April 6 Election Candidate Profiles

Next week’s election includes many city and school races. The following are races of local interest, beginning with Ash Grove Board of Aldermen.
 
Ash Grove Board of Aldermen Ward 2
 
Name: Chala Baker
Occupation: I am a Realtor and I help my husband run our real estate business, Baker Homes. I also have a speaking/writing ministry--Beautifully Unbroken Ministries.
Education: I hold my Master of Divinity degree and I'm currently working on my Ph.D. in Biblical Exposition.
Family: Married to Matthew Baker for 19 years, we are high school sweethearts. We have nine children together.
Why should someone vote for you? I have lived in or have been connected to Ash Grove since I was in second grade. I have a deep love for this small town and I want to be part of its continued success. I would love to both see it grow and also work towards preserving its historicity as much as possible. I'm eager to be a voice for the families of Ash Grove who are in the stage of life of raising children, as I feel they are not well represented within city council. I'm willing to put in the work with both my voice and hands and do my part to make this wonderful town even better for our community members.

Name: Diana Simpson
Education: Attended IU East, New Castle Indiana and Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. Received certification from SHRM and Certified ISO auditor.
Occupation: Human Resources Management for 18 years. Also have six years in electrical assembly building MRI devices. Worked at IAF in Greenfield, Ind. as HR Manager. This was a supplier of bolts for Toyota, Honda and Ford. Retired from HR Benefits from Bass Pro
headquarters. Electrical assembly was at MRI Devices building units for Philips and GE.
Family: Have four children and eight grandchildren. Also, one great-grandson.
Why someone should vote for you? I have lived in Ash Grove 12 years and served on HTC and Planning and Zoning for several years. These are volunteer committees and I enjoy being and doing things for this community. I would love to see our community grow but still maintain the small town experience. There are many improvements that are happening now within this town and I would love to see it continue. I am willing to listen to the community’s concerns and help with issues as they come up.

Name: Pat Hurley
Education: Two years at Springfield High School, one year at Parkview.
Occupation: Contract inspector for City Utilities
Family: Wife and three kids
Why should someone vote for you: Because of my experience at City Utilities, working with the county. I worked in all (areas) of City Utilities.