Vicki Andrews, 8708 S 600W-90,
Warren.
Andrews, 67, retired from Southern Wells Community Schools as the corporation treasurer, to work in the Real Estate/Auction business. She now works for Coldwell Banker Holloway as a Real Estate Broker, bus driver for Southern Wells, substitute teacher and seamstress. She currently serves as a member of the Wells County Council, At-Large.
Andrews is also a member of Southern Wells Community Church, and serves on the following boards: Citizens Against Drug Abuse, Solid Waste District, Purdue Extention, Southern Wells Construction Trades, Junior Achievement, Local Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council and Wells County Drug Task Force.
Qualifications
This is my 12th year serving on the county council. I feel my experience as the corporation treasurer at Southern Wells for 22 years prepared me for this position. I prepared budgets and I was over all financial transactions for the corporation. Prior to working at Southern Wells, I worked in Wells County government as deputy clerk and deputy treasurer.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for the office as I feel qualified to make financial decisions for the county with my experience. I have a servant’s heart and I want to continue to make the best economic decisions for the taxpayers. I am conservative but I try to be fair in giving pay increases and taking care of the county’s needs.
As an incumbent, what initiatives would you continue? What changes or new initiatives are needed?
We have a pay matrix for the employees that I think has been good for them. The new highway garage was a long process but is now in operation.
I would like to talk more to the county offices and see what they may need. I would like to make sure we are continuing to make road improvements.
Scott Elzey, 1824 NW S.R. 116-90, Markle.
Elzey, 65, is now retired and focused on his farm and rental properties. His professional career consisted of 13 years as a project manager at IBM, 16 years as senior technology director at AT&T, and five years as a dispatch center manager at Frontier. He is currently serving his first term as a member of the Wells County Council, At-Large.
Elzey also serves as the board president of the Wells County Convention and Visitors Commission and membership coordinator of the Wells County Historical Society, and board member of Bluffton NOW! and the Ossian Redevelopment Commission. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and local Republican Party.
Qualifications
I was born in the town of Ossian and have lived in Wells County for over a half century. My wife and I have lived on our 60-acre farm for 30 years. I have a B.S. in Business Administration from Indiana University. I have management and business leadership experience to continue to help the county move forward.
One of the most important qualifications for Council is the availability of time. Although we usually meet monthly, there are a couple weeks in the early fall where we meet daily. Council members are appointed to other boards so several hours each week are required to do the council job effectively. I can meet these commitments because I am retired.
Why are you running for this office?
We are headed in the right direction, but Wells County needs to continue to grow good-paying jobs and provide additional housing in all price ranges. We need to continue our economic development initiatives to attract workforce talent.
We compete with other northeast Indiana communities so we must keep the focus. If we are not growing forward, we are falling behind. We, as a county, have made that turn and are now heading in the right direction. I want to continue to be involved with leading that success.
As an incumbent, what initiatives would you continue? What changes or new initiatives are needed?
I have three goals as County Councilman: improve good-paying job availability, increase available housing, and provide more quality-of-life opportunities while keeping taxes low. We need this so our future generations can live here and enjoy the county like we have throughout our lives.
Heath Schlagenhauf, 7447 E S.R. 218, Bluffton.
Schlagenhauf, 50, has been a farmer in Harrison Township since 1992. He has been on the Wells County Farm Bureau board for 14 years. He also served two terms on the Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School board from 2012-2022.
Qualifications
I’m a lifelong resident and business owner. In ag we make decisions that look to our future. I want Wells County to be a place that is thriving for our kids and grandkids. I want our county to be a place they can remain in or return to and have the ability to find meaningful employment.
Why are you running for this office?
I would like to represent the ag community in our county and provide the input that our industry needs for both now and in the future. With that said, I will also represent all residents and taxpayers.
As an incumbent, what initiatives would you continue? What changes or new initiatives are needed?
I would like to see County Council consider its decisions not only in the near term, but how they affect our county in the future. Our county badly needed a new highway garage. By delaying it for many years, it cost the county a great amount more than it would have if it was done much more timely. I am against the agreement the council made with regard to the solar farm. I disagree with the way it was structured. I feel it should have been done without the abatements. This would have allowed tax dollars to stay within the Southern Wells school taxbase.
Seth Whicker, 1191 W Hancock St., Uniondale.
Whicker, 54, is a senior financial advisor and principal at SYM Financial Advisors. He currently serves as the president of the Wells County Council, and has been on the council for eight years. Whicker is also a board member of the Wells County Foundation, Wells County EMS Foundation and Bi-County Services. He also is a volunteer for Junior Achievement, providing lessons on financial responsibility to elementary and high school students. Whicker is active in the Wells County Republican Party.
Qualifications
My wife and I were both raised in Wells County and live in Uniondale. We have raised three children here and understand the needs of families and the community.
With degrees in financial analysis and planning, I work on budgeting issues on a daily basis. My work and educational background make me uniquely qualified to be a watchdog for taxpayers. I am honored to put these skills to work for my friends and neighbors in Wells County.
Why are you running for this office?
From an early age, my parents and my wife’s parents instilled the themes of involvement and giving back. As a result of what was modeled in our lives, I have sought opportunities to contribute to our community in whatever ways possible. It is my goal to continue to make Wells County the greatest place to live, work, and raise a family.
As an incumbent, what initiatives would you continue? What changes or new initiatives are needed?
Over the last eight years on County Council, we have maintained a high level of fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget. We have improved the county’s infrastructure through road and bridge improvements. Recently, jail renovations have been completed which will extend the life of the Wells County Jail. Additionally, I have been highly active in the creation of an interlocal agreement with the City of Bluffton and county for consolidated 911 services. We are also finishing up the building of a much-needed highway garage.
We still face challenges and there is more to be accomplished. We must improve fire safety for all county residents and businesses. Funding levels for EMS services must be reviewed to determine fiscal efficiency. County Council must work to reduce taxing rates to provide relief to those with inflated home assessments. We must expand economic development in order to increase opportunities for our own citizens and for those interested in making this their home. It is a pleasure to serve the citizens of Wells County, and I look forward to continuing this work.
