Burkett eyes Vermillion County Council District 3 Seat

With educational experiences at both Harvard and the Kelley School of Business, as well as a background in finance and crisis management, Tom Burkett is seeking the seat representing Vermillion County Council District 3.

The Democrat faces Republican Jeff McMullen for the seat and is excited about the opportunity. 

"I have been an insurance professional for State Farm for about 20 years. A year and a half ago, I got a call from a couple of clients after our treasurer at the City of Clinton had quit. Three weeks after that, I got a couple calls that there may be some issues with the city because the fire department potentially had power shut off. I called then Mayor Jack and offered to help. I wanted to help and if there was a problem with a client's house catching on fire, maybe the fire department could come and put it out. When I called Jack that was my first entry way into politics. They caucused me in and I have been there ever since. When I got involved in that, I saw other problems I wanted to be involved with. I want to be there to help make Vermillion County a place to grow, live, raise a family and make it a better environment for the future," Burkett told The Parke County Post. 

As he has met with prospective voters, Burkett said he has heard several constant themes and talking points. 

"Some of the larger concerns have been potential growth and economic activity, especially with respect to the mega park on the north end. A lot of negativity with the potential for a data center tthat may come into the Rise Mega Park. And, really, people want to have an environment in Vermillion County for their children to want to stay, grow and earn here. The economic activity and economic opportunities don't seem to be there, which is really why I want to be a part. I want to make sure the future of Vermillion County is strong and that the finances at the county level are in order and make a difference in providing an opportunity for that kind of growth," he said.  

Burkett said he believes the Vermillion Rise Mega Park is a key asset to the county, as is Jerry Acy, who runs the mega park. 

"He has done this in the past and grown a mega park to have incredible opportunities for people in the southern part of the state. I think they've got a good person there that can help grow that. When he went to the one down in the southern part of the state, he came in to about 30 employees there and when he left there was somewhere around 15,000," Burkett said of Acy. 

Regarding the type of industry he would like to see at the mega park, Burkett prefers major, large manufacturers that could immediately offer "amazing" jobs. 

Additionally, Burkett wants to ensure the council takes the necessary steps to achieve a positive return on investment from the resources and tax revenue it receives. 

"I want to make sure we have that approach when we look at what does this do for our people today, tomorrow and the next five years. When I say return of investment, I mean how does this create an environment that fosters growth," he said. 

And, while some elected officials are worried about potential fallout from Senate Bill 1, which dealt with property taxes, and less revenues coming in, Burkett welcomes the challenges. 

"It won't be scary at all. Are there decisions that may need to be made and will you need people in there who won't be afraid to make those decisions? Absolutely. It will be exciting trying to make things better going forward and manage it better. It's not scary, it's what you need to do. You need to have strong, fiscal conservative background and really take a hard look at everything you are doing. The opportunity there is to get external investment that will offset that and that is what it looks like five, 10 years down the road," he said. 

With early voting underway, Burkett said voters in Vermillion County have a choice for District 3. 

"Please show up and vote. We have a decision that has to be made today through November 3 to decide what we want to do best to make Vermillion County stronger going forward. Do you want somebody who has shown they know how to actually manage the finances of the city, try to get those books balanced and straightened out after years of potential problems and someone who wants to do the same thing right now for the county going forward. If you do, you should vote Tom Burkett," Burkett said.