Elizabeth “Lee” Jones

Co-owner, Stranger’s Hill Organics

Jones and her husband founded Stranger’s Hill, an organic produce and greenhouse business, in 1983. Jones, who graduated from IU in 1976 with a degree in biology, previously worked as a lab technician, supervisor of animal laboratories in psychology experiments and a veterinary technician.

“There are three issues I am most concerned about that are under the purview of the county council. I believe we need to continue to support a strong safety net to keep people in our community from falling through the cracks. This is a time when more people are in need, yet county revenues are flattened. It is something that should be high in our priorities.

“Because of a state-imposed cap on our jail population, it is important to fund community corrections, which diverts nonviolent criminals from the jail with various programs. This is also often a better way of handling nonviolent criminals than locking them up.

“I also think it is important county employees are properly appreciated. They are the county’s greatest resource and should be recognized as such.

“I have run local a small business for 29 years, which has given me a good background in the importance of budgets and living within them. I have also been a part of this community for 53 years and have interacted with the very diverse citizens that live here. I understand how people of differing opinions think. I believe government should be transparent, allowing all citizens to participate.”

— Mary Kenney