Published: October 05, 2008 11:59 pm         

Election '08: Indiana House District 44

Variety will be the spice of this year’s race for Indiana’s 44th District House of Representatives seat.

Incumbent Rep. Amos Thomas of the GOP faces former Greencastle Mayor Democrat Nancy Michael as well as Libertarian Darrell Goldman of Bainbridge.

District 44 covers all of Putnam County and parts of Clay and Parke counties as well as two precincts in Vigo County.

Thomas’ brother, John, held the District 44 seat 24 years and nephew Andy had it for four.

Thomas finished out the final two years of Andy’s term as the latter accepted a position with the Indiana Attorney General’s office. Thomas then won his own two-year term in 2006.

The 78-year-old Thomas counts 51 years as a Clay County-area attorney among his attributes. “I think that with my experience in business and in the Legislature for two years, I’m best qualified to be elected again,” he said.

An avid cyclist, Thomas rode 75 miles for his 75th birthday, and despite back surgery last year, still rides 45 to 60 miles a week.

“All of my ancestors have lived to be old people,” he said. “I have a lot more productive years left in me.”

Thomas, a Rockville High School graduate, spent 1952 through 1954 in the U.S. Air Force after earning his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and completing ROTC there. Leaving active duty service as a 1st lieutenant, he continued on in the Indiana Air National Guard for another two years while going to law school at IU.

And for the next 51 years, Thomas worked with his brother, John, in their Brazil law firm, serving as board attorney for organizations ranging from the Clay County Commissioners and County Council, to the Van Buren School Corp., Clay Civic Memorial Foundation, City of Brazil, towns of Knightsville, Staunton and Center Point, as well as the Clay County Farm Bureau Co-op and numerous other not-for-profit charitable groups.

Along the way, the Rotarian has scored 51 years of perfect attendance at the Brazil club, volunteering as a board member on the YMCA, Clay Youth League and through Brazil’s First United Methodist Church on whose board of directors he serves as chair.

“Everyone is concerned about the economy. Jobs and the economy,” Thomas said, noting that the financial woes of a nation need to be considered when looking at those of the state.

“I think we’re the only state in the Midwest that doesn’t have a deficit,” he said. “We’re in the black.”

And while Thomas said Indiana has “gained more jobs that we’ve lost,” the key to developing the economy lies in making the climate one in which businesses want to stay and grow.

Thomas cited endorsements from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the Indiana Teachers Association and the Indiana Manufacturers Association as evidence he can do that.

Another issue on the minds of voters is property taxes, a big issue that despite changes made this year still has people unhappy.

Thomas said he is in favor of the property tax caps introduced this year.

“I’m for the caps and I’m for putting them in the constitution,” he said, noting that long-term reforms on state expenditures will be just as important in weighing tax reform as property tax cuts. “People want the services but they want someone else to pay for them.”

And while Michael disagrees with Thomas on the issue of property tax caps, she said it’s the district’s need for her overall experience and voice that is pushing her to run.

“I really believe that I have a voice that is not heard a lot at the Statehouse level,” the former Greencastle mayor said.

Michael, 48, is a Putnam County native, graduating from North Putnam High School before earning a bachelor of science in business management and administration from Indiana University.

Her first job in public service was as a payroll and purchasing clerk for the Indiana State Auditor from 1983 to 1986.

“This all comes full circle,” she said of her run for a spot in the Legislature after beginning as a state employee.

Following that, Michael went on to work as a payroll clerk for the Indiana Department of Corrections at the Putnamville facility between April and November of 1986, winning the Putnam County Clerk of the Circuit Court and serving in that capacity from 1987 to 1990.

Michael worked in the private sector for a number of years before being elected mayor of Greencastle from 1996 until 2007, at which point she earned the spot she currently holds on the Putnam County Council.

“I’m running because I believe my experience and my qualifications are what are needed in the Statehouse,” she said.

Michael was born and raised on a Putnam County dairy farm, spending her first 23 years there before the next 25 in Greencastle, she said.

“Growing up on that farm gave me my foundation,” she said.

Looking at the makeup of the current Legislature, Michael noted most are “wonderful public servants,” but said they lack executive experience in the details of running small towns and counties.

“I’m excited to bring that voice,” she said, noting that her experience with local budgets and operations gives her a realistic view of legislative impact.

“The most obvious one is property tax reform,” she said.

Michael said she does not support making a constitutional amendment for property tax caps this session.

“We need to know the long-term effects of these property tax cuts,” she said, explaining that local governments need revenue to grow.

Which, she argues, can lead to more jobs.

“Jobs and the economy…” she said, noting another major concern of her district.

As a mayor and now county council member, Michael said she has spent the past 12 years fighting for improved infrastructure in her area.

Without basic necessities like water lines, DSL and utilities, corporations simply pass through the area on their way elsewhere.

District 44, with numerous small towns, contains “some of the areas that people don’t always think of first” when it comes to locating plant facilities.

But making sure the area continues to attract jobs with living wages is a top priority of hers.

Libertarian Darrell Goldman of Bainbridge, a newcomer to the political scene, said he’s running to get the word out about his party’s platform.

“I would encourage people to go to the Libertarian Party Web sites and see what the party is all about,” said the 55-year-old employee of the Quaker Chemical Co. at Nucor Steel in Crawfordsville.

Goldman encourages voters to “use their imagination” and think about what life would be like with an additional 55 percent or more of their income at their disposal.

“…without all of those taxes,” he said. “People really are capable of taking care of themselves.”

Goldman blames most of the state- and federal-level problems on “bloated governments.”

“I think one of the problems in this country is that people don’t trust their governments anymore,” he said, citing his faith in the Constitution and the principles it espouses.

Goldman graduated from South Knox High School before earning an associate’s degree in chemistry from Vincennes University and a bachelor in science from the University of Southern Indiana.

When asked of his political experience, Goldman notes his 55 years as an American citizen.

“I’ve been a Libertarian for 10 years and have financially supported my party, but I’ve always felt guilty about not offering more of my time,” he said.

And regarding the traditional two-party system, Goldman recounts the nation’s first president’s prophecy.

“George Washington said parties would be the downfall of the country,” he said.

Goldman said the Libertarians have been at “the forefront of property tax reform,” advocating “incremental changes” with the long-term goal of total elimination of the tax.

Goldman said if elected, he will measure every proposed bill against the backdrop of the Indiana and American constitutions.

Brian M. Boyce can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or brian. boyce@tribstar.com.



Candidate bios

Amos Thomas

Age: 78

Education: Rockville High School, 1948; Indiana University-Bloomington, BA, 1952; Indiana University-Bloomington, JD, 1956

Experience: U.S. Air Force, 1952-1954 (1st Lieutenant), Indiana Air National Guard, IU ROTC; 51 years practicing law in Brazil, Thomas & Thomas Attorneys; Brazil Planning Commission; attorney for Clay County Commissioners, Clay County Council, Van Buren School Corp., Clay Civic Memorial Foundation, City of Brazil, Town of Knightsville, Town of Center Point, Town of Staunton, Clay County Farm Bureau Co-op; a deputy prosecuting attorney; a public defender; Brazil Rotary Club; YMCA Board; charter member of the Clay Youth Baseball League; coached Little League Baseball, YMCA football, YMCA basketball; certified lay speaker for the United Methodist Church; board of directors for the Southern Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church; First United Methodist Church in Brazil, chairman of board; former director, Wabash Valley Boy Scouts of America.

Family: wife, Mary (deceased), six children, 12 grandchildren.



Nancy Michael

Age: 48

Education: North Putnam High School, 1978; Indiana University, BS, 1983.

Experience: Mayor of Greencastle, 1996-2007; Putnam County Council (Greencastle Twp.), 2007; Putnam County Clerk of Circuit Court, 1987-1990; licensed agent and customer service rep, 1993-1995; payroll clerk, Indiana Department of Corrections, Putnamville, 1986; payroll/purchasing clerk for Indiana state auditor, 1983-1986.

Family: husband, Steve, two children, Peter and Mary.

Web site: www.nancymichael44.com



Darrell Goldman

Age: 55

Education: South Knox High School, 1971; Vincennes University, AS, 1973, University of Southern Indiana, BS, 1976

Experience: Citizen for 55 years; member of Libertarian Party, 10 years; employed at Quaker Chemical Co., Nucor Steel; member of the Civitans.

Family: father and mother, Wade and Virginia Goldman; sister, Sharon Martin; nephews and nieces