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Dear Editor:
After retiring in Westfield, I became familiar with the township leadership and their results. So, when I hear calls for “fresh eyes” in township government, I have to ask: Fresh eyes for what, exactly? Shouldn’t we first look at what our current leaders have accomplished?
Township Trustee Jamie Goetz Mills and Board members Jim Ake, Danyele Easterhaus, and Erica Strahm bring nearly a century of combined ties and service to this community. That history matters, but their record matters more.
Consider Fire Station 82. A long-awaited modernization is moving forward through collaboration with city, county, and township partners, with firefighter health and safety at its heart. Jamie has earned the endorsement of Hamilton County Professional Fire Fighters Local 4416. That is meaningful recognition from people who understand the stakes of public safety.
These leaders have also helped secure 72 acres beside MacGregor Park for future generations to enjoy. Also, Township Assistance goes beyond immediate help: They introduced Budget 101 to offer residents practical financial education and tools for greater stability.
These are just a few examples of the engagement our township leaders exhibit while working day-in day-out with many different governing bodies and underserved areas and residence with great results. None of this happened through slogans. It took research, sound judgment, partnerships, and follow-through.
Of course, new ideas should be welcomed, and elected officials should always be accountable. But continuity is not the same as complacency. When leaders know the community, understand their responsibilities, and can point to tangible progress, that experience is an asset.
Before deciding Westfield Washington Township needs “fresh eyes,” let’s give the current team a fair look. Judge them by the work, the relationships, and the results – not by a catchphrase.
Ronald Moore
Westfield
I wrote the fresh eyes LTE. I don’t disagree that Fire Station 82, the MacGregor Park land acquisition and Budget 101 are positive accomplishments. “Fresh eyes” was never meant to suggest that nothing good has happened.
My point is that accomplishments do not cancel out legitimate questions about oversight.
The Indiana State Board of Accounts reviewed Washington Township for 2018–2022 and documented multiple compliance issues involving compensation, salary resolutions, capital assets, fund balances and loan repayments. Erica Strahm chaired the board in 2020 and 2022, and Danyele Easterhaus chaired it in 2021. I am not suggesting dishonesty. I am saying financial oversight is one of the board’s core responsibilities, and those findings matter.
The stakes are also much higher now. The township’s 2026 certified budget is about $7 million, with debt service becoming a significant obligation. That makes strong, independent scrutiny more important than ever.
Jim Ake brings substantial business and city-government experience, which is exactly why I expected to see clearer evidence of that kind of scrutiny after he joined the board.
I also think judgment matters. Some of Erica Strahm’s own public social-media statements have raised concerns for me about factual judgment and about how she views an increasingly diverse community.
So yes, I absolutely agree that the current board should be judged by its record.
That is exactly what I did.
And after looking at both the accomplishments and the concerns, I still believe Washington Township would benefit from fresh eyes, stronger oversight and a broader mix of experience.