Candidate: Debora K. "Deb" Butterfield

Thank you for the opportunity to be considered to represent you as the Sumter County Commissioner for District 1. I am a Lifelong Republican, originally from Valparaiso, Indiana, and currently live in the Village of Winifred. I am a currrent member of The Villages Republican Club and the Republican Federated Women of The Villages.

I believe that everyone in Sumter County deserves to be treated with the same respect, whether an individual or a business, whether a resident of The Villages or other parts of the County. Everyone deserves access to quality services, quality roads, and quality emergency and safety services. At the same time, everyone – individual or business – should pay their Fair share.

I will not compromise my integrity to make decisions that do not pass the Fairness test.

I believe I conduct myself with Integrity…having the qualities of honesty and strong moral principles.  And, I tell the Truth,  believing that people have the ability, when presented with facts and the truth, to understand and to make up their own minds.

I will:

·      Work to keep taxes low.

·      Work with, and listen to, every resident in Sumter County.

·      Balance the interests of residents and business. 

·      Make decisions that will maintain a high quality of life.

Public and community service is not new to me. Throughout my life I have been engaged and involved as a volunteer and as an elected city official:

• Appointed to Valparaiso, IN City Council, District 2 & subsequently Elected to At-Large Council Seat
• Member of Valparaiso, IN Plan Commission & Park Board
• Member of Valparaiso, IN Parks Foundation Board
• Appointed to the Ivy Tech Community College State Board of Trustees
• Chamber of Commerce executive in Indiana for 15 years
• Past President, Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club
• Past President, Indiana Commerce Executives Association
• Member of numerous other community boards & organizations
• Small Business Retailer in Indiana and The Villages 2008-2016
• Independent Writer/Editor of the POA Bulletin
• Recipient of Distinguished Community Leader Award in Valparaiso, IN
• Graduate of Indiana University, B.A. Degree in Journalism

I have been immersed in local government in The Villages and Sumter County for many years, attending District and County Commission meetings. I understand the issues and believe that my communications skills and leadership attributes will allow me to effectively represent both the residents and businesses in Sumter County.

I would love to talk with you and your neighbors about issues that are of importance to you. Please feel free to contact me at 219-508-6863 or send me an email at ElectDebButterfield@gmail.com.