Dyer Voters in theTown ofBurlington have a choice in all races, except for town judge.

Progressive party candidate John C.Adams is unopposed for that position. But for clerk-treasurer and town council, voters have a choice.

Conservative party candidates are: Tammy Dyer for clerk-treasurer, and Robert "Bob" Davis, Mark Keen and Frederick "Fred" Michael for town council.

Other Progressive party candidates are: Christy Shepherd for clerk-treasurer; and L. Armstrong, Teddy A. Huffer and Stan Moore for town council.

Clerk-Treasurer

Tammy Dyer is a life-long resident of Burlington. She has served as town clerktreasurer for the past five years.

Dyer believes her business administration background has served her well in the clerk-trea- surer'sposition, where she manages all of the town finances and wastewater utility finances.

"This ismuchmore than a clerical position," she said.

"The clerk-treasurer has to be up on current state laws, particularly local government, and knowhowto prepare a budget. The clerk-treasurer handles all of the payroll processes, administers all of the wastewater utility processes, invests the town's monies, prepares required annual reports, and generally keeps the records for the town.

Shepherd Dyer considers her biggest challenge to be "seeing that all of the legislative changes are carried out and thatwe are always currentwith the laws, while protecting the town's financial position.With reduced revenues it will be more important than ever that we manage our finances effectively so thatwe do not have to cut services."

The clerk-treasurer is the chief financial officer of the town," added Dyer. "The clerk-treasurer is elected and works along with council, not for council. This provides a balance between the powers to authorize and the powers to spend.

If re-elected clerk-treasurer,Dyer said she "will continue to protect the town's financial position and see thatBurlington caries on as a viable, small community."

Dyer and her husband,Bob, have two sons. She takes continuing education specific to clerk-treasurers through the Indiana League ofMunicipal Clerks&Treasurers.

Armstrong Christy Shepherd believes voterswant "trust and confidence in the people leading the town."

"I want to see positive decisions made with the town's best interest in mind at all times," she said.

Shepherd believes her coll ege background and business experience will be helpful in the clerktreasurer's position. Through previous jobs she has gained human resources andmanagement experience.

"I'm an excellent candidate for this position because ofmy experience in budgeting, payroll, time management and money management," said Shepherd. "I'm bringing a lot to the position right from the start."

Shepherd said she would like to see new opportunities come to Burlington that may have been overlooked in the past.

"Iwant to see the town progress, but still maintain its conservative values," she said.

"I'man honest, hardworking individual. I've always pridedmyself in making decisions that benefit everyone. If elected,myNo. 1 concern will be to do the job and do it well, to the best of my ability. My youth canbe anassetbecause Imay have different ideas and different ways to look at things that hopefully will save the towntime andmoney."

Davis "I definitely want to be a voice for the town and want residents to feel comfortable in discussing with me whatever is on theirmind," she concluded.

Shepherd is a single mother of a son. She has resided in Burlington all but five years of her life and is employed in retail.

CouncilAt-Large

JoeL.Armstrong has resided in Burlington nearly all of his life. He has been involved in the family business, Armstrong Drilling, Inc., since 1970, and is the present owner/operator. He and his wife, Betty, have four children and five grandchildren.

"Running the town is a business and as a business owner, my experience should be an asset as a council member," said Armstrong. "When you run your own business you have tomake decisions and answer for the decisions youmake."

Huffer Armstrong believes challenges facing the town are keeping the sewer system up-to-date and keeping a handle on crime.

"We have no need for a public water supplyinthe town,"he added. That is one of the reasons that motivated himto seek election.

"Afewyears ago the current administration initiated trying to get a publicwater systemin town andmy running mates and I do not believe there is a need for one," saidArmstrong. "Partly out of that concern, it motivated us to become involved and run for the town council.

Armstrong said he would like to see growth inBurlington, but not at a cost to the current residents.

"We are a community that is growing older," he said. "Our citizens, many who live on fixed incomes, don't need additional costs. We don't want to put an additional burden on them. Iwould like to see usmaintainwhatwe have and try to keep from borrowing money, another burden on the citizens."

Armstrong said he is also in favor of the town saving money to make needed upgrades to the sewer system.

Armstrong looks for possible town growthwith a conservative attitude. He also believes it is important to listen to business owners.

Keen "Business owners need to be listened to, as well as the citizens," said Armstrong. "Our businesses have a big impact on thewell-being of the town and I want them to know that they will be listened to and consideration will be given to their thoughts and ideas."

Robert "Bob"Davis has served on the town council as president for the past year. He was appointed to the council after the death of his brother, Dick Davis, last December.

"I have 12 months of experience as a councilman," he said. "I'm the only candidate with any previous council experience. I've gained a lot of knowledge during the past year."

"I'm concerned driving through other small towns how many of themare drying up," said Davis. "I want to help our businesses and improve the image of our town."

"When I came on as council president,Burlington didn't seemto get any grants," continued Davis. "We now have a grant writer who works with us.We know there are many, many grants out there. Through grantswe hope to improve the image of our townwith possibly new sidewalks and curbs, street lighting, and surface drainage. There are grants available and we intend to go after them."

Michael Davis's vision for the town is good, orderly growth.

"We've had some growth," he said. "And we're always open to new businesses. Small business is the key, though.Wewant to do anything we can to entice small businesses and newresidents."

Davis has resided in Burlington all but 14 years of his life.His familyownedDavisElectric inBurlington formany years.He laterworked as an electrician atCuneo Press and Stellite Corp., both inKokomo.He is nowretired.

"I've always had Burlington at heart," he said. "I'm deeply dedicated to the town."

Davis has two stepchildren and three stepgrandchildren with his wife, Marian.

TeddyA. Huffer has resided in Burlington for nearly 40 years. He retired from Kingston Products, Kokomo, after 32 years. After that he served as Carroll County Surveyor for a four-year term and then worked nine years as a state drivers examiner for the Bureau ofMotorVehicles.

Moore He and his wife, Linda, have two daughters and five grandchildren.

If elected, Huffer wants to see that things are done in the community that he believes are not currently being done adequately, such as streetmaintenance andworking with business people.

"Instead of hindering new businesses, we need to do allwe can to bring them in and foster growth," saidHuffer. "We need toworkwith people and be more business oriented - try to help business owners do things and not hold themback."

Huffer said the biggest challenge facing the town is "having faith in the officeholders and protecting our tax dollars."

Huffer said he also wants open meetings.

"I want nothing hid," said Huffer. "I'm honest and upfront and I won't pull anything behind people's backs. I will have meetings when people can attend."

"I have a desire and willingness to do the job," he said, "I have experience with government. While serving as county surveyor I lowered my operating budget 15 percent. That was practically unheard of."

"I'm a hard worker," Huffer concluded. "I've proven that through church and the Kiwanis Club. I'll put the same effort forth as a councilmember."

Mark Keen said he is not a politician, "I just want to help the town and I feel I can do that," he said.

I'm not running for money or stature, this is about where I live," Keen said. "I like it here and feel it is time to step up. I work hard at everything I do and I'll do the same for the town if I'melected."

Keen is sales manager for I.S.F. Signs in Indianapolis.

He said as a sales manager with people working under him, it is important that everyone work as a team.

"We can accomplish so much more when we work together," he said.

He believes that is one of the town's downfalls.

"The way I see it, people aren't listening to each other. Financially the town is in good shape, not like other small towns. But we need cooperation."

Keen said Burlington "is never going to grow, grow, but to keep our youth here, we have to make it so they will want to stay. Keep it a good, clean, safe town."

He believes it is important to beautify the town so that peoplewill want to live inBurlington.

"I want my neighbors to care about this town asmuch as I do," he said.

Keen alsowants to keep the businesses the town has intact and support them.

"The town is the people, but it is also the businesses because we wouldn't have a town without the businesses," he added.

He is in favor of going after money that is out there to help the town.

Keen wants the voters to know that ifhe is electedthedaysofbuddy, buddy are over.

"I don't believe in that," he said. "Everyone should have an opportunity. If something needs to be done in town,we'll get bids to keep it fair to all."

"The people of Burlington know me and know how hard I work," concludedKeen. "Iwill continue to do so if elected. I've invested a lot here. This is a good community, a good town - just a good place to live."

Keen has resided in Burlington for 23 years. He and his wife, Annette, have one daughter.

Frederick "Fred"Michael is a lifelong resident of the Burlington community. He is retired from Chrysler Corp., where he was employed 37 years. He and his wife, Sherry, have two sons.

Michael wants to see the town's census numbers up.

"After the changewith theCutler andBurlington addresses forE-911, the town lost residences.Wewant to correct those numbers and Bob (Davis) and Tammy (Dyer) are currently attending school so this can be done before the next head count in 2010. The numbers are important because revenue coming back to the town is based on those numbers."

Michael wants to maintain Burlington Community Park and keep it as one of the best in the state for the size of the town.

Michael would also like to see the town upgraded and beautified with curbs and sidewalks and street lighting.

"We need grant money to improve the look of the town," he said. "With the economy theway it is,we can't expect a lot of growth so for additionalmonieswe'll have to rely on grants."

"I'mdedicatedtothe townandalwayshavebeen," saidMichael. "We can't satisfy everyone, but the Conservative Party will do the best we can for the town."

StanMoore is also a lifelong resident of the Burlington community. He is aBurlington business owner, having owned and operated Stan Moore Construction for 32 years.

Moore said he is running for council "to mend and bring the town back together. Move us forward. We need to leave our past grievances behind us."

He wants to help move the town ahead.

"I've seenother communitiesdoa great job rebuilding their downtown area and securing grants to revitalize the community," he said. "We're a bedroom community, but I'd still like to seemore homes in this town. I want this to continue to be a great place tolive,workandretire. I'mthe leader tomake this happen."

With 32 years of business experience, "I would run the town's checkbook the same as my own," Moore said.

"I have experience serving on several boards and can make tough decisions when they need to be made," he added. "And I believe under all circumstances that I'll be fair for all taxpayers, and not just a few."

"If elected,"he continued, "Iwant the people of Burlington to know that thedoorwill alwaysbeopenand I'll welcome listening to their concernsor if theyjustwant totalkabout the town.

Moore and his wife, Deb, have two children, three grandchildren, and eight foster grandchildren.