Split council looks to work together

With a five-member city council, the City of Greencastle has seen a 3-2 Democrat-to-Republican split for the last eight years.

Moving to a seven-member council in 2016, the split will remain a narrow 4-3 in favor of the Democrats.

But in listening to the victorious candidates after Tuesday's city election, party labels will likely be put aside in January, just as they have been in the past.

New at-large Councilman Dave Murray, a Democrat, said in looking at his fellow council members, he sees a good group that can move the city forward.

"I think we have a chance to have a council that will reach across the aisle," Murray said. "I don't think there's going to be partisanship. I think the voters seem to have recognized that."

The three at-large council seats will be filled by Republican Mark Hammer (1,187 votes), Murray (920) and Democrat Gary Lemon (832), who beat out Republicans Harry Maginity (782) and Wally Hinkle (744).

In the wards, it was an even split for the parties, with Democrats Adam Cohen and Steve Fields taking the First and Third Wards, respectively, and Republicans Stacie Langdon and Tyler Wade taking the Second and Fourth Wards.

Across the board and across the aisle, however, there was a spirit of cooperation on Tuesday evening.

Hammer, the senior-most member of the council with 20 years representing the Second Ward, tried something new this time around by running for an at-large position. Even though his fellow at-large councilmen are Democrats, Hammer said he had an inkling things might go that way.

"I'm not surprised at the vote totals for all the at-large people. I kind of felt like that was the way it was going to end up, and I'm looking forward to working with Dave and Gary as fellow at-large members, as well as the four ward candidates who won," Hammer said.

Looking at the makeup of the board, Hammer was more interested in the size of the new council than its party split.

"It will be very interesting to see the dynamics of a seven-member council," Hammer said.

Lemon, likewise, said he is interested in what happens with the council and the city moving forward.

"I hope we all work together and keep Greencastle moving forward," Lemon said. "It's a great city and I just want to keep the momentum going forward. I've been elected at-large and I view the whole city. We're going to try to do what's best for the whole city, not just a particular section."

In the First Ward, Cohen, a two-term councilman and current council president, defeated Republican Danny Mesecher 119-102.

"I feel honored and privileged that the citizens entrusted me to keep moving the city forward," Cohen said. "Despite a little bit of partisan rhetoric that I found disappointing during this election, that is not the way this council works. We have not had a split vote in the last seven years. I think when we get in there, we don't look at each other that way. It's about creating the best community for the citizens of Greencastle."

In the Second Ward, Langdon scored a resounding 514-290 win over a fellow newcomer, Democrat Brian Cox.

"I am new to this political thing and I am so excited to serve with this group of people in the next four years," Langdon said. "I think Greencastle has a bright future ahead of us."

Fresh off a conversation with Langdon, who will technically be across the aisle, new Third Ward Councilman Fields said those labels are inconsequential.

"I said before this started that I ran as a Democrat, but this is not about political parties. This is about people and about citizens," Fields said. "We've got a group of people that I feel can work together and will work for the steady improvement and continued progress of Greencastle."

Fields outpaced Republican Harold Barger in the Third Ward race, 208-132.

In Fourth Ward, it was Wade, the incumbent, getting the better of Democrat Tanis Monday, 191-125.

"First, hats off to Tanis Monday for running a good campaign," Wade said. "I'm a huge Tanis Monday fan. I value her knowledge and experience and hope she stays involved."

Calling his fellow council members a "good group of folks," the 26-year-old is happy that he'll no longer be the new guy.

"Certainly happy to win, and I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of the Fourth Ward," Wade said. "I'm looking forward to not being the 'young guy' any more. Youngest by age, yes, but not experience."

Wade then had a bit of fun at the expense of a pair of council newbies in their 60s.

"And I won't hold Gary's (Lemon) and Dave's (Murray) youth and inexperience against them," he laughed.

Assessing the entire evening, one of those council rookies commended the voters of Greencastle for the choices they made on Tuesday.

"As I've assessed the quality of the candidates of both parties, I think the voters have been very discerning. I think they've done their homework," Murray said. "As I said in my final remarks at the debate, we're looking for positive, passionate and creative people to serve in office. The voters at the local level are very discerning about all that."