FRANKFORT, Ind. – In an exclusive interview with Clinton County Today, the longest serving mayor in Frankfort history, Chris McBarnes, responded to harsh comments made by city councilman Michael Brite during a December 12 meeting after learning of McBarnes’ comments on Facebook regarding local government agencies and in support of local candidates in the May 2023 primary.
Brite made his public comments in reply to a comment made by Frankfort Municipal Utilities Service Board (USB) Chairman Kent Brewer during a presentation to the council where Brewer stated, “some remarks from the previous mayor that the utility service board was not transparent” was on a Facebook post.
Brite asked Brewer when the post was made and after receiving the reply of after a December 5 USB meeting Brite continued,
“I’m gonna make a point here, and I don’t care who I make mad. I’m getting tired of Chris McBarnes putting his two cents in. He left a month into his being voted in (for the third time). He knew he was leaving. He no longer has anything to do with this City, and I wish he’d stay out of it.”
Brite continued, “If he truly cared about the City of Frankfort, Indiana – he’d stay out of it. He’s guiding people coming into the next election. If these people can’t stand on their two feet, and gotta have him to do it for them – then they’ve got a problem.”
Brite turned to the area of the public gallery where the media sits and continues, “And you can print that. Chris Mc Barnes needs to stay out of politics and off of Facebook and anything dealing with the City of Frankfort. He’s no longer here. He’s no longer [here], his advice, as far as I’m concerned is – we don’t need it. Every time he turns around, he’s causing a problem for – here.”
“And where’s he at? I, I can’t even remember what state he’s in, [an unidentified council member comments Wyoming], stay in Wyoming. Leave your thoughts in Wyoming. Stay out of Frankfort.”
McBarnes, his wife, and their son live in Wyoming.
CCT received a tip late Wednesday night from an official high-up in city hall detailing the former mayor would be in Frankfort Thursday (December 29) having lunch while back in the area visiting with friends and family.
Outside the Washington Street entrance of the former Regions Bank building in downtown Frankfort, McBarnes was seen walking eastward in casual clothes with a baseball style cap on with the bill pulled downward. When CCT approached McBarnes, he pulled the cap further down, looking downward to avoid eye contact. Calling out by name caused McBarnes to pause and respond. CCT asked and received permission to ask about the Brite comment.
The following is the comment made by the thrice elected mayor of Frankfort.
“Well, it’s great to be back in Frankfort. I love this city – I’ll always love this city. It will always have a very special place in my heart. I gave eight years of my life to Frankfort, and it’ll always be my hometown.
“And to Councilman Brite’s comments, it, it was very disappointing. Very disheartening. Just more than anything – the tone he used. Tried reaching out to Councilman Brite multiple times via text and phone. Never returned my call. That, that was also incredibly disappointing to me, and I think told me everything that I needed to know.
“And I, I, I tried to stay out of politics in Frankfort, but it’s hard for me because like I said, I, I gave eight years of my life. I gave my, my blood and my sweat, everything I had to this community. I’ve maybe posted about politics in Frankfort three or four times over the past three years, but I’ll always be passionate about it.
“The opportunity that I have now in Wyoming I wasn’t aware of until well after the election in November [2019]. I first became aware of it in December of 2019. I had my first interview for the position in January of 2020. So for Councilman Brite to make the comment of – I knew that I was going to do this before the election, it’s just patently false.
“And again, if he would’ve taken the time to reach out to me and talk to me about that, I would’ve informed him about that.
“And the fact of the matter is I am the only three-term elected mayor in the history of this city, the longest serving mayor in the history of this city. And, I thank the people of Frankfort for that and I, and I thank God for that.
“And so, and then to Councilman Brite’s comments that candidates need to stand on their own two feet.
“I once remember an unknown candidate by the name of Mike Brite that my campaign knocked door-to-door the entire district and literally carried him over the finish line.
“So when he makes the comment that candidates should stand on their own two feet, I think that’s pretty ironic. And to be frank, a little hypocritical because Mr. Brite would not be in that seat if it wasn’t for the McBarnes campaign, but I, I wish him all the best.
“I wish Frankfort all the best. I love Frankfort. And, go John Kirby in this next election cycle. I think John will be a wonderful mayor for this city. I think he’ll carry it forward. He’ll be a champion for Frankfort, and I look forward to sitting down and having a bite with him today.”
The first day individuals can file to run in the May 2023 primary is January 4, 2023. The Republican and Democratic primary election day is May 2, 2023. Current Mayor Judy Sheets and Kirby have stated they intend to seek the office of Mayor in the Republican primary. Kirby served as Fire Chief in both the McBarnes and Sheets administrations.
