Professional

        A near lifetime resident of Garrett, Tonya Hoeffel graduated from Garrett High School in 1981, in which she was involved in Student Government and worked in the Principal’s office.

        Following High School, she attended business classes and trained in dance instruction at the Bordner School of Dance.  Most notably in Tonya’s dancing career, she was a member of the 1984 International Dance Team, which traveled to Spain to perform for thousands of Europeans.  

        Currently, Tonya is employed by the Garrett-Keyser-Butler School Corporation since 1989, where she serves as the elementary attendance and guidance secretary.

Church Leadership

        Tonya has always had a deep commitment to serving her community.  As an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Garrett, she has served as a member of the Parish Council for over ten years. 

        In 1992, she began a Vacation Bible School at St. Joseph’s, an event that hosted more than one-hundred young people.  Later, she went on to be the director and instructor of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Children for five years and director of the Ministry of Moms Sharing, a Catholic ministry for mothers of the parish. 

        Additionally, she currently serves as director of the Middle School Youth Group, member of the Rosary Society, and serves as a lector & Eucharistic Minister.

Community Involvement 

Tonya has also been actively involved in many other community organizations and activities.  Among her involvement include the following:

• Past member & officer of the Garrett Community Center Board of Directors,

• Member of the Garrett Heritage Day’s Festival Committee

•     o  Judge for the annual Pie baking contest (Garrett Heritage Days Festival)

• Member of the Garrett Schools Alumni Association

• Board Member of Alliance Industries in Garrett

• Past Den Leader and Committee Chair for Cub Scout Pack #3178 in Garrett

• Member of Garrett Public Library Latino Advisory Board

  • Chair of the Iberamericano Community Festival (September 2007)

• Guest Reader for Goodnight Garrett at the Garrett Public Library

• Supporter of  Literacy for Life (an initiative of the DeKalb Community Foundation)

• Attended the Character Counts! Renewal Partnership of Excellence training at Garrett Schools for Parents, Community Members, Business Leaders, and School Officials (February 16, 2007)

• Supporter of The DeKalb County United Way Campaign

• Active member of the Friends of the Garrett Public Library

• Board Member of the Garrett Christmas Bureau, Inc.

• Co-director, Summer Day Camp for the City of Garrett

• Member, Garrett-Keyser-Butler “Relay for Life” team

Dedication to Public Service 

Tonya’s most significant contributions to Garrett have resulted from her hard work as an elected official.  In October 2001, Tonya was appointed to fill the remaining term of former Councilman Gaylon Wisel in Garrett’s 4th Councilimanic district.

        In 2003, Tonya chose to run for City Council At-Large, the only Council position that represents the entire city.  Though running against a strong opponent, former At-Large Councilman Ron Matthews, she won that election.  Even more remarkable, she won her own district by over seventy votes, an affirmation of the hard work and dedication she has for her constituents.

        As your Councilmember At-Large, Tonya has worked hard to maintain fiscal responsibility in our government and greater investment in Garrett.  Blow is a sampling of  her current memberships and activities:

• Attended workshops on behalf of the City of Garrett with the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns

• Represented the City of Garrett at the Community YMCA groundbreaking

• Liaison to the Garrett Park and Recreation Authority

• Vice President, Garrett Plan Commission

• Garrett Fire Department Rescue Truck Committee

• City Employee Insurance Committee

• Ordinance Review Committee

• Attained certification the National Incident Management System

  • Through the Emergency Management Institute of FEMA

  • Click HERE to see the document

• Represented DeKalb County at the Congress of Counties training in March 2003

         Tonya has distinguished herself on the City Council by her dedication and willingness to take on important issues in the city.  During her tenure, Tonya has never missed a Council Meeting, the only elected official to maintain a perfect attendance record in recent history. 

        She has demonstrated strong commitment to our community by maintaining near-perfect attendance on the Plan Commission, missing only two meetings  over the past six years.  You can count on Tonya!

        She looks forward to the upcoming campaign for mayor in our great community.  City Management, Development, and Public Safety are three areas about which she has learned a great deal while serving on City Council, and she look forward to using this knowledge to bring new ideas to the discussion of how we can make Garrett a better place in which to live and raise a family.

Family

        Tonya lives on South Walsh Street in Garrett.  Tonya married Chris Hoeffel in 1982 and together they have four children:

• Christian, age 22, is Notre Dame grad and is studying to be a Catholic Priest

• Blaine, age 20, is studying Elementary Education in Fort Wayne

• Alpha, age 14, is a ninth grader at Garrett High School

• Mary Catherine, age 11, is a sixth grader at St. Joseph Catholic School

        They also live with their pet dog, Buster. In her free time, Tonya enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and attending community activities.