Everyone encouraged to vote May 4
Local candidates answer questions
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

At a first time Meet The Candidates Night, sponsored by the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce, the views of local candidates were heard along with answers to questions posed them from the crowd.

The event took place Wednesday, April 21, at the South Ripley Elementary School Cafeteria, with approximately 100 people in attendance.

Each candidate was given equal time - one minute for introductory remarks, two minutes to answer questions, and one minute for final remarks. The forum was moderated by Cathy May, who asked each candidate a question that had been prepared ahead of time by those organizing the event. Then they were each asked a question from the crowd that was placed on cards and read by May to the candidates.

A short biography of each candidate was also read by May before the question session began. Those vying for commissioner seats were asked questions first:

Chuck Folz was posed the question, "What are the guidelines for the county dog catcher? Reports have been made of inhumane treatment to animals. What has been done about this?" He answered that this is a problem the commissioners have just been
made aware of and are looking into it at this time. He noted that it will be addressed at the commissioner's meeting set for Monday, April 26.

Newcomer to the political world
is Timothy Howder, who was asked, "What is your vision for Ripley County in five-years?" He responded that the county has great potential for growth and said with county officials being proactive rather that reactive the future looks prosperous.

"What is being done to assist the elderly citizens in the county with higher property taxes?" was the question drawn by Daniel (Danny) Meisberger. He said he felt it was a very serious problem and riverboat money should be spent carefully.

Richard (Dick) Smith was asked, "What role do you think the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce should have in the county?" He noted that it should help businesses already here and search to get new businesses to help get the economic base up. "When the schools are the second largest business - you have a problem," he noted.

William (Bill) Warren was asked, "With the cost of fire equipment, insurance and training, should the county go to some type of countywide fire protection system? "No. I would not be in favor of changing that," he said, adding the fire departments should remain the way they are.

"The county has moved in the past years to a county wide EMS response unit, should this continue, and like in the case of the northern part of the county, should they go into Franklin County and then charge Franklin County for that service?" was asked to Charles Cook. He noted this question was sort of like a "two-edge sword" and thought first the county should see if they can afford it, and if Franklin County wants to pay the bill, it would be okay. He also said that the cost was extreme for transporting someone to Madison hospital, and quoted the figure of $988.00.

John Little responded to the questions, "Is it possible for the Commissioners to have a "top 10 list" of the worst properties in the county that require cleanup and work with the owners to see that waste/junk vehicles are removed? Could this be done without having to turn in our neighbors?" Little said he could give a "top 50 list," but farmers were exempt.

"The county now rents more office space than at any time in the history of Ripley County, is this the best way our county should be doing business?" was Lawrence Nickell's question. His response was to pay off the jail first and then see about building an annex or office space.

Tim Taylor said we have to have a road program, and felt a county engineer was needed. He said we should spend every dime available in a wise way when repairing roads. His question was, "Developing and maintaining roads in the county have not equaled that of joining counties, how do you plan to change the way roads are now being managed in Ripley County?"

Those seeking seats on the county council were then given the opportunity to respond to questions.

"Do you feel there should be term limits for the position that you are seeking?" was asked to Harland Delap. He responded there shouldn't be term limits for any political position.

Donald Dunbar was asked "Is the county jail self-supporting? If no, how do you propose to pay for it?" He said he can't see the jail ever being self supporting and hoped to finish paying for it with riverboat funds.

"Why is the county currently paying an outside consultant to put together the county budget?" was asked to Joe Menchhofer, who said that while he's not in a position to know this first hand, he asked Auditor Mary Ann McCoy, who said this was the procedure that was taking place when she took office.

"Why is the county in debt? How do you propose to get us out of debt?" was answered by Benjamin Peetz. He noted that the problem of debt is one that either stems from the county not having enough money or they're spending too much. He wasn't critical of present government officials, but noted that a possible "fresh vision" would be able to find creative ways to help with the debt problem.

Ray Raney was asked, "What are
your qualifications for the office of county council?" He said he had experience in farming...and then said he felt some office holders have too many employees sitting around... smoking outside the courthouse.

Ben Sieverding was asked, "The county is in debt approximately $700,000. How will EMS be funded in the future?" He said EMS and debt were "hot topics," and that there are areas that still do not have adequate EMS. He noted that fire departments such as Holton and New Marion still do not have first responders. He further said there were pros and cons and he had mixed feelings about the new paramedic unit.

Jac-Cen-Del School Board candidates then answered questions.

When Jonathan Brison was asked for suggestions for alleviating the classroom space problems at Jac-Cen-Del, he said first it needs to be determined exactly what space is needed, and if any is wasted. He didn't think the answer would be consolidation or a new building.

Paul C. Hardy was asked, "How do you use the Ripley County Learning Network? How is this to be funded once the money from Eli Lilly is used?" He noted that the Ripley County Learning Network is still in the beginning stages, but is important for students, giving them more opportunities.

Another round of questions was asked of the candidates coming from the audience and then each gave a brief closing statement.

All the candidates vying for a Commissioner seat, were in attendance: Charles (Chuck) Folz, Republican, District 2; Timothy L. Howder, Democrat, District 2; Daniel Meisberger, Republican, District 2; Richard M. Smith, Republican, District 2; William Warren, Republican, District 2; Charles E. Cook, Democrat, District 3; John P. Little, Republican, District 3; Lawrence E. Nickell, Republican, District 3, and Timothy Taylor, Democrat, District 3.

Those in attendance who are candidates for the Ripley County Council at Large position, were: Harland Delap, Democrat; Donald E. Dunbar, Republican; Joe Menchhofer, Republican; Benjamin W. Peetz, Republican; Ray L. Raney, Democrat; and Bernard H. Sieverding, Republican.

Those running for Council who were not present include: Juanita Bauer, Mark Busching, Raymond Doane and Lee Mathews Jr.

Paul C. Hardy and Jonathan Brison attended and are both candidates for the Jac-Cen-Del School Board at Large. Other school board candidates not attending were Timothy Wolff and Charles Hughes.

David Voss and Edward Amberger were neither one in attendance, and are running for seats on the Milan School Board.

Those running for unopposed county offices who attended included Ginger Bradford, Republican incumbent for clerk; Earline Copeland, Republican, for treasurer; and Eric Karsteter, Republican for coroner. Tammy Borgman, Republican, present recorder was not present due to the fact she was at a state called recorder's meeting in Indianapolis.

The echo was heard from Clerk Ginger Bradford and Treasurer Earline Copeland that voting is important and everyone should go to the polls on Tuesday, May 4. The candidates each thanked the chamber for the opportunity to share in a public forum and also thanked the crowd for attending the meeting.

Bradford noted that anyone with voting questions was welcome to call her office at 689-6115.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Cathy May, standing, was the moderator for the Meet The Candidates Night, held last Wednesday, April 21, at the South Ripley Elementary Cafeteria and sponsored by the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce. The candidates were seated on the stage from left: Charles (Chuck) Volz and Tim Howder (not in above photo), Danny Meisberger, Richard (Dick) Smith, William (Bill) Warren, Charles Cook, John Little, Lawrence Nickell, Tim Taylor, all running for commissioner seats; Harland Delap, Donald Dunbar, Joe Menchhofer, Ben Peetz, Ray Raney, and Ben Sieverding, all running for council positions.