By Scottie Thomas

‘It’s a big city [Evansville, Indiana], with a small town attitude and a great place to grow a family to live in.’ These are the sentiments from Pigeon Township Trustee, Mary Hart, regarding her hometown.

A graduate of Central High School, Hart has served as Trustee position since 1980. She comes from a family boasting her father, who worked at a saw mill and her mother, who worked for Zenith, Co., in addition to a family of ten children, including herself. Hart is a widow, with one son, who is married, and has two grandchildren.

Hart’s first position came at the age of 22, where Hart worked as a clerk for two years, before becoming a case worker for ten years. She served as Chief Deputy Bookkeeper from 92-95’, where she continues to help make a difference in the community.

Her resume would include being President of the Indiana Township Association the last four years; she has served on the Committee Action Program since 1997; as the Finance Committee Action Program for Evansville (CAPE) Board. Furthermore, Hart is on the United Way Grant Board, the Initiative Based Assistance Program and held her position on Board of Directors for Aurora Homeless Prevention Coalition since 2005. She is also a contributor and factor in Democratic Party Fundraisers.

Hart has no plans to retire any time soon, as she has a huge heart for helping those in need from emergency aid with utilities, housing and shelter, food and burial service assistance. Her lasting impression of her job is the ability to make a difference, if even on a temporary basis. Her only regrets are not being able to help some people sustain independency. If this was not Hart’s career, she would be involved in social services as she enjoys working with the public.

The advice she gives youngsters in Evansville is to ‘donate their time and talents, where it leads them.’ In her spare moments in life, though limited, Hart is spending quality time with her two grandchildren at the park or home. Though she has stepped away from bowling, one of Hart’s favorite hobbies, she has found a different to split her life up between work and family.

Chairman Parke,

Hopefully this email finds you well. My interest has been piqued in a few topics that you are discussing in your latest email and other events recently.

I appreciate this last email regarding the hotel, however, I’d really enjoy hearing your reason for supporting the hotel project. My understanding is that it has come to light that some $37 Million in taxpayer assistance has been devoted to this project. Please correct me if I have that figure wrong or that you recall no government funding is involved, but I’d like to know more about your support and why you have chosen to do so publicly. Are my taxes going to be increased as a result? If so, I have to be honest that I’d be particularly interested in why the Republican Party Chairman is getting involved in this issue. If the past is any indicator, I anticipate that I will receive questions from neighbors and fellow Republicans in my area regarding your involvement in this issue, because my understanding is that you have made your support public knowledge. My recollection is that the Republican Party platform includes planks for both 1) lower taxes and 2) smaller government. I know the “I’m a Republican because…” placards that are available at the Vanderburgh GOP office include those criteria, so I’d like to know how supporting the hotel does either of those.

And while we’re talking about controversies, I was already planning to email you as it was regarding the leaked audio from Brenda Bergwitz’ answering machine. It made it onto the City-County Observer website where it sounds like you effectively demanded she remove the ‘missing’ photo that is floating around Facebook. Is there a reason why you felt compelled to demand she remove that post as per her duties as a precinct committeeman? It also sounds like you did not see it yourself but referenced someone else seeing it and telling you. Are you not on Facebook that you could see this for yourself? From what I have found out, it appears that she did not even author the image. Can you also explain why this constitutes a breach that would warrant a county chairman calling and leaving her a voicemail and two emails? Some are claiming that you should be instead spending time to have Representative Bucshon make the rounds to have a public town hall appearance to address the concerns voters have. Could you speak to this as well? This would be a great opportunity for Congressman Bucshon to explain what he will be doing to stop Obamacare between now and next year’s election. Have you spoken with him and what is the reason he stated for not appearing to answer these questions from his constituents?

Of course we all recall when you made that comment to me in an email in 2012 that Kristi Risk should not be running and that you knew of not one Republican who supported her doing so, despite many that told you they would support that challenge (including myself in the email). A lot of people are scratching their heads asking if you are simply unwilling to hear other legitimate voices despite the process that is set up to do so. And at a time where Republicans hold many offices, is this the way to add to those gains?

Lastly, are all these controversies causing you to seriously consider Brenda’s recommendation that you step down from your position? Please excuse my deep inquiry into these topics, but thanks in advance for your thoughts and consideration.

Sincerely,

Sean Selby