Bainbridge Township resident, Elmer Brames, is a candidate for Dubois County Commissioner.
Brames, 69, currently District 2 representative on the Dubois County Board of Commissioners and a former Bainbridge Township Assessor, registered this week as a candidate for re-election to that seat.
“As a life-long resident of Dubois County, I recognize and appreciate the quality of life enjoyed by its residents. We are truly the model of counties all over the State. This status can only be attributed to the leaders who have gone before us, in government, in business, in our churches, and in our families. Today it is our responsibility to continue that service wherever we can. As commissioner I would like to continue to move Dubois County forward in a common sense approach. We must continue to be progressive while maintaining our conservative values.”
Brames grew up on a farm in Jackson Township and belonged to the St. Anthony community. He was one of nine children born to Albert and Irma (Schipp) Brames. He graduated from St. Ferdinand High School and Indiana State University. Brames has been married to the former Marilyn Kerstiens for 47 years and they have three children, Tara Eckman, Dana Kunz, and Kyle Brames. They also have 8 grandchildren, all of whom are residents of Dubois County.
For 36 years Elmer Brames taught Industrial (Arts) Technology at Jasper High School where he served on numerous school improvement committees, was president of the classroom teachers association and served on several negotiating and discussion teams. In 2002 he pioneered the Project Lead the Way engineering curriculum, which is still in place today.
As a member of Holy Family Parish, Elmer has served as chairman of both the parish and school councils and has been an active member of the finance, endowment, technology and several other committees. He has served on the diocesan capital campaign committee and recently served on the diocesan reorganization committee for the Jasper Deanery.
After three years as commissioner, Brames says he has enjoyed working with and for the employees and citizens of Dubois County. He has worked with others to open lines of communication with employees and to make sure they were being treated fairly and with respect. “The dedicated employees of Dubois County are the people who make county government work. They take pride in their work and their county.”
“At the end of any term,” Brames says, “there will always be unfinished business. These unresolved issues are the reason I am seeking another term. Given the opportunity, I will work diligently to provide Dubois County with the type of experienced professional leadership it deserves. I have the flexibility to devote as much time as necessary to the duties of commissioner. I will continue to be an advocate for the people, both on the Board of Commissioners, and with the legislature and administration of the State of Indiana.”
