GREEN MOUSE SAYS: David Brewer's post-building commissioner "consultancy" is a leveler even when money isn't a motivator.

The Green Mouse has learned from multiple sources that earlier this year former building commissioner David Brewer (now the township trustee) inked a year-long consultancy contract with Jeff Gahan's ever conniving helpful City Hall for somewhere in the vicinity of $14,000. If this information is true, here's why it matters.

In the aftermath of the 2018 election, NA Confidential asked a question.

Congratulations to David Brewer, hitherto one of the least objectionable and most functional of Team Gahan's appointees. David needs to clarify one point immediately: Does he intend to remain in a salaried position as Building Commissioner and draw the township trustee's pay?

But those local Democrats most inclined to laughingly dismiss the relevance of our concern already have savagely criticized newly elected Republican assessor James Sinks for doing precisely that -- earning full-time pay as both as a teacher and the assessor ... much to the open chagrin of his own political party.

As a point in his favor, Brewer chose not to push this particular envelope. Take it away, Papa.

COLUMN: Former New Albany building commissioner motivated to help others, by Credulous Morris (Tom May Content Propagator)

 ... (David) Brewer said the job of building commissioner was eye-opening in many ways, including seeing so many needs in the community. That is what prompted him to run for New Albany Township Trustee last year. He wanted to do more to help people, to get them back on their feet.

Brewer, who took office on Jan. 1, said he had no intention of being a politician, or running for political office prior to his 2018 run. He was content for nine years being the city’s building commissioner. But something moved him to toss his hat into the ring against a popular incumbent, Republican Steve Burks. Brewer’s first taste of politics was a successful one. He wound up beating Burks by 1,443 votes.

“I never thought I would get into politics. You see things [in politics] that just infuriate you,” Brewer said. “It can be very divisive. But I want to do what I can to help people.”

In light of today's consultancy revelation, it's this part of the story that might be, well, divisive.

Brewer said he will take a pay cut to be township trustee, but money is not what motivates him. Helping those in need is what lights his fire.

According to the state of Indiana's public employee compensation on-line search tool, the New Albany Township trustee's annual salary is $40,000, while the City of New Albany's building commissioner earns $54,000.

A consultancy for $14,000? As they say in the UK about football: "There's the equaliser."

Two birds, one stone; Gahan potentially now has greater (if not completely unfettered) access to the township trustee's bank account, and Brewer doesn't take a pay cut at all. Everyone's happy, except those of us who stubbornly persist in favoring fair play and a level playing field.

Apart from the Green Mouse's perspective, allow me to conclude with a personal point of view: I'd be delighted if this rumor turns out to be false, and I'll happily correct the record if it does. Brewer always has seemed somewhat benign in the larger context of Gahan's systemic corruption; I realize there are others who'd disagree. Maybe I was hoping against all available evidence that there'd be something or someone not tainted by Gahanism's elemental toxicity.

But there's a remedy for enduring disappointment: #FireGahan2019

Incumbent Steve Burks seeks re-election as New Albany Township Trustee, with building commissioner David Brewer opposing him.

Steve Burks, a Republican, was elected to the office of New Albany Township Trustee in 2014. Burks is running for re-election this year.

A township trustee is an elected official in the local government of the U.S. state of Indiana. A township trustee administers a township, which in Indiana is the primary political subdivision of a county, and in common with most other state officials serves a term of four years.

Here's the skinny from 2014.

County Councilman Burks wins New Albany trustee’s seat (Theoretically Local Chain Newspaper)

FLOYD COUNTY — Republican Steve Burks will be trading one seat for another after scoring a victory over an incumbent Tuesday night.

Burks received 5,540 votes, or 52.9 percent, while Democrat Jeannie Freiberger received 4,926 votes, or 4,926 votes, in the New Albany Township Trustee race.

Burks is a pastor and also an at-large Floyd County councilman, so he will have to resign his seat

“I do benevolence all the time. That is what I do,” he said of his new post, which is largely tasked with helping the less fortunate. “I will try to be more efficient in that department. I want to give people a hand up instead of a hand out. I want people to be accountable."

Burks' opponent on November 6th is David Brewer, a Democrat and the city's Building Commissioner. Brewer also is locally renowned as an assistant basketball coach at New Albany High School.

Historically, NA Confidential has enjoyed good relations with Brewer, and we believe he does a good job as the building commissioner. It's an appointed position, not an elected one.

Re-reading the newspaper article linked above, I recalled a conversation I once had over coffee with Burks, who said he knew going into the 2014 election cycle that a person can't simultaneously hold two elected offices. If victorious in the trustee's race, he'd be compelled to resign as a county councilman.

Burks also discussed the possibility with his church, which accepted the idea of him being both pastor and trustee, given that trustees have a responsibility to those in need similar to that embraced by the church.

As an aside, here are the yearly rates of pay for the government jobs mentioned in this post.

Floyd County council representative: $10,000
Township trustee: $40,000
Building commissioner: $54,000

There does not appear to be a rule governing the simultaneous occupancy of an elected and an appointed office.

Currently the New Albany Township Trustee's office is located at the City-County Building on Hauss Square, which also is the headquarters of the Building Commission. It seems likely that if Burks is re-elected, he'll remain at his current office. If Brewer is the winner, is not known whether he's remain on duty as building commissioner, or move the office to the new City Hall being remodeled on Main Street.

The election is on November 6, and early voting at the county clerk's office begins on October 10.