HEBRON | David Peeler was sworn in as the town's new councilman Thursday after being chosen in a 3-1 vote by the town's Democratic precinct committeemen.

Peeler, 49, will serve out the nearly three years left of Kelly Teel's term. Teel moved to Lowell earlier this year, and her council position was declared vacant. Peeler works for NIPSCO in the coal handling department, and he's lived in Hebron since 1984. He and his wife, Libby, have two sons and three grandchildren and live on Poplar Court.

"I saw a need to get someone in who would give 100 percent," Peeler said as his reason for seeking the job. "I think the town needs somebody who will put the town first."

A member of the town's Plan Commission for two years, he's also the commission's representative on the town's Board of Zoning Appeals and the BZA representative on the Technical Advisory Committee.

"Before the economy went south, the town was on the verge of starting to grow," he told the committeemen. "We had two subdivisions in the works, the expansion of another one and a commercial development planned, but it all came to a stop. Once the economy improves, I think it will take off."

To handle that growth, Peeler said a top priority would be developing a master plan for the town, and he wants to be a part of that. He wants a shopping center proposed for the north end of town to get started along with a couple of upscale subdivisions. He also wants to make sure the town lives within its budget.

"I believe I could work well with the rest of the council," he said. "I want the town to be as good a place for my grandchildren growing up as it was for me."

The other candidate was Jeffrey Hanlon, who has served as the president of the BZA for the past six years.