Brownsburg council member resigns post

BY CHARLEE BEASOR

BROWNSBURG November 21, 2008 11:01 am

— Being a member of a town council or any town agency is sometimes a time-consuming job. Especially when that town is rapidly expanding.
It’s hard to work a full-time job, take care of a family, and spend your free nights researching town matters and attending town council meetings. That’s why Ronna Jessen, town council member for Ward 2, said she tendered her resignation from the Brownsburg Town Council last week.
“It was not an easy decision. I enjoy it,” Jessen said. “But there’s so much going on with the annexation and parkway and all of this new development. We’re on the verge of Brownsburg being huge and it’s requiring a lot of time, extra meetings, and extra research.”
Jessen, who is serving her first term on the council, had another three years to serve. Her resignation is effective Dec. 31.
When she ran for office, Jessen said her work schedule was conducive to doing something extra in the evenings. But she got an unexpected promotion at work, which gave her more responsibility and less time for other things.
“When I first decided to run, I was an admin in downtown Indianapolis,” she said. “I had my lunch hour and got off at 3 o’clock, and at the end of last year I got moved and now I’m a senior associate and I help with a larger portfolio and buildings that are all out of town so this job is requiring a lot more after hours time.”
Jessen works for Colliers, Turley, Martin and Tucker, a commercial real estate company. She said she wished she could devote enough time to both the town and her job.
“There’s just not enough hours in the day,” she said. “I don’t want to shortchange Brownsburg or my job. I love Brownsburg, there are so many great things about it, and it’s kind of breaking my heart to have to step down, but it’s the best thing for the town.”
She submitted her resignation to town council President Bill Guarnery after the board’s most recent meeting.
“They didn’t want me to step down and I don’t want to, but it’s the best decision to make, not the easy decision to make,” she said. “I don’t want to shortchange both jobs and I have to realize my limits. I’ve enjoyed it. I just want the best for Brownsburg — there’s a big bright future ahead for the town.”
Jessen said Pete Miller, the Hendricks County Republican Party chairman, would hold a caucus to find her replacement. Miller said it’s the party’s responsibility to fill the spot.
Miller explained, “The party gets to make the selection. It takes a simple majority of the precinct committeemen.”
Requirements for residents interested in running for the open position include living in Ward 2, which is roughly north of State Road 136 and east of S.R. 267, being a registered voter, and filling out a Declaration of Candidacy form, which is available from Miller or at the Voter Registration Office in Danville.
For more information about how to apply for the position, call Miller at 605-5116.
charlee.beasor@flyergroup.com