Incumbent Fewell earns mayoralnod after cordial race with Swift
GREENFIELD — The race for the Republican primary nomination for mayor ended just as it started: a hug and a handshake between two candidates who have been nothing but friendly to one another.
On Tuesday, incumbent Mayor Chuck Fewell, who received nearly 67 percent of the vote and will represent the Republican Party in the general election in November, walked over to challenger Judy Swift and embraced her.
It was the capstone of an uncontentious campaign season between two candidates who share many of the same goals for the city.
Fewell captured 1,183 votes to Swift’s 599.
Fewell was feeling confident Tuesday night but was quick to mention he still needs to win the general election in order to serve a second term. He is so far uncontested, though the Democratic and Libertarian parties have until July 6 to slate a challenger.
“It’s really humbling,” Fewell said as results from the last vote center were posted at the Hancock County Courthouse Annex. “We ran a classy campaign, we ran a good campaign. We got our message out.”
New Greenfield-Central School Foundation director announced
GREENFIELD — Ginny Brown thinks she’s found her niche.
A 1982 Greenfield-Central High School graduate, Brown recently moved back to the community and has been appointed director of the Greenfield Central School Foundation, an organization that provides grants to local teachers for classroom projects.
Brown will fill the shoes of Myra Bleill, who recently retired and is credited with expanding the foundation since she took over the role in 2011. Brown wants to build on those roots and make more connections with alumni to raise money for Greenfield classrooms.
With a master’s degree in business administration and a background in both business and education, Brown said she’s excited about her new role.
“I’m loving it because I’m getting engrossed in the school system here, and that’s really where I’m wanting to be,” Brown said.
Brown worked most recently for Energizing Indiana, an energy-efficiency program, where she helped with community outreach and connecting with nonprofit organizations. Brown also has served as president and vice president of parent-teacher organizations in Warren Township, but she said for years the family wanted to move back to Greenfield for the sense of community and schools.
Mt. Vernon school officials announce new superintendent
FORTVILLE — Mt. Vernon Community School Corp. has a new leader.
Shane Robbins, superintendent of the Northwestern Consolidated School District of Shelby County since 2012, will take over from Bill Riggs on July 1. Riggs has been superintendent for 21 years.
Robbins signed a three-year contract that includes a $135,000 salary plus benefits during a special school board meeting Tuesday.
“We put the for-sale sign out today,” Robbins said, noting he and his family will be relocating to the Fortville area from Greenwood.
Robbins said after the meeting that he is ready to start but that his first 100-day action plan includes “look, listen, learn,” as he builds relationships with people in the district.
