Local candidates speak at community forum

By BILL RICHMOND

City editor

Many local residents attended a candidate forum Monday evening at Husted Hall. Candidates in contested district and county races had an opportunity to introduce themselves to voters and answer questions on important issues.

Candidates for District 33 State Representative

Bill Davis (Republican - incumbent): "I am proud and honored to represent House District 33. Nothing makes me prouder than when I am involved in legislation that will help the entire district. Knowing that I am helping local businessmen like Rob Lykins or Troy Prescott is particularly satisfying.

"Managing the state's money with good fiscal restraint has allowed us to grow the local economy, create jobs and promote economic development. With Major Moves, we have the only fully-funded state roads program in the nation. We just passed the largest property tax reduction in the state's history.

Andy Schemenaur (Democrat): "I am running for office because I want to respond to the needs of our community. People are searching for someone who will provide opportunities for families. We have a plan for green technology jobs that will also provide wind and solar energy for local residents.

"We have to provide tax incentives for new technology. We have a health care plan that will help small businesses to provide insurance at a lesser rate. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities. I am a fiscal conservative and I feel we need to spend our dollars wisely. I have the ability to lead, to assess situations and to help make this a place to successfully pursue a productive future."

Question - The Kernan-Shepard Report suggests restructuring county government to make it more like city government, eliminating a number of elected offices and allowing a county executive to appoint people to fill these positions. Do you support this conclusion?

Davis' answer: "This is not the first time we've talked about restructuring government for more efficient use of tax dollars. We've already started down the road. For now, I think we need to let the House Bill work that we approved at our last session. Some of the Kernan-Shepard Report recommendations can be done administratively and don't require action by the state legislature."

Schemenaur's answer: "I believe there is a great need for efficiency in government. We need to go further with spending tax dollars wisely and efficiently but I don't like taking grass roots level political involvement away from the people."

Candidate for District 54 State Representative

Rex Bell (Libertarian): "We hear a lot of promises made about what government is going to do for you. That is not what the Libertarian Party is all about. We want to get the government out of your way. We want to give people who want less property tax and less government interference a person to vote for that represents them.

"I feel property tax is one of the most evil taxes there is and I'd like to eliminate it. People tell us it can't be done, it's never been done in any state but wouldn't you like to be the first?

Tom Saunders (Republican - incumbent): Sent word that he could not attend because of a previous engagement.

Question - The recently enacted 1 percent circuit breaker has generated a lot of concern among taxing units leaving many wondering how they are going to continue providing expected services for their constituents. Do you support a constitutional amendment supporting the 1 percent circuit breaker?

Bell's answer: "I do not support an uneven distribution of property tax charges. We need to do away with property taxes. We need to replace property taxes over a 5-10 year period. It's wrong that the government can seize your home if you don't pay a tax."

Candidates for County Commissioner, Eastern District

Noel "Bud" Carpenter (Republican): "I'm very well acquainted with the county. I've been involved in local government for 20 years.

"Highways are the most important part of this job. It is an important issue that's been kind of overlooked for the past few years. We need to improve our roads. There are 839 miles of roads in the county. Also, county ditches need improvement. We need to work with our economic development director to bring jobs to the county."

Tom Binkley (Democrat): "I'm a former Union City councilman. I'm kind of new to this process. I try to tell people who I am and let them get to know me and the things I'd like to do."

Question - If elected, would you proceed with the construction of an annex to the county courthouse or would you try to stop it?

Binkley's answer: "I would proceed with the annex. I don't see any reason for stopping it at this point."

Carpenter's answer: "If it's already underway, I wouldn't do anything to cost the county more money. If it's not underway, I'd not put the county into more debt than it needs."

Candidates for County Commissioner, Middle District

Troy Prescott (Republican): "I think infrastructure problems are an important concern. I've lived in the county my whole life and I've had a great life here. I want to give back to the community where I grew up.

"We need to stretch our tax dollars as far as we can. We need to use that money wisely to accomplish as many of our needs as possible."

Larry Dungan (Democrat): "I think important issues are the courthouse, CAFOs, ditches and roads. The biggest problem may be finding the money to do all of this. It will require some tough decisions based on what's fair for the entire county."

Question - In regards to CFOs and CAFOs, will you support a compromise land use agreement if one is reached by the Commissioners' CAFO Panel?

Prescott's answer: "We do need to come together with an agreement although not everyone will be happy whatever it may be. We do need a setback standard.

"Also, regarding the courthouse - my concern is that it will run into additional costs at the end of the project which will be the courthouse renovation. I would renovate the old building first so we know what those costs are ahead of time."

Dungan's answer: "Yes, I would support a CAFO compromise. For the past four years, we've got nowhere on this issue and we need to have some middle ground. We need to establish rules that work and we need them right away. We need setback standards. We need to require that manure be injected into the ground. We need to start someplace and we're not there yet."

Candidates for County Council At-Large (vote for three)

Carlton Clevenger (Republican - incumbent): "We need to finish remodeling the courthouse, bring wind farms to the county, repair and remodel the county highway barns, update the county airport by lengthening the runways and restore the former county home."

Helen Snyder (Republican): Could not attend due to an illness.

Troy Bain (Democrat): "We need to take on the courthouse and CAFOs. I'd like to see wind farms. I would like to represent the small towns of this county."

Question - County ditches are in dire need of repair. If elected, where do you propose finding the necessary funding to fix these ditches?

Clevenger's answer: "We've had a struggle with this issue. We've raised taxes for ditches and we've taken them away when we had to cut something back. Each year, the state government requires us to make cuts from our budget and something has to go to provide occasional raises for county workers."

Bain's answer: "I do not know where we will find the money but I will look closely at the issue and see what can be done about it."

Nan Harris (Democrat): "I want to be part of local government to help make a change for our young people. Now is a good time to diversify our government so it represents Democrats and Republicans, young and old, wealthy and poor."

James "Jim" Byrd (Independent): "I realize that recent changes in property tax will be a big challenge. I would like to work closely with the county economic development office. Selling Randolph County is a tough job, but it's important that it is done successfully. I'm a willing listener and I can make a decision."

Question - Increased traffic on our county roads has caused many of them to break down. How do you propose fixing this problem and where will the funding come from.

Harris' answer: "We need to put pens to paper and find out where we can cut spending. I don't think we should raise taxes. Fresh minds and creative people need to look at these budgets and consider things from a new perspective."

Byrd's answer: "I'm not sure what sources we can tap for money to help with ditches and roads. It needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. We have more traffic on the roads than they were originally built for. It will be a challenge to find funding for both of these."

Monday's candidate forum was sponsored by Randolph County Farm Bureau, Winchester Business and Professional Women's Club (BPW), the Winchester Area Chamber of Commerce and The News-Gazette.