November 9, 2009 -
Sixteen years ago, Cleo Duncan stood in Storie’s Restaurant and announced she
would be seeking the District 67 seat in the Indiana House of Representatives.
Monday, she chose the same location to announce she would not seek a ninth term.
In a sometimes-tearful farewell, Rep. Duncan (R-Greensburg), thanked the
community she has served for 15 years.
“I’m here to thank the wonderful people of District 67 for allowing me to
represent them,” she said.
She thanked her husband, John Duncan, for his support and voiced her
appreciation to former State Senator Bob Jackman, stating it was an honor to
serve with him. Duncan noted she had never intended to serve the community in
the capacity of representative forever. Now, she said, the time has come to step
aside and let younger people step in to continue the work.
After announcing she will not seek a ninth term as State Representative, Rep. Cleo Duncan (R-Greensburg) takes time to talk with the Jackmans and Blasdels at Storie’s.
Elizabeth Bailey /
Greensburg
Daily News
Mayor Gary Herbert thanked Duncan for her service, noting it was “our luxury” to
have someone so dedicated to this community serving in the Statehouse.
“She has done well for the city of Greensburg,” he said.
Clerk-Treasurer June Ryle also shared her thanks for Duncan’s service, as did
Jackman.
“I want to tell everyone what a pleasure it was to serve with Cleo in the
legislature,” he said. “There is not one person in the Statehouse who represents
their district any better than Cleo Duncan.”
After Duncan’s announcement, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman released a statement in
response.
"Cleo is one of the most earnest legislators I've had the pleasure to work
alongside,” she said. “She has never lost site of her goal of trying to improve
the quality of life for our fellow Hoosiers. And she has never missed the chance
to provide opportunity for the young people of this state - including her own
grandchildren."
Although it was a difficult farewell, one more year of service remains in her
final term. Until midnight on election night of 2010, Duncan will continue to
work to serve the needs of her constituents.
After that, Duncan informed those at Storie’s, she will not fade into the
background. She said she would remain active in supporting the community and
projects that will benefit it.
“Thank you,” she said, “for giving me the privilege of serving in your seat.”
Duncan leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to live up to. However, Decatur
County Assessor Tami Wenning was the first to announce she will be seeking the
seat.
Wenning noted it is something she has been considering for some time. She had
served two terms as Decatur County Clerk prior to being elected assessor and
noted she has found government to be a good fit for her desire to help others.
While it is daunting to consider how many more people would depend on her at the
state level, she is also encouraged by the potential for increased resources to
meet those needs.
Government can be quite complicated, she noted, and she hopes to be in a
position to help people find their way. In addition, her experience at the
county level has prepared her to think of the consequences of legislation that
will effect county and city officials.
Wenning has been married to Dan Wenning for 24 years. Her son, Jason, is a
senior in college while her daughter, Danielle is a sophomore at South Decatur.
Now that her children have gotten older, the timing is better for seeking a
state-level office, she noted. With her past service to the county as
preparation, Wenning hopes to serve the district with caring and competence.