July 2005
Wes Bennett Selected as New Clerk-Treasurer
Mike Isaacs Resigns to Take Position at Cinergy
Wes Bennett, a banker at First National Bank in Mooresville and a Hendricks County precinct committeeman, will become the new Clerk-Treasurer in Plainfield on August 15. Bennett will take over the office from Mike Isaacs, who is resigning to return to his former employer, Cinergy. In taking over Isaac's term, Bennett will hold the office through December 31, 2007.
Bennett was selected to fill the position on July 14 when the 14 Republican precinct committee officials met to decide who would succeed Isaacs. Bennett won with eight votes. The remaining votes were scattered among the other candidates, Rae Etta "Sis" Burke, Jerry Craney, Carol Weber, Juliana Mitchell, and Mike Woodward.
"I was humbled by the fact that I was chosen," said Bennett. "There were five other very strong candidates, all of whom are wonderful people. I will take this job very seriously and do the best job possible."
Bennett initially had decided against running out of loyalty to First National. "The Bank has been very good to me, and I work for one of my best friends there. I was in a good situation." But having been involved for a long time in politics and community service, Bennett changed his mind. "I look at it as a natural extension of my commitment to public service," he said.
Going into the job, Bennett says he has no preconceived notions of any changes that need to be made. "Mike (Isaacs) has done a great job, and I'm of the philosophy that 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'," he said. "The staff is knowledgeable and Mike says they work well together."
"That doesn't mean things can't be improved, though, and I'll be doing some evaluations over the next 90-180 days. We'll make changes where any are needed." Isaacs will stay on until August 15, and the two say they are working toward a smooth transition. Bennett says he plans to run again when the term ends.
Bennett is a graduate of Plainfield High School. He and his wife, Suzy, have two sons, Ryan and Brendon.
Epson America to Build Facility in Plainfield
Epson America, the U.S.-based affiliate of Japan's Seiko Epson Corporation, will build a new distribution center in Plainfield. The 750,000-square-foot facility will handle warehousing and distribution for Epson's digital imaging products. It will also house a repair depot and handle sales of parts and accessories.
Construction of the facility has already begun and is expected to be completed in April, 2006. Employees from a current, smaller location in Indianapolis will relocate to the building. Epson has committed to adding more than 130 jobs at the new facility over the next five years, to bring to the total to more than 500 jobs at the new location.
"We are ecstatic about Epson's decision to locate in Plainfield," said Robin Brandgard, President of the Plainfield Town Council. "As a world class company, Epson epitomizes the type of investment Plainfield wants to attract to the community, and we are pleased to welcome Epson as our newest corporate citizen."
"Because of the growth in our business, we have outgrown our current facility, so we are thrilled to be able to move forward with construction of the new facility," said John Lang, President and CEO, Epson. "The expansion will enable more efficiencies in our business operations while contributing to the economic viability of Indianapolis. The Town of Plainfield and State of Indiana were very accommodating, and we look forward to future successes in the new facility."
The new distribution center will be located along Stafford Road, west of the current Bridgefield subdivision. Panattoni Development Company will construct the building. The estimated investment in land and building is over $29 million.