Tamra Boucher, 165 Conifer Ct., Markle.
Boucher, 57, is a leadership consultant and director of client success at IN2GREAT, LLC. She is currently a board member of United Way of Wells County and Wells County Revitalization. She serves as vice president of the Wells County Economic Development Council and previously served as president for three years. She also served on the Markle Town Council for eight years, including four years as the President.
Other past community leadership positions include: Markle Area Plan Commission, Markle Board of Zoning Appeals, Wells County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Board of Directors, Cub Scout Den leader and Popcorn Colonel for Pack 3144. She is also a founding member of the Wells County Leadership Academy board.
Qualifications
My service to the community began almost immediately after I moved to Wells County in the fall of 2000 when I volunteered to serve on the Markle Board of Zoning Appeals. This ultimately led to becoming a member of the Markle Town Council, which is also a three-person executive body. Serving in these government roles gives me relevant experience and a perspective to understand compromise, collaboration and how to represent the community as a County Commissioner.
I have been actively serving our community for more than 20 years in numerous volunteer capacities. In my professional career, I have worked in communication, insurance services, healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing. I have been involved in organizational leadership, strategic planning, community outreach, human resources and recruiting professionals to Wells County. In addition to this experience, I also hold a Bachelor’s Degree from Ball State University in Political Science and Journalism. I would like to use all of this experience to serve current and future residents of Wells County.
Why are you running for this office?
People have often asked me when or why I became interested in politics. Here is the answer: I am not interested in politics but rather in government. As a matter of fact, I dislike politics, whether in the workplace or in government. Conversely, governance and service have always been of interest to me; I believe it is part of the way I am wired. I started working phone banks and polling sites when I was in high school. The first election campaign I assisted in was 1980 when Dan Quayle unseated long-time U.S. Senator Birch Bayh.
The foundation of our system of government is based on the principle that people choose their leaders, not have them chosen on their behalf. This is what makes our nation and our communities strong. I not only want to serve the citizens of Wells County but also to give our community the opportunity to choose who will serve them. I believe Wells County is a great community in which to live, work and play. In my opinion, one of our community’s greatest assets has been the way people pull together, whether to help someone in need or to elevate the quality of life for all. I want to play an active role in seeing this spirit continue.
As a challenger, what changes would you like to see in the next four years? Are there any new initiatives you would like to pursue?
I did not enter this race based on a desire to change anything in particular. However, I do believe that the way I approach things will be different. When we are in leadership positions, the way we consider topics/projects matters, the way we treat people matters, and the way we think about our leadership role matters. My goal, plain and simple, is to serve all of the people of Wells County. This means listening to the people and leading in accordance with their wishes, not my own opinions.
Community members have spoken out in favor of participation in Health First Indiana funding for 2025, and there does not appear to be any downside, only potential benefits to address health needs in our community. Before the June deadline, the commissioners should opt-in and bring those additional resources to our citizenry. If I am elected, I will work with the other two commissioners, all other elected officials throughout the county and county departments to ensure we are planning appropriately for the future and serving both our county residents and county employees.
Jeff Stringer, 4906N 100W, Uniondale.
Stringer, 53, is a self-employed business owner of Absolute Machining. He joined the county commissioners in 2021 by caucus. He also serving on the EDC.
Qualifications
I have 35-plus years in building business and economic development nationwide. I am a concerned citizen worried about retaining our youth and creating opportunity in Wells County.
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running to keep Wells County growing. We owe it to our youth to create opportunities, to grow with companies, industries and small businesses that will give our kids and grandkids the ability to live and raise families in Wells County. As commissioners, we are the voice of the people we serve and those people deserve to be listened to, understood and represented. That’s why I am running for Commissioner District 3.
As an incumbent, what initiatives would you continue? What changes or new initiatives are needed?
I plan to focus on fiscal responsibility, transparency and retention of our youth. We need more focus on bringing good jobs to Wells County and creating opportunity for all residents.
