Watchdog
Lebanon Home PageAdam Walker (Taxpayer Friendly)
Address: 722 N. West Street, Lebanon, IN 46052
Phone: (765) 894-9461 (calls no later than 8:30 PM please)
E-mail: awalkercentertwp@gmail.com
Website:
Watchdog Indiana Center Township Trustee Candidate Questions - 2014 Primary Election
1. What in your background prepares you to manage the Center Township delivery of services? ANSWER: I have previous experience working for Center Township Fire Department from February of 2008 until December of 2014. In that time period I have gained an understanding of how the township operates and functions. I feel that I could bring a fresh perspective and great enthusiasm to the position. I am currently a career Firefighter for the city of Lebanon. My work schedule requires me to work 24 hours on and 48 hours off. I feel that this schedule allows me the time needed to dedicate myself to the trustee position and the townships taxpayers.
2. How would you oversee the Center Township Fire Department operations? ANSWER: I would put in place a very driven fire chief with great qualities and values. We would both work to develop the best in-house structure, training, and tools available for the job at hand. I feel that through my experience in the fire service and also my past work experience with Center Township gives me knowledge and confidence in what is best for Center Township Fire Department.
3. How would you make certain the Center Township firefighters receive state-required training? BACKGROUND: The state EMS Certification Specialist reported on March 27, 2014, that the Center Township Fire Department has not met the certification requirements in Indiana Code 16-31-3 for the provision of emergency medical services. ANSWER: This is just one of many structural issues that the department needs to take care of and is currently neglecting its taxpayers by not doing so. I would make sure that the chief, in place, carries out his duties to keep the department up to date with required state certifications. The department needs to fill out the required online forms and submit the information to recertify every 2 years.
4. How would you deliver township assistance services? ANSWER: I would make myself available to meet with any Center Township taxpayers who may be in need of assistance services. I would also maintain a close working relationship with all community outreach programs to ensure all citizens' needs are being met.
5. What is Center Township’s proper cash balance as a percent of budget? BACKGROUND: The Center Township June 30, 2013, cash balance was 60.5% of the 2014 certified budget: see https://gateway.ifionline.org/report_builder/unit_reports/unitReports.aspx. ANSWER: To my knowledge this 60.5% is because of a fire truck being paid off prior to July of 2013, which shows a 23% in 2013's and a 40% in 2012’s report. After looking this over with a higher percent in talking cash balance of budget it shows that the township is putting money aside for a future capital purchase. In this case I don’t believe it is for a purchase of any sort but rather the reflection of the trustee’s agenda or lack of agenda. The preferred proper cash balance of budget in my eyes shouldn’t go much below or above 20% area. These are the type of things that should be discussed or public knowledge at board meetings. Instead of the bare minimum that is discussed about township business.
6. Would the public benefit if the Center Township Fire Department ceased to be a separate entity and became part of the Lebanon Fire Department? ANSWER: With my experience in the fire service, I believe Center Township, its taxpayers, and the City of Lebanon would all benefit from a merger. The current township fire protection tax is double what it currently is for citizens in the City of Lebanon. I feel the township currently provides inadequate services to its citizens, and if not for the automatic aid agreement, the citizens would not receive adequate services due to the response times by the township department.
7. Should Center Township merge with the City of Lebanon so that the unincorporated areas of Center Township become part of the City of Lebanon? ANSWER: I do believe the fire departments should merge. I feel at this time or the near future it is most beneficial for the fire departments to do so. In this case the taxpayers would all be under the same fire protection tax and be provided the best services possible. However, I do not believe there is a need for the township areas to incorporate with the City of Lebanon for several reasons. Foremost, I feel that the City of Lebanon is not prepared to provide the utilities and services required for a consolidation.
8. How would you provide better public access, including Center Township Board meetings notification? ANSWER: I would design a website and Facebook page where we could post information about current issues and when and where township meetings were being held. These would provide township citizens multiple ways to stay connected and better informed. I would also ensure that the required postings in the local newspaper and on township buildings are being followed.
9. Do you wish to make some additional comments about your candidacy? Do you have a campaign phone number and E-mail address? Do you have a campaign website? ANSWER: I want to thank you for taking your time to ask these questions and for your overall interest in this township election race. I look forward to this next month with getting to know many new people and feel I will benefit from either way this race goes. I’m bringing heart, desire, determination, and Center Township experience to this position currently and hopefully in the near future. I was born in 1986 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis to Dan and Kay Walker. I was raised in Lebanon, Indiana. I have a sister, Kirklyn Walker. My upbringing was family focused. My family was always together, doing fun things and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible. As a child, I attended Harney Elementary and graduated from the Lebanon school system in 2005. In 7th grade, I began spending summers working for Lamb Farms, detasseling corn. It was my first job and the next 3 summers were crucial to my maturity as a young man, instilling a hard work ethic and teaching me the importance of earning my own. Entering high school, I wanted to go to college to work in the CIA or FBI field of work. I enjoyed playing sports throughout my youth and participated in basketball, football, & track in high school. My 4 years in high school were life changing. In the fall of 2002, I lost one of his best friends in a four wheeler accident. Following that loss, in February of 2003, my father was on his way to work and killed in a vehicle accident. Following the passing of my father, I saw the tremendous support of my family by the community. I realized I needed to stay home and find a way to serve the people of our community. Before I knew it, high school was over and it was time for college. The summer out of high school, I worked for Triangle Asphalt being a labor hand. The following August, I attended Ivy Tech Community College for Fire Science. In 2007, I purchased the house I grew up in at 722 N. West St. Lebanon. I attended Ivy Tech for 2yrs. Meanwhile, I worked for the Robert Dietrick Co., located in Fishers, where my father had worked. I worked there for 4 years as a service technician learning the ways of the company. In 2008, I worked part time for the Center Township Fire Department. I resigned the first of the year because of my intentions to run for Center Township Trustee. I was hired by the Lebanon Fire Department in August of 2009 and am still currently employed here. In 2013, I earned the department's Firefighter of the Year Award. I am looking forward to my future continuing my role as a firefighter for the city and serving the community as Center Township Trustee.
This page was last updated on 04/05/14.