at-large race. Twenty-one people ran for nine positions.

Bibbs, a newcomer, looks forward to learning from his fellow council members who have held those jobs for many terms.

“Those young people who ran this time, I’d like them to stick with it, be consistent and not be hardened,” Bibbs said. “Four years from now it could be them.”

Bibbs ran four years ago for the same position and lost.

“I was very pleased that the citizens continued to support me,” he said. “My first thought was I’d like to promise every single one of them that I will serve the city with honor and distinction.”

Bibbs said his main goal will be economic development.

“I’d also like to help improve the city’s image... and improve community pride,” he said.

Russ Willis won his first true election on Tuesday. When Councilman Mike Welch stepped down a year ago, Willis replaced him and decided he wanted to stay on.

“I feel fortunate,” Willis said. “I look forward to helping the new administration move the city forward.”

Willis said his goal for the next four years will be to keep the budget in line.

“We need to continue to provide the necessary services that government should provide — the key word being ‘necessary,’” he said.

Pam Jones came very close to being unseated by her challenger, Republican Dennis Adams. Jones defeated him by only 41 votes.

Jones said she wasn’t surprised by the close race, and doesn’t take her win for granted. She expected it because her challenger ran a good campaign, and so did she. And grass-roots campaigning played a role in both parties, she said.

“It’s been an honor to serve them the past four years,” she said. “I appreciate very much the fact that they bestowed that again on me for the next four years. I’m just thrilled to be there.”

Economic development is also her priority for her next term.

“The search for jobs has to be very important,” she said. “We have so many people who are suffering.”

Contact Melanie Hayes: 648-4250, melanie.hayes@heraldbulletin.com

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