We are thrilled that Barb Irvin, Economy’s Clerk/Treasurer, is our blog guest writer for this month as we look at government. Barb is a fellow Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) Core Committee member for Wayne County. She shares her perspective on why small-town government is important.
I became the Clerk/Treasurer after moving back home to Economy after 26 years of living in four different states. I grew up in Economy, went to school in Economy (first through third grade), was involved with the United Methodist Church, played softball and did 4-H. At that time Economy had two gas stations, a post office, a bank, a convenience store, an Implement store and a Tool and Dye business.
I realized when I moved back to my childhood home things had changed drastically. No longer did we have gas stations, a bank, a convenience store or an Implement store. The only things left were the post office, the Tool and Dye business and the Implement Store became a Service Center for Farm Equipment. But I still had so much love for my hometown and wanted to see it start thriving again.
I was approached by the Council Members a year or so after moving home if I would be interested in becoming the Clerk/Treasurer. The current Clerk/Treasurer was ready to retire after 30 plus years. I decided that maybe being involved with the Town would be a way to give back and to advocate on behalf of our residents.
I have now been the Clerk/Treasurer for eight years and I believe our Council has made great decisions and improvements for our Town. We hope to see more in the future. Our small-town government is just as important as any larger city government.
Economy Town Council
The Town of Economy is a small town located in the Northwest part of Wayne County Indiana with a population of 157. There are three council members and me, the clerk/treasurer. We have monthly meetings open to the public. At each meeting we go over expenses and other issues. The public is also invited to bring up concerns or other issues.
In a small-town people tend to know each other by name, and this creates a sense of responsibility for the local community. Unlike in a larger city where the political leaders may seem far removed from the people they serve, in Economy, council members live in the community and are impacted by all the same issues the residents face. So, when decisions are made, there is a shared understanding of how it will affect everyone involved. The residents in a small town also have direct access to officials and can contact us if they have problems.
The Town of Economy provides essential services that a larger city probably does not provide. The Town pays for all trash pickup for all residents in town. The other service that some people may take for granted is street lights! The Town pays for electricity each month. The Town also makes sure the streets are in good condition and the snow is removed in a timely manner. We are small, but organized and resourceful.
Collaboration
Because the Town of Economy is an incorporated town in Wayne County, we can collaborate with County Government on projects for the Town. This relationship has benefited the Town in the past few years.
Through fundraisers and grants, we were able to:
- Update the Economy playground
- Waterproof the basement of our gymnasium
- Add Wi-Fi in the park, and
- Get a Mural on the gymnasium
We were also able to participate in the countywide Housing Blight program and the Main Street program. That is a lot of positive momentum for a town of 157. The relationship we have built with the county and other stakeholders has really helped our community build a sense of pride in our small town. And we are not planning on stopping anytime soon!
This past weekend, we held a ribbon cutting for our new playground. We invite all of Wayne County to come and see it and explore our town.
While national and state governments make the headlines, small-town governments are the unsung heroes of local democracy. The Town of Economy may operate on a smaller scale, but our impact on our community makes a difference.
