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McElwee fills Bainbridge town council board vacancy

Friday, May 13, 2011
BY MICHAEL LOGLI Staff Writer

BAINBRIDGE -- Chuck McElwee received a call a day before the Bainbridge Town Council meeting at his office in the Manan Hearing Center at 102 E. Northfield Drive. It was from Bonnie Osborn, asking him if he wanted to be the new town council board member.

He readily accepted.

"I look forward to doing the best I can," McElwee said.

McElwee, 51, has lived in Bainbridge for seven years, but has lived in Putnam County for 15 years. McElwee and his wife built their own home in the town after moving from Heritage Lake, but McElwee is originally from West Frankfort, Ill. McElwee also has three children and a dog. McElwee is the owner of the Manan Hearing Center, and he currently has 19 employees at his office.

"He's actually the biggest employer in this town besides the high school," said Town Marshal Rod Fenwick.

The board had to fill the position after Naomi Barker turned in a letter of resignation for the second time on April 15 due to health and personal reasons. Richard Cope, board president, said the town only had 30 days to appoint a new board member, but there was no public notice for the vacancy.

"The last time we had this, we didn't advertise, we didn't pound on doors," Cope said, commenting on how word traveled at that time.

The last time the board filled a vacany between terms, it received eight to nine applications for the position, Cope said. This time, it received none.

As Barker's original term ends, McElwee can decide whether he wants to officially run for the position next term. For the moment though, McElwee said he sees little to change about the town and he has no particular issue that he wishes to promote.

"I'm really happy with the way things have gone," McElwee said, mentioning the recycling bin and walking trail as examples of positive changes in the town. "I like it here."

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  • I am going to take a guess on why Ms. Barker resigned, actually I dont have to guess because the article says a good point. "we didn't advertise""no public notice for the vacany""This time, it received none." The Bainbridge town board does what they want and when they want. Seems with self appointed members that you would not get any diversity on the board. More like people with the same ideals and same complaints about their neighbors. I can honestly understand why someone whom probably did not have the same views as the rest of the crew would resign. Not quite sure but I do believe there has to be a public notice of the opening so people who want to be involved can try, but of course they would still have to be chosen by the board in the end. The Town board sounds more like a POA for the town of Bainbridge and I am sure they are just as shady.

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Fri, May 13, 2011, at 7:54 AM

  • Yes, a unhealthy situation at the very least. Board members should be selected by popular election at a special board meeting advertised well in advance. Nominations or applications should be accepted and then voted on at the special meeting. Currently the board members hand pick the new members and select them according to their own agenda, not necessarily in line with what the majority of the population wants or needs. Not a healthy situation indeed.

    -- Posted by BbridgeJC on Fri, May 13, 2011, at 1:04 PM

  • It is my understanding that the board has to appointment someone within 30 days. After doing some research of my own I found that the board was perfectly legal with the way they proceeded. I also found out that their meetings are open to the public and they have been encouraging people to attend. I have learned first hand that the people saying things are only repeating and sometimes changing what they hear it is not what is being said at the meetings. So before condemning the board go to a meeting and show you care! I for one am very proud of the town of Bainbridge and what they have accomplished. Thank you town of Bainbridge and the town board for making our town look nice!

    -- Posted by Bbridgevoter on Fri, May 13, 2011, at 1:20 PM

  • *appoint

    -- Posted by Bbridgevoter on Fri, May 13, 2011, at 1:23 PM

  • The Town board in Bainbridge has been doing an amazing job. They have made Bainbridge a much better place to live in. They do things the right way and i don't doubt that at all. People that are complaining can go sit and watch a meeting as it is open to the public, and they ask for public comment. So lets stop complaining behind their back and say something to them!

    -- Posted by northputnamcougars! on Fri, May 13, 2011, at 3:15 PM

  • Whether or not they are doing things right, it is unacceptable to not make an announcement about an opening on a public board and just picking someone that they know.

    -- Posted by anonymous101 on Fri, May 13, 2011, at 6:15 PM

  • Next the town will be renamed "Hartmanville"

    -- Posted by jakeboy on Fri, May 13, 2011, at 11:36 PM

  • Why would I stand back and applaud them for doing their job, I am sorry but bainbridge is what of the most poorly ran towns in the county. Whether it be from the way over paid Utility Superintendent to the oddness that Jason Hartman has not ran for relection in years. Color me silly but I cannot remember the last his name was on a ballot or a sign in some ones yard. Heck most of the people think he is ripping the town off and then smiling about it. Not sure it would be called Hartmanville though since a man with that same last name ripped off man of the towns people years ago. Maybe New Carmel would be a name that the town board would like. AS for the legitimacy of the practice of appointing our friends I believe I would like to see some actual proof of that.

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Sat, May 14, 2011, at 8:02 AM

  • Oh My Goodness you really need to get your facts straight! I voted for Mr. Hartman and gee his name has been on the ballot go to the court house all of those things are on file and you can look at them!!! You can also seek the appointment was perfectly legal!! What a fool you will look like when you have to admit you are WRONG but by the way you run your mouth I can assume you are not man/woman enough to see out the truth and admit being wrong. I do believe Jason's dad paid all of that money back and what a weak person you are to judge Jason based on his Dad. Based on your behavior I would say your parents weren't great people either! Get your facts straight before running off at the mouth!

    -- Posted by Bbridgevoter on Sat, May 14, 2011, at 10:00 AM

  • Well Bbridgevoter he never paid my family back for the money he took from them so maybe you should get your facts straight.

    -- Posted by jakeboy on Sat, May 14, 2011, at 10:05 AM

  • He never paid anyone, he left town in a hurry, but that shouldn't have any reflection on his son.

    -- Posted by BbridgeJC on Sat, May 14, 2011, at 12:09 PM

  • I did not say it had a reflection on his son. I know you have a single focused brain so I will enlighten you to the context of my writing. "Not sure it would be called Hartmanville though since a man with that same last name ripped off man of the towns people years ago." Someone ( means some other person., A man with same last name,still not refered to hartman, ripping of the the towns people, well you may have got me there, with that one. You must be one of those subserviant people that like to be told what to do and cant think for yourself. Heads up this is not CARMEL doesnt even come close, we have one gas station and two dollar stores, Hm we must be thriving..lol dumb people make my brain hurt.

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Sun, May 15, 2011, at 7:18 AM

  • obviously you don't use your brain enough then.

    -- Posted by northputnamcougars! on Wed, May 18, 2011, at 4:29 PM
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