Responding to false information regarding Lind election

You have been given false information concerning my past service on the Town of Lind town council. I would like to present the correct information and explain why I am seeking election to that body.

We moved to Lind in the fall of 2007. Early 2008, then mayor Larry Koch asked me to complete the term for a council member who had resigned. He also asked me to serve as the representative from Lind on the Adams County Development Council.

During that time period Mayor Koch also appointed Paula Bell to fill a vacated council seat. The end of that term coincided with the election for mayor that pitted Mayor Koch against Jamie Schmunk. I was not willing to serve another term under Mayor Koch and did not run in the election.

At the beginning of the next term Linda Derrik resigned. The council, which included Paula Bell, filled the seat with Larry Koch, even though the majority of citizens in Lind had just voted him out of office. Shortly thereafter Jim Elkington resigned and I was appointed to complete his term. In both cases I finished the term. Although I did not run for election, I did not quit as has been reported.

These are some of the basic points that are behind my candidacy:

Council members are responsible for the finances of the town. They must have at least some grasp of how budgets work. My degree is in accounting and I earned 2 CPA certificates. Many years ago I taught Governmental Accounting in the University of Arkansas system.

It is against state law for a town to extend credit to it’s citizens. People who don’t pay their utility bills on time are asking the rest of the ratepayers to subsidize them.

That was the practice for many years in the past but no longer. Council members especially should not be guilty of running past due utility bills.

Council members are responsible for the ordinances governing the population and must abide by those ordinances. If one votes that all dogs must be licensed then it is incumbent on that person to license his/her dogs.

The primary goal of any council member should be to promote the town. Any other agenda disqualifies that person from serving on the council. I have worked to better the town since we moved here; the Lind Community Garden is one example.

Mayor Schmunk has done an incredible job in the face of constant, often irrational, opposition. I would like to see what we can accomplish with a town council that supports the mayor. Lind can be a vibrant, viable community again but it will require positive leadership.

Thank you,

John D. Claypool, Lind