As Indianapolis’s downtown Hilton played host to this year’s Indiana Township Association's annual legislative conference held earlier this month, this year’s dinner was especially poignant. The honorable Jean Paul Lushin, Center Township Trustee of Howard County was surprised as he was presented with the association's lifetime achievement award. The award, the first of its kind was created by resolution and named in Mr Lushin's honor, “Jean Paul Lushin Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented to Lushin in recognition of his extraordinary level of accomplishment and proven litany of achievements.

As one speaker after another took to the podium lauding Lushin's many worthwhile endeavors, it was clear that party affiliation was a non-issue. Lushin, a Democrat office holder was heralded by Republicans and Democrats alike for his mentoring to drafting legislation. For those people familiar with townships, the name Lushin is synonymous with this grassroots form of government. Township officials, those who support them and those who seek their end are all familiar with the invaluable consequential contributions Jean Paul Lushin has made.

In an emotion charged atmosphere brimming with applauding Indiana township trustees, state legislators and invited guests rising to their feet, an astonished and humbled Lushin took to the podium. Lushin graciously thanked all for what he declared, “an incredible journey,” and reminded everyone, “the journey is more important than the prize.” Later, Lushin responded to those questioning his future involvement in township government by saying, “The journey is not over.”

The 2013 Session of the Indiana General Assembly convened on Monday, January 7th, ushering in an era of nearly unprecedented change at the Statehouse. Your ITA Legislative Team will be working with a new Governor, a new Chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee, and 29 newly-elected legislators over the next four months, educating them on issues important to township government. Though we expect a different tone on local government issues at the Statehouse, we will certainly be prepared to oppose any harmful forced consolidation measures while promoting several initiatives that will allow you to better serve your communities.

Former Congressman Mike Pence was elected in November as Indiana’s 50th Governor, succeeding Governor Mitch Daniels and bringing a fresh new perspective on government reform discussions. During the campaign, Governor Pence frequently cited his small-town roots and spent time talking with local officials to learn more about the services they provide. We look forward to fostering a strong working relationship with the new Governor in the coming months.

We also look forward to working with the new Chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee- Senator Randy Head (R- Logansport). Senator Head is replacing former Senator Connie Lawson, who is now serving as Secretary of State. We have had the opportunity to work with Senator Head on a number of issues over the last several sessions, and look to continue that connection in his new role as Chairman.

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The Indiana Township Association (ITA), during its annual educational conference, granted the “2012 Employee of the Year” to Tony Goben, of Knight Township, Vanderburgh County.

Among the nominators of Mr. Goben was Kathryn Martin, Trustee of Knight Township. “Tony exemplifies a public servant” she said. “Tony has put in countless hours to ensure families are cared for by our office and goes above and beyond his job title as Case Manager.”

The ITA awards committee considered the fact that Tony dedicates many hours to agencies in the township including the Albion Fellows Bacon Center for domestic violence and sexual assault and Vanderburgh County Drug Court.

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The Indiana Township Association (ITA) proudly presented its “2012 Township of the Year” award to Center Township, Delaware County – Marilyn “Kay” Walker, Trustee.

Each year, the ITA’s Awards Committee searches for townships that move “above and beyond” toward effective delivery of services in the most economical means possible. Additionally, the committee members seek to give recognition for innovation and progress.

Trustee Craig Beckley presented the award during the annual ITA awards ceremony. He noted that while many townships are reliable (they do the requirements of the job) and many are accountable (transparent), there are fewer which are involved and “think outside of the requirements and look for needs within the community”.

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Each year the Indiana Township Association (ITA) awards one outstanding township trustee with the “Harold Gene Stoffer” Trustee of the Year award. The ITA proudly presented the 2012 award to Brendan Clancy, Trustee of Portage Township, Porter County.

The distinguished award was announced during the ITA’s annual educational conference, held in Indianapolis on September 25^th and is “given to a trustee who demonstrates passion and ingenuity for the job of trustee”, according to Executive Director Debbie Driskell. “For that, Trustee Clancy certainly fits the bill” she said.

In his first 18 months in office, Clancy made significant enhancements in Portage Township by increasing operations efficiencies, elevating the quality of life of residents, introducing new client services and programs, and building community partnerships for the betterment of the whole community.

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By Sue Parkinson

I often say that when clients come into our office for help with a bill, it’s just “the tip of the iceberg.” My job, as a caseworker for a township trustee’s office, is to try to uncover the rest of the iceberg. It’s a little unrealistic – maybe even a little arrogant – to think that I can do that. I’m not really trained to diagnose the psychological, social, medical or economic issues that my clients often face – nor do I really have the time or the authority to dive completely into the murky depths with them. But I am a compassionate and reasonably intelligent person with a job to do. And when I listen to the stories that surround my clients’ unpaid bills and do the necessary investigative work that my job requires, I can’t help but get a glimpse of the iceberg. What am I supposed to do with it??

To begin with, I have to make a decision to assist with township funds or not. As utilities are often within days of being disconnected and rent already past due, I pick up my shovel ASAP and start digging. In addition to the 10-page application that asks for personal details about the applicants’ family, finances and work history, supporting documentation includes bank activity reports, receipts, bills, forms filled out by landlords and employers, medical reports, criminal histories and print-outs from other government assistance offices. Applicants sign waivers that allow us to request or share personal information (when necessary) and an affidavit that they haven’t tried to commit fraud in our office or any other government office. By the time we’re finished, applicants have pretty much turned their lives inside out for our office and signed over their first-born. Read more...

“You had best clean up your act” is the message we walked away with on January 24th following the meeting of the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee meeting, Chaired by Representative Kevin Mahan.

The good news of that day, which fell during the ITA annual Convention and Legislative Conference, was the Chair pulled HB 1254 (Foley) which was scheduled for a hearing that morning. The bill would have drastically overhauled township government.

As Chairman Mahan announced he was pulling the onerous bill, he spoke directly to me, as a representative of yours, and stated that if we - and I paraphrase - didn’t get our act together, the Legislature was going to have to re-visit doing it for us next session! Read more...

The 2012 Session of the Indiana General Assembly was not nearly as eventful for the ITA as in years past. As you all know, the last several years have seen a flurry of local government reform efforts wind their way through the legislative process, only to ultimately fail before being enacted into law. Though there were a couple of reorganization bills introduced this year, it was clear from the outset that this issue would not be a focus during this year’s short session. As a result, no local government reorganization bills survived even the first half of session. Read more...