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City GOP ticket complete with additions of Asbell, Nicholson
Putnam County GOP Chairman Beau Baird has filed documents appointing two Republican women to vacancies on the November ballot for the Greencastle City Council. Katherine Asbell will run at-large, while Tina Nicholson will vie for the Third Ward seat.
Asbell is the assistant principal at Tzouanakis Intermediate School and is a nearly 30-year Greencastle resident. Nicholson is a legal assistant for Co-Alliance Cooperative and has previously worked in the real estate and title industry. She is a lifelong Putnam County resident, having moved from Bainbridge to Greencastle in 1993.
Asbell joins Mark Hammer and Darrel Thomas in pursuit of three City Council seats city-wide. Nicholson joins David Masten (First Ward), Stacie Langdon (Second Ward) and Cody Eckert (Fourth Ward) as they seek to represent the city’s districts.
Twelve-year Greencastle Clerk-Treasurer Lynda Dunbar announced her candidacy for mayor in January, and she is joined by Mikayla Johnson, a former auditor for the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA), who is running for Dunbar’s current position.
With the addition of Asbell and Nicholson, the GOP ticket has a majority of women seeking office.
Baird expressed his excitement for the entire roster of Greencastle Republicans.
“I believe this is one of the most experienced and professional groups of municipal candidates assembled in my lifetime. Mayoral candidate Lynda Dunbar, an action-oriented, small business owner turned public servant, has unparalleled experience and knowledge that will make her an exceptional mayor.
“Mikayla Johnson is a graduate of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, with an undergraduate degree in accounting and master’s degree in leadership development. Her former role as an auditor for SBOA has equipped her to step right in to managing the city’s financial affairs.”
Baird continued, noting the Council candidates’ distinct qualifications.
“Our at-large candidates feature local accountant Mark Hammer, thought to be the longest-serving Council member in modern times, possibly since Greencastle had a City Council. Darrel Thomas served our county as the extension agent for over 30 years, having a positive impact on hundreds of our young people. Katherine Asbell has dedicated her professional life to the teaching of our children.
“Our ward candidates include life-long resident and former Council member David Masten, who has served the community in a number of business and professional roles over the years. Stacie Langdon, having recently retired from Putnam County Comprehensive Services, is completing her second term as the Second Ward representative, and has been incredibly active in the community. Tina, who has probably closed more Putnam County real estate transactions than anyone through her work at Abstract & Title, and most recently Quality Title, brings an eye for detail and an ability to bring people together that will serve the city well. Lastly, Fourth Ward Councilman Cody Eckert, who is responsible for the legislative priorities of a state agency as director of legislation and public policy, is a graduate of Notre Dame and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He is hitting his stride as a leader on the Council.”
In anticipation of the Nov. 7 election, Baird described the traits he sees represented in this group.
“This is a group that brings experience, thoughtfulness and professionalism in a manner that is second to none. They are putting themselves on the line to provide the services that are the responsibility of local government in the most competent, cost-effective manner possible, and they will be working hard for your support.”