BARBARA BOCK (D)

I’m Barbara Bock, candidate for auditor of Brown County. I’m a proud American, proud to be from Brown County and I’m proud to be a Democrat.

Bobby and Maxine Melton are my parents. I attended Van Buren Elementary School.  I graduated from Brown County High School in 1973 and in 2005 I earned a degree from Ivy Tech State College. In between I spent some time in the United States Army Reserve, and I had three pretty wonderful kids, who all live here. I married Tracy and acquired three more.

GLENDA STOGSDILL (R)

"If someone asked me when I was young if I’d be in politics, I’d have said, ‘Absolutely not,’" says Glenda Stogsdill.

But, to the 16-year veteran of county government, it’s become second nature.

Stogsdill was elected to the county council in the mid-90s, and served for six years. She ran for recorder, and won, working in that office for eight years. When that term was up, she won another stint on the county council, which she currently serves as an at-large member. Now, she's running for auditor.

What motivated her to seek public office?

"Somebody’s got to do it," she said, "and you want somebody who cares about the community. I raised my kids here," she said.

She and Robert "Buck" Stogsdill moved to Brown County in 1973 from just across the county line, in Unionville. They raised three boys, all of whom still call Brown County home, along with their children.

Glenda officially retired in 2008, but though she loves spending time with her grandchildren, she felt she still had more to give to her community – and still does.

"I thought I’d like retirement, but I didn’t," she said. "I missed the mix; I missed the people and the public, because that’s what I’ve always done."

She worked in banking for 20 years, starting her career at Nashville State Bank. It’s there where she not only got to know many of her neighbors, but also could use her lifelong interest in math.

Those skills have served her well on county council, and combined with her knowledge of the way county offices run, can help her as auditor, too.

"I worked for different offices, and understand their budgets and the things they have to do," she said. "It’s kind of like a pie – everyone’s got a little piece, and it takes everybody to make the pie."

Though being elected as auditor would take her out of retirement, that doesn’t bother Stogsdill.

"I’ve always worked, since I was 14," she said. "I just feel like I can do more. I still have something to give."

— Written by Sara Clifford, with the assistance of Glenda Stogsdill

I worked part-time in the auditor’s office in 1995. I have an Indiana Real Estate Broker’s license. I currently work part-time at the County Office Building for the recorder and for the assessor.

My background in real estate and in the recorder’s office and assessor’s office helps me better understand the process of ownership, assessment, taxing, acreage and keeping track of all those records for property. Those factors and many others are among those that set the trending that are the basis of the assessment formula.

The auditor not only maintains county real estate records; that person also serves as secretary to the commissioners, manages payroll and benefits and the bills the county pays, and provides information on public records. I enjoy diversity. I enjoy learning new things and taking on new challenges. I think the diversity of my background allows me to better adapt to whatever new rules or procedures the legislature throws at us. All the experiences in my background and the attention to detail required to achieve them make me confident that I can do the job of the auditor of Brown County. 

Plus, all my children and grandchildren live here, so doing well isn’t just a job interest for me; it’s a way of life. If elected, I will fulfill the whole term.

I would ask you to remember that our country continues to pay a high price for our way of life, and to please honor those who paid the most by voting at every opportunity.

I’d like to be your next auditor. I’d really appreciate your vote.

— Written by Barbara Bock