Civic Virtue By J D Strouth and Jan Strickland, Republican Candidates For Evansville City Clerk‏

Dear City County Observer Readers

Putting the community’s needs first, even if it would personally disadvantage me, is what Civic Virtue means to me. While earning the rank of Eagle Scout years ago, I permanently had instilled in me the desire to serve others.

Early in my adult life, civic virtue led me to try to join the military. I didn’t pass the physical examination due to my bad eyesight. When I asked all service branches if I could get a waiver to join, all refused me.

While I usually don’t seek leadership positions, several organizations recognized my leadership abilities and gave me leadership responsibilities.

When the Legal Aid Society chose me as their Board President a few years ago, I became the first non-attorney to hold that position in recent memory.

I joined the Knight Township Board five years ago – a time when the previous township trustee was widely recognized for lacking civic virtue. They later selected me as their chairman.

Civic virtue caused me to help start my neighborhood association 16 years ago, later becoming president.

Civic virtue led me to become a Deacon and visit our church members who were hospitalized, rehabbing, or homebound. When I volunteered to assist our Church Clerk 15 years ago, my church asked me to be their Church Clerk. Civic virtue led me to accept it and to diligently prepare our business meeting minutes ever since.

If you hire (elect) me as your next City Clerk, I will regularly put the City Council meeting minutes online in a quick-to-read format by the next morning. It may mean that I would be disadvantaged by working more than eight hours in a day, but I would because you deserve it. And civic virtue would keep me from accepting a pay raise not offered to those under my supervision.

J D Strouth, Republican

Candidate for Evansville City Clerk

ARTICLE BY JAN STRICKLAND ON CIVIC VIRTUE

Dear CCO Readers

My name is Jan Stricklin and I am running for City Clerk in Evansville, Indiana. I am a native of Evansville, and attended North High School. As a non-traditional student, I graduated with a Bachelor of Liberal Studies Degree from the University of Evansville.

I had a 17 year career working for attorneys as a legal assistant and paralegal. For five years I was an executive secretary for an Arkansas School Superintendent. I have experience as an office manager for two local real estate companies.

I have been married to Bob Stricklin for 15 years and we are parents of four children and grandparents of seven. We bought and renovated our home in the City of Evansville where we currently reside.

In 2006 I graduated from the Indiana Realtors Leadership Academy. This is a one-year leadership building program that emphasizes the enhancement of individual leadership skills, team building, communication skills, and promotes servant leadership.

As a realtor and small business owner of Sell Yourself Realty, a full service real estate company, I am invested in the future of Evansville. I currently serve on a Board for the Southwest Indiana Association of Realtors and participate in various committees.

The concept of servant leadership, derived from the principles of civic virtue, pertains to the strength of a person’s character, including their ability to listen to different perspectives and negotiate mutually agreeable resolutions. Paramount in the decision making process is the ability to draw from personal experience without diluting the needs of the community as a whole.

In the words of President John F. Kennedy, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

Sincerely

Jan Strickland

For more information contact me at: www.STRICKLINforCLERK.com or STRICKLINforCLERK@gmail.com