Professional

    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 toured in Spain.

    Tonya has was employed by the Garrett Schools from 1989-2012, where she served as a part-time English as a Second Language Specialist.

She has served a City Councilman for 6 years and Mayor for 3 years.

   Tonya holds the following: A Certified Pool and Spa Technician, Completed her 10 hour Occupational Safety and Health Training Course in General Industry Safety and Health from OSHA, and has completed Level One Certification at the IACT Municipal Management Institute.  She has also attended and participated in several workshops; OCRA, United Way, Dekko Foundation, Indiana Youth Institute, Indiana Healthy Homes Alliance, IN Chamber of Commerce Wellness Conference, Four County Development Forum, IPEP Annual Safety Training 2012, 2013, 2014, Office of Community and Rural Affairs Conference, Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership Collaboration.

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, Youth group director 5 years, childrens catechist 5 years and VBS director 8 years.  Tonya currently serves as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister and Homebound Ministry.

Community Involvement

Tonya has been a leader in our community her entire adult life.  Among her involvement include the following:

• Board Member of the Garrett Christmas Bureau

• Garrett Cub Scout Leader and Committee Leader

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

• Past Member of the Garrett Heritage Days Festival Committee

• Board Member of Alliance Industries, Inc. serving DeKalb County

• Guest Reader for Goodnight Garrett  each year at the Garrett Public Library

• Coordinator and Director of the  City of Garrett annual Fun Friday Day Camp 2012-2015

• Calvary Cemetery Volunteer

• Big Brother Big Sister volunteer both Lunch Buddy Program and Community Based Program

• Riley Carnival volunteer; 2012, 2013, 2014

• Science Fair Judge; 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

• Junior Achievement volunteer

• Volunteer at the GHS Athletic Dept. Auction Fundraiser, 2012, 2013, 2014

• Garrett Historical Society Member

• United Way Day of Caring Volunteer

• Garrett Volunteer T-Ball Coach 2013, 2014

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 Garrett’s 4th Council district.  In 2003, Tonya chose to run and was elected to the City Council At-Large position, the only Council position that represents the entire city.  

     As your Councilmember At-Large, Tonya worked hard to maintain fiscal responsibility in our government and investment in our city. Further, Tonya's time on the City Council was highlighted by her dedication and willingness to take on important issues in the city.  During her tenure as a council member, Tonya 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 attendance on the Plan Commission, missing only two meetings during her six years tenure.  You can count on Tonya!

      After a close race in 2007 that was decided by just 45 votes, in 2011 Tonya ran for Mayor of Garrett again, this time winning and running a positive campaign on a “Vision for a Greater Garrett”.  Tonya was elected, along with four other Republican men and women focused on reforming City Government and working towards a Greater Garrett.  Tonya was inaugurated on December 30th, 2011 and became the 18th Mayor of Garrett on January 1st, 2012.

     As Mayor, Tonya has worked relentlessly to implement a vision for a Greater Garrett.  To find out more about the unprecedented successes Tonya has had as your Mayor, visit the Promises Made, Promises Kept page to learn about how Tonya has lived up to her promises during the 2011 campaign, as well as Tonya Taking Action to learn about how Tonya helped solve major issues in the city, as well as her plan for the next four years.

Family

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

• Christian, age 30, is an Elementary School teacher

• Blaine, age 28, works quality control at Kautex in Avilla

• Alpha, age 21, is a student at IPFW studying Organizational Leadership

• Mary, age 19, is a student at IPFW studying Marketing and International Studies

• Grandson, Xavier Harris Hoeffel, born January 15, 2015

Tonya and Chris also live with their two beagles; Banner and Boomer.  In her free time, Tonya enjoys spending time with her family, reading, being a big sister in BBBS, and attending community activities.   Tonya works with and Supports Disabled - Handicapped adults with Bethesda Lutheran Communities.

Childhood in Garrett
     One of Tonya hopes is that the children of Garrett will enjoy the activities and feeling of a safe community like she had while growing up!  Some of her favorite childhood memories are going to the public library, attending Girl Scout Troop 77 meetings, swimming at the Garrett Pool, going to the Shake Shop,  and playing at the Westside Park!