Candidates elaborate on issues at local forum

By BILL RICHMOND

City editor

Approximately 100 area residents Monday evening attended the Randolph County Farm Bureau Candidate Forum to learn more about people who are running for office in the upcoming primary election. Candidates for county commissioner and county council outlined what they feel are the most important local issues and how they would address these matters.

Candidates for County Commissioner

Eastern District

Noel "Bud" Carpenter (Republican): "Issues I'm concerned about include our county roads which have fallen apart more lately than in the past 50 years. I think road maintenance is a big issue. Economic development is a big issue. Our economic development director Greg Beumer has done a tremendous job lately. We're very fortunate in our county, but we need more economic growth.

"People are dearly concerned about CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations). I know our commissioners are looking into it and I hope they have something in place soon that will make people happy."

Stephen Welch (Republican): "The five main issues facing the county are: to complete the courthouse construction which will be underway shortly; CAFOs - we've got to figure out a way to live together and control them; county roads are in bad shape this spring as the winter was especially hard on them; farm drainage issues, some major reconstruction needs to be done; and county tax assessment is an ongoing issue. I would like to see us cut down on government instead of just moving taxes somewhere else."

County Commissioner

Middle District

Gary Friend (Republican): Friend said his race is one between three able people.

"I've expressed my opinion about large livestock farms," he said. "I'm not anti-CAFO, but I would like to see some controls and regulations at the county level. I would do whatever I can to prevent irresponsible operators from coming in from out of state."

Troy Prescott (Republican): "We all know the main issues are CAFOs, the courthouse and county ditches and roads."

Prescott said he has a great passion for economic development as demonstrated by his involvement in the Cardinal Ethanol plant and Randolph Inn and Suites.

"I want to be the kind of guy who works to bring jobs here," he said. "You've got to fight for what's right and what you believe in."

Brent Campbell (Republican): Said he works in GIS (geographic information system) programming. GIS is a computer program use by most all county offices.

"I have a wide range of experience in government which includes writing county ordinances. I've seen a lot of good things happen and I've also seen bad decisions made in county government as well as their effects on the county as a whole."

Campbell said if he is elected he will fulfill the responsibility to listen and respond to citizens.

Philip Wysong (Democrat): "I've worked 23 years with the county highway department. (County highway superintendent) Tom Shannon and (assistant superintendent) Allen Andrews are really good guys and they will work to get the roads back together in good condition."

He said area roads are a major concern.

Larry Dungan (Democrat): "I think the main issue is CAFOs. I would like to see local government get together and impose some rules."

Dungan said he is in favor of greater setbacks for such operations.

"I think the courthouse is another important issue. I'm sure we'll have a glitch or two pop up along the way as the old building is renovated."

He said roads are another important issue requiring money the county doesn't currently have available.

"I am willing to speak my mind and I'm not afraid to debate the issues," he said. "I think compromise is the way to go."

County Council

At-Large (three will be selected)

Carlton Clevenger (Republican): Said he feels fortunate to be part of a great team of county council and commissioner members who work together for the good of the county.

"I would like to be reelected to see some of the important work we've started, such as the courthouse renovation, economic development initiatives and expansion of the county airport, through to conclusion."

Helen Snyder (Republican): "As a Randolph County taxpayer, I share some of the same concerns as you. We need members who are fiscally responsible citizens and make sound decisions on your behalf."

Max Holaday (Republican): "Randolph County has been very good to our family - I feel like serving on the council is an opportunity to begin to give back some of what I've been given. I look forward to serving the county.

"We have many challenges. Winter's been cruel to our roads, as have the large trucks that travel them."

Holaday said he is disappointed and concerned about the cost of the courthouse project and how long it will take to pay for the renovation.

Mike Haffner (Republican): "Through my work experience, I've found it's tough to make everybody happy and still do what's right for the company. It's the same with government. We've got to get these things resolved and we need to do it quickly.

"Our school systems are in dire need of repair. I would like to see some money spent to fix them. Gas prices keep going up. It's going to take a lot of people working together to find out how to solve the issues before us.

Harold Isenbarger (Republican): Said he is recently retired and would like to stay involved in community affairs.

"I know a lot of people throughout the county," he said. "I welcome everybody's opinion. I'm a pretty good listener.

"It seems every county road you drive on is broken up and crumbling and needs to be fixed."

Ralph "Bud" Harris (Republican): "Some people who work at the courthouse have not had a ceiling over their head for the past seven years. I'd like to see that solved.

"I'd like to see the airport expansion completed."