NEW PALESTINE — Six Republican candidates walked into the New Palestine Convention Thursday night with a chance to be part of the New Palestine Town Council in 2024. However, only the top five vote-getters earned a spot on the ballot in the fall and join two independent candidates all vying for five open seats.
The six Republican candidates were (R) Bill Niemier, New Palestine Town Council at large (Incumbent); (R) Robert (Rocky) Cooper, New Palestine Town Council at large; (R) Ethan L. Maple, New Palestine Town Council at large; (R) Chad Molinder, New Palestine Town Council at large; (R) Teri Reed, New Palestine Town Council at large; and (R) Chris P. Wernimont, New Palestine Council at large.
When the votes were cast, the top five candidates with the most votes were Molinder (48 votes), Reed (47), Maple (46), Niemier (38) and Cooper (27). Those five names will now be on the ballot in the fall along with the two independent candidates, (I) Adam Axthelm, New Palestine Town Council at large and (I) Ryan Hartley, New Palestine Town Council at large.
Due to the fact six different Republicans signed up to run for the New Palestine Town Council’s five seats, the Hancock County Republican Party had to schedule the convention, which was held Thursday night at the United Methodist Church, 3565 South 500W, New Palestine.
A town convention is a specific party function, not a town function. The Republican Chair, Janice Silvey, appointed a convention chairperson, Debra Carnes, the Hancock County auditor who lives in the town. Carnes then appointed a secretary, Becky Bolander, who also lives in the town to oversee the convention.
Prior to the vote, Carnes noted it was great to see so many candidates coming out wanting to take part in local government, and she thanked each of them for stepping up and wanting to help guide the town of New Palestine.
“It’s never easy to put your name on the ballot, so we appreciate that each of you did that,” Carnes said.
Carnes gave each of the candidates five minutes to share with the voters who attended a chance to talk about why they’d make a good town council member.
For the past several years, the council has bickered relentlessly over major and minor town issues, even attacking each other personally, creating a toxic environment on the council and at meetings.
With five open seats, the opportunity to change the council was clearly popular.
The theme from all the new candidates including Niemier, the lone incumbent, was trying to find a way to move forward together.
Niemier, the first to speak, told the crowd it was difficult to be part of the town council over the past four years due to so much indecision and bickering, but that he was proud of the decisions he helped make when it came to leading the growing town.
“Decisions were made in the best interest of the town,” Niemier said before asking the people in attendance to give him a chance to run again.
Maple, who spoke next, told the people before the votes were cast that he’d like to be a part of the council because he has good leadership skills and wants a chance to help the council work collectively together for the best interest of the town.
“We need to move forward together,” Maple said. “There are a variety of paths in our future.”
Cooper, the third speaker, told the voters that, while he was fairly new to the town, moving to New Palestine a couple of years ago, his past experience working as a town official in Carthage was beneficial.
“I’ve got experience and I’ve made tough decisions,” Cooper said. “New Pal is growing and it’s growing fast.”
Reed, the next speaker, reminded voters she has attended many meetings this year and is already active in the town working with New Palestine Main Street and is currently part of the town’s Economic Development Committee.
“I live in the same house I was born in back in 1962,” she said. “My aunt was part of the council for 23 years and she taught me a lot including how to listen to what people want in the community… We need a council that will make solid decisions.”
Wernimont, who was the fifth candidate to speak, told voters he is currently a member of the New Palestine Planning Commission and noted New Palestine is growing but that is not necessarily a good thing.
“The greatest threat to our community is unmitigated growth,” Wernimont said.
When Molinder was the last candidate to speak, he told the voters that his 19 years of military service gives him unique leadership skills and that he wants to serve the community because New Palestine is a place he is raising his children.
“I want to help the council,” Molinder said. “I feel like I listen very well.”
In the end, the votes did not fall well for Wernimont, who ended up with the least amount of votes and will not get to move forward with the chance to be on the town’s council. Of the now seven names on the ballot, the five Republicans and two Independents, only the top five candidates will be on the council, which will be determined in the general election Tuesday, Nov. 7.
