Republished with permission from the Greene County Daily World
By Grant Karazsia, Staff Writer, Greene County Daily World
Next Tuesday, November the third, is election day. Polls in areas where there are contested races will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Linton there are five contested races.
The race for the Linton Clerk-Treasurer will feature sitting Linton City Councilman Jathan Wright, a Democrat, running against sitting Linton-Stockton School Board member John Preble, a Republican. Preble was unopposed in the May primary while Wright defeated the incumbent clerk-treasurer, Jack Shelton.
Republican John Preble is a Linton native, whose passion for his hometown has led him to seek the office of Clerk-Treasurer of the City of Linton. After many years of refraining to be involved in city government, Preble says he is ready and available to utilize his background to represent Linton with the focus on making it a more vibrant and progressive city.
“First, I plan to make the functions of clerk-treasurer more visible to the community. Second, but equally important, I want to represent Linton to the business and corporate community, in both public and private sectors.
“Many times having a title or position like clerk-treasurer opens doors of opportunity. It takes experience to promote the potential Linton has to offer. These are two things I feel confident I can do well,” Preble said.
“Over many years I’ve observed how Linton has changed, both economically and physically. There’s currently a significant amount of unused capacity waiting to be utilized.” – John Preble
Currently, Preble serves on the Linton-Stockton School Board. He was first elected to the board in 2004 and went off in 2012. Preble ran unopposed in 2014 and was officially reinstated on the board in January 2015.
For Preble, the biggest issue facing the City of Linton is the hesitation of the city to take risks in starting new businesses to utilize that capacity and create jobs.
“Over many years I’ve observed how Linton has changed, both economically and physically. There’s currently a significant amount of unused capacity waiting to be utilized,” Preble said.
Preble cites his nine years of experience on the school board that has helped prepare him to hold political office.
“I’ve observed occasions where there could be greater communication and interaction with the municipal government that would benefit both our students and the city.
“Linton has an excellent school which is often under-appreciated,” Preble said.
After graduating from high school, Preble said many students pursue a college education, and sometimes settle down outside of the Linton community, including his daughters.
“Often those are the smart and educated risk takers we need to establish new businesses or support and continue with their existing businesses, but the lifestyle they desire is not available here.
“We can’t control the weather, but we can work to establish a lifestyle they seek, like bike paths, trails, sidewalks and facilities that provide activities promoting a healthy lifestyle, not only for the younger generation, but for everyone. Working to support and improve the interaction with our academic asset would have a significant impact on the future of Linton,” Preble said.
Preble said one reason the voters should cast their vote for him on election day, is the fresh perspective he would bring to the office of clerk-treasurer.
“I’ve often said when you drive through Linton, look at it as if you’ve never been to the town before and are driving through for the first time. What would you think? Would you see a town you’d want to come back to or a town you’re glad you finally got through, or observations somewhere in between? Looking at Linton with a fresh perspective allows you to see things in a new light that highlights not only areas needing attention but areas that are positive as well.
“With that fresh perspective, I have the energy and, more importantly, the experience and capability to work to make Linton a positive example for other communities and to represent our city statewide as the clerk-treasurer,” Preble said.
Preble, 61, has been married to his wife of almost 40 years, Sue Ann (Nee) Blanton Preble, who is also a Linton native.
Preble was born and raised on the outskirts of Linton on a small farm across the road from a dairy.
Preble has two daughters, both graduates of Linton-Stockton, Emilee in 2001 and Julie in 2005. Both daughters graduated from college, Emilee from Butler University and Indiana School of Law in Indianapolis and Julie from Purdue University.
Preble and his wife have attended the Linton First Christian Church since 1978, since it was located on Main and C St. NW. He is also a member of the American Legion.
After graduating from Linton-Stockton High School in 1972, Preble attended the University of Evansville for two quarters before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1973 as an E-1 and separated in 1977 as an E-5 Gunners’ Mate.
“I returned to Linton in 1977 after the Navy and started working at Crane that same year. I bought a home in Linton and have been here since. The home where I was raised and lived until joining the Navy is on 200N just outside of town, and I have many memories of the Linton area from the ’60s on,” Preble said.
Preble and his wife bought a home near the school in 1979 and lived there until 2011 when they purchased a home in Green Acres, where they currently live.
“Due to work, I’ve lived in other areas for brief periods of time: four years in the Navy, mostly East Coast; one year in Hawaii; six months in southern Maryland and 10 months in Suffolk, Virginia,” Preble said.
“After I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, I received a Direct Commission in 1986 as an Ensign in the Navy Reserve. I retired in 2013 as a full Commander with 27 years commission service for a total of 31 years uniformed service,” Preble said.
Preble held three Commanding Officer positions in the Navy and supported several commands during that time. In addition, Preble said he directly supported tsunami relief efforts for both Indonesia and Japan from commands in Pearl Harbor.
Since returning to Linton, Preble continued his education and was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University in the concentration of mathematics.
While working at Crane, Preble completed the Public Management Certificate program in 2000 and received his Masters’ of Public Administration from Indiana University in May 2009.
“During my career, both as a civilian at Crane and as a Navy Reserve Officer, I completed several classes pertaining to management of public organizations.
“My educational background and experience in public service, both federal and state, enables me to readily engage in the functions of the clerk-treasurer position,” Preble said.
Since October 2011, Preble has worked as a consultant for CACI Federal at Crane WestGate supporting the Navy Air Systems Command medium caliber program.
“I support the acquisition of ordnance items and direct the qualification of a newly designed Norwegian 25mm round for the Joint Strike Fighter,” Preble said.
His career in civil service at Crane began in December of 1977 where he worked as a temporary WG-5 working on rail cars and in October of 1978, he was made permanent as a GS-4 Guard.
During his 30-plus years at Crane, Preble held several positions related to ordnance as an analyst, manager, and project and program manager.
“I retired from Crane in September 2011 as a GS-15 Navy Science Advisor to a command in Suffolk, Virginia, a Crane billet,” Preble said.
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