Monday seeking 4th Ward seat on the City Council

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Tanis Monday, Fourth Ward City Council hopeful on the Democrat ticket in the May 5 primary, is executive director of Beyond Homeless Inc., the shelter for women and children that opened in early 2014.

Prior to that she served as executive director of the Putnam County Museum for four years following her initial year as assistant director.

"I've learned a lot about working with a team of people by working for non-profit boards," Monday said. "I've also learned much about the needs and interests of our community in the positions I've held. I'm positive I can use this knowledge in a beneficial way for both the city and the Council."

Monday, 33, of 18 Highland St., is a Hoosier native, growing up on a farm in Hendricks County and being active in both 4-H and junior/high school rodeo.

The candidate attended Franklin College, earning a degree in English education in 2003. Monday claims she has the utmost respect for all teachers, but especially sixth-grade teachers, as she never taught after her student teaching experience.

In 2013 Monday participated in Putnam County Dancing with the Stars, performing a spicy tango number with partner Logan Kuhne. She has been a member of the Greencastle Civic League for four years, serving previously as treasurer and currently as president. Civic League recently completed the Splash Park project at the city pool in 2014 as well as coordinates the Park Fest series at Robe Ann in the summer.

Monday currently serves on the Greencastle Redevelopment Commission and as a local service representative for the Salvation Army. She is also a member of Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church.

However, she says her most important role is that of mother to her eight-year-old son, Gus.

Asked what inspired her to run for City Council, she replied, "Greencastle has been the community that has offered me a home and safe haven for the past six years. It's a community that I'm very proud to call home.

"I believe we all have a civic responsibility to serve our community," Monday added, "and when an opportunity like this presents itself, I'm more than happy to serve. I hope to help continue our great community into a future of increasing success."

Monday said she didn't grow up in a family that was engaged civicly, nor did she ever have political aspirations.

"However, Greencastle has inspired me to participate in the many wonderful opportunities to engage with the community," she said. "Here it isn't so much about what party a person identifies with, but about working together for the good of everyone.

"My son will live here at least through his formative years. I can't imagine a better way to ensure that he has the best experiences possible than to be part of a team working for the betterment of our city."