Libertarian Lundy appointed to BZA

MOORESVILLE — As far as Mooresville Town Council President Tom Warthen can remember, there has never been a Libertarian to hold a government position while he been serving on the town council. Now, that’s changed with the latest town council appointment to the Mooresville Board of Zoning Appeals breaking the traditional mold. According to Warthen after always alternating between Republicans and Democrats, the town council decided to switch things up.

“The way that the rules are on that, is it had to be a bipartisan board and naturally we always said, ‘Republican, Democrat, Republican, Democrat,’” said Warthen.

At the most recent meeting of the Mooresville Town Council, Libertarian Danny Lundy was appointed to the BZA, effective immediately. According to Warthen, Lundy was selected by the council to fill the BZA vacancy because he had shown a willingness to help, and a desire to participate in government in order to help make the town of Mooresville a better place.

“Danny had expressed interest in helping on any board,” said Warthen. “We really struggle finding people that want to sit on these boards because it’s not a popular board. … It can get kind of emotional.”

According to Lundy, he was asked by the town council if he would be willing to fill the vacancy on the BZA months ago, but because he was running for public office at the time, Lundy asked for the results of the election before they appointed him.

He explained that Indiana law would have preventing him from serving on the BZA had he won and he wished to avoid having to resign shortly after being appointed.

Since his appointment, Lundy has expressed gratitude and thanks to the Mooresville Town Council.

“I appreciate it a lot. I’m very humbled,” said Lundy. “It feels good. I really want to do a good job.”

Lundy said that he felt pressure to do well, as possibly the first Libertarian to hold public office in Morgan County.

“I don’t know that any other Libertarian has ever served in Morgan County,” said Lundy. “I feel a little pressure from that as well. I feel obligated to do a good job. … If I do a good job, it can show people that Libertarians are serious and it’s something worth looking into.”

He stated that he also wished to reflect well on the council that appointed him and the party that he represents.

“I want to do a good job for the town council that’s shown faith in me,” said Lundy. I want to do a good job for the party.”

In order to do as good a job as possible, Lundy said that he has already started looking through the town’s ordinance book. As the BZA grants exceptions to the town’s ordinances, Lundy noted that he used the book much like a judge.

“It’s really judicial,” said Lundy.

Warthen agreed with that assessment of the role and said that was one of the reasons that Lundy was selected.

“You need someone that will go in there and be very conscientious on what’s best for the town of Mooresville and what fits with our development ordinances” said Warthen.

Lundy said that in addition to his qualifications, his appointment might signal that more people are ready to give the Libertarian Party a chance.

“I think having a Libertarian appointed says something,” said Lundy. “I think Morgan County and Indiana and the country at large is ready to start pursuing other options.”

~ By Anthony Woodside | Reporter | Published December 1, 2018 in The Mooresville Times