Jenny L Brunner

Democratic

Running For: Troy Township Trustee, Perry County

Short Bio / Message from the Candidate:

My name is Jenny Lynn Brunner and I am asking for your support in the upcoming election, as I seek to continue my position as a Democratic candidate for your Troy Township Trustee. I have held this position since April of 2019 upon the loss of former Troy Township Trustee, Patricia Reed. My mission statement is “To provide dignity and respect to citizens of Troy Township by providing financial and referral assistance for the basic necessities of life, while demonstrating good stewardship of taxpayer resources.”

I have lived in Perry County all my life and what a great place it is to live, work, and raise a family! I was born and raised in Cannelton, graduated from Cannelton High School in 1975. I then worked at Swiss Plywood and General Electric as a factory worker. I am a proud Brescia University Social Work Graduate (graduated cum laude) of the class of 1996. While in college, I worked as a newspaper carrier, a pharmacy tech, and was the Perry County Substance Abuse Coordinator. I helped to initiate programs such as S.T.A.N.D. (Students Taking Action Not Drugs), B.A.B.E. S (Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Studies) and Natural Helpers to our schools in Perry, Spencer, and Dubois Counties. Those programs still exist today.

As a non-traditional college student, my husband, John Sr. (of 32 years) and I worked hard and sacrificed to provide for our six children, Sunshine, Jason, Eva, John Jr., Jeremy and Andy. Sadly, my husband passed away last year in 2021 after a strong battle with Covid-19 Pandemic. I am now a one income household. I could not begin to run this race without mentioning the ongoing support of my family, John’s family, my United Methodist Church family, my friends, and my Mu Gamma Sisters (a member since 1980), and my companion, Jim Fulkerson. They have gotten me through many struggles in both my professional and personal life.

Why am I qualified for this job? I bring with me over 25 years of working with families and children. My social work experience actually started prior to my degree while interning with Crisis Connection in five counties as a victim’s advocate. My other previous job experiences are as follows: a support worker and assessment worker with LHDC in the Healthy Families Program. I then became a parenting facilitator, a substance abuse counselor, and finally, a Case Manager of the Plus Dorm at Branchville Correctional Facility. I have held the position of Director of Social Services at Oakwood Health Campus, as well as returning there to retire as a part-time Villa Coordinator and Social Services Assistant. I strive to help clients not only through crisis intervention, but assist them to move past the cycle of poverty by introducing them to programs that empower them become more self-sufficient; therefore, becoming a successful and hard-working role model for their children.

What have I accomplished through my current position as your Trustee? First, I have secured the first public office space at no extra cost to taxpayers. I extended previous office hours. I network on a daily basis with other community resources and referral agencies. I often make site visits if transportation or office hours become a barrier. I work diligently to investigate applications for assistance to prevent costly fraudulent activity. A big goal of mine is to combat the problem of homelessness in Perry County by assisting clients to find affordable housing for their families in which they can live and therefore, succeed. I have helped clients who are battling addictions by referring to, and obtaining transportation to, rehab facilities. I have made it possible for clients to obtain more sanitary or desirable living conditions. My job allows me to assist clients in obtaining urgent medical, mental health, or dental care. Monies are budgeted to provide assistance to clients who cannot afford medications and insulin, or have no assets to obtain a pauper burial or cremation. Those accomplishments are all conducted through CLIENT-BASED needs assessments of which I carry many years of experience. And last, but certainly not least, I possess empathy, my God-given strength.

I ask for your vote as your Trustee of Troy Township.

Disclaimer: All information displayed is supplied by or obtained through the candidate, their associated entities, or publicly available information.  An Island, LLC is non-political, non-partisan, and we do not support or endorse any political candidates.