As the oldest of five children, Kim Fidler is used to being responsible for the well-being of others and those she cares deeply about.
It's a major reason why the Democrat has opted to run for one of three at-large seats on the Greencastle City Council. She is running against Katherine Asbell, Mark Hammer, Derek Jorgensen, Gary Lemon and incumbent Darrell Thomas for one of the three positions.
"As an adult, I have always been interested in community service and being a volunteer," Fidler told The Putnam County Post.
Fidler ran for Indiana State Representative in House District 44 in 2016 and 2018, and while she didn't win, she did take away quite a few positives.
"Although I did not win, I did cause people to pause and to think about what it really means to be represented by their locally elected officials or not. I also never stopped doing the important work throughout Putnam County, even though I did not win the election. Our city, county and state issues are too important," Fidler said.
Fidler said she is "very proud" of her commitment to living in Greencastle, to public education and serving others.
"I am very accessible and accountable. I am contacted by so many people daily who simply need some help with where to go to resolve their issues," said Fidler, who taught Spanish at South Putnam for 16 years.
She now works as a UniServ Director for the Indiana State Teachers Association, working with teachers, secretaries, custodians, administrators and school board members in over 40 different public schools across the state.
"I am fiscally responsible and knowledgeable about budgets. I am a problem solver and a critical thinker. I have also attended every single legislative session at the Indiana Statehouse for the past 34 years. I attend legislative breakfasts in Putnam, Clay, Owen and Vigo counties. I am terribly frustrated with the laws that have passed over the last decade by the Indiana Republican super majority that harm working people, families, public education, women, LGBTQ+ people and just about everyone. Each legislative session, I read every bill and present budget information, as well as input about impactful bills at the Statehouse at local legislative breakfasts. I am most frustrated when legislators do not even know what the current bills say and do not seem to know what the current bills say and do not seem to comprehend or care about the impact that they will have on people locally," Fidler said.
Fidler is the chair of the Putnam County Democrats and helps recruit candidates, poll workers for elections, a member of the election board and precinct committee people. In addition, she has worked with the travel board to allow people who cannot come to the polls to vote, as well as worked with absentee ballots, verified signatures of people who vote by absentee ballots and travels to vote centers across the county to not only deliver voting machines, but also check the accuracy of the machines.
In 2019, Fidler said she purchased a building on Main Street in Cloverdale and shortly after, buildings collapsed in that town. She used that to showcase her ability to do the "hard work."
"I did not have the support of the Town Manager, the Clerk or the Town Council in Cloverdale to renovate my building following the collapse. Nevertheless, I worked with other business owners and was able to achieve the renovation of the buildings on Main Street in Cloverdale and to protect the downtown area. That is what the citizens of Cloverdale deserved. I cannot ask others to do the hard work if I am not willing to do the hard work. I have always been willing to do the hard work," Fidler said.
And, now, she would like an opportunity to do the hard work to correct issues facing Greencastle, including those suffering from poverty and addiction.
"I have first hand experience in dealing with these issues. I definitely believe that not enough time, attention or resources are dedicated to helping people who deal with issues related to poverty and addiction. We have some wonderful people who are doing their best to resolve these issues, but the city could definitely do more," Fidler said.
She is also ready to tackle the housing shortage in the city, as well as the need for the YMCA to be completed, she said.
"I also believe that an elected school board is much more beneficial to the community than an appointed school board. As a member of the Greencastle City Council, I would join my fellow committee members to work on these issues. I have worked since 2016 to have the bridge over Big Walnut Creek renamed in honor of fallen officer, Jim Baugh. I have had Democrat legislators sponsor a resolution to rename the bridge. Our current state senators and state representative did not allow this to happen. I am tired of fighting battles that any citizen of Greencastle and Putnam County would support. Once again, citizens are not being represented by the people they have elected. I will not stop fighting to make this happen. INDOT has created the signs to be placed at Big Walnut Creek. Our current legislators have prevented this from happening. Who would not want to honor a man who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to the community? I want Greencastle to be a welcoming, affirming, and safe place to live, raise a family, to work, to go to school and have fun. Our police officers and Sheriff work very hard to ensure that everyone is safe, but we could strengthen our alliances with them. I have learned so much about hiring and maintaining School Resource Officers by working in public schools throughout Indiana. These are just a few of the issues that I believe we can address with me as a member of the City Council. Greencastle is already a wonderful place, but we must dare to dream of how it could continue to be better," Fidler said.
Fidler wants to bring her experience with budgets and insurance accounts, as well as being a voice to the city council and is asking voters to cast a vote for her when early voting kicks off Oct. 11 through election day.
"I believe that our current state representative, congressman and senators are not accessible, available or accountable. The Democrat members that serve on the City Council and our current Mayor are much more accessible, participate in community events and are accountable to all citizens in Greencastle. I believe that there can be great improvement on communicating directly with Greencastle citizens through roundtables and city hall events. I plan to share my phone number and email address throughout the community to improve accessibility," Fidler said.
She also said her efforts volunteering with local fire departments, non-food pantries, the Senior Center, where needed and various events has prepared her for the opportunity.
"I believe that we can only make our community stronger by working with our most vulnerable people and families. Many times, people feel isolated and hopeless. We must work to provide more resources and solutions for our most vulnerable people in Greencastle. I never stop working for others. I am dedicated and accessible to people who vote for me and to people who do not. Representation, accessibility, accountability and a non-stop work ethic are my biggest strengths. My passion is to make public schools a safe, happy and healthy place for all students. I will represent the citizens of Greencastle in the same manner that I have represented teachers, secretaries and custodians in over 40 public schools in Indiana for the past 34 years. My knowledge of national, state and local issues will allow me to make the best decisions as a member of the Greencastle City Council. I am not afraid to speak up when something needs to be done. I will appreciate your vote," Fidler said.
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