|
Published: October 10, 2008 12:26 pm
ELECTION Q&A: Floyd County Coroner
Editor’s Note: Submissions appear as the candidates submitted them without editing. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Except where noted, questionnaires are only being published for contested races.
Dr. John Patrick Click
• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican
• AGE: 48
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: He has a B.A. in Natural Sciences from Indiana University Southeast, and a Doctorate in Dental Surgery from IUS School of Dentistry. He has worked for 20 plus years in private practice and 15 years as an anatomy instructor at IUS. He served with distinction with the U.S. Naval Reserve Dental Corps from 1998 to 2005 and was a unit commanding officer.
• FAMILY NOTES: Milltown, married with three children.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE?
“I feel that I can effectively discharge the duties of this position, professionally with a high level of expertise. I wish to contribute to my community. Develop a level of care and positive interaction with the families of individuals requiring the services of the coroner.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THIS POSITION AND WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO RESOLVE IT?
“In my opinion, increase interaction with law enforcement, local funeral homes, health department and healthcare facilities. Try to reduce time frame of death certificate issuance.
WHAT UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION WILL YOU MAKE TO LOCAL OFFICE?
“Ability to bring a forensic odontologist to a local position.”
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES.
“No.”
Dr. Leslie E. Knable
• POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
• AGE: 45
• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: New Albany High School Class 1981; Bachelor of Science – Biochemistry – Purdue University 1985; Bachelor of Science – Animal Sciences – Purdue University 1985; Doctorate– Purdue University 1989; Mid-America College of Funeral Services 2004; Blood Stain Pattern Analysis Certification 2008; Certified Death Educator and Grief Counselor 2007
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Four Years Appointed Assistant Deputy Coroner and Morgue Supervisor-Tippecanoe County; Licensed Funeral Director and Mortician; Four Years Experience Post Mortem Facial Restoration of Homicide, Suicide and Accident Victims Including Military Casualties; Member United States Medical Reserve Corp.: Member IMERT (Indiana Mortuary Emergency Response Team); Member Homeland Security – Mass Fatality Division, Mobile Morgue Supervisor; Owner of Blackiston Mill Animal Clinic
• FAMILY NOTES: I am a native of Floyd County and am the daughter of Lillian Knable and the late Dr. Alfred Knable. I am married to Dr. Jeffrey Mathewson of Rhode Island and together we have three children: Cain(13), Isaac(12), and Georgia(10). We are members of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church where I serve my fellow parishioners on the Bereavement team and sing in the Resurrection (funeral) Choir.
My siblings include Nick Knable, Dr. Alfred Knable Jr., Daniel Knable, and Dr. Jana Knable. My grandfather Edmund Knable and grandmother Bertha Knable served as Floyd County Commissioners as did my Uncle Richard Knable, my Aunt Joan Knable and my Uncle Edmund “Junie” Knable.
My Community involvement includes volunteering with Junior Achievement, the National Mentor Society, Floyd County 4-H, Hospice Grief Counselor, Indiana Funeral Directors Association and Special Olympics.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “It has been said that you can judge a community by the way they care for their dead. I want to help Floyd County do a better job. On average two families a day in our community will be touched by the loss of a loved one. As a funeral director and grief counselor I have had the privilege of serving many of them.
“As County Coroner I want to personally assure our community that every death will be responded to promptly, the deceased treated with dignity and surviving family members treated with respect and compassion.
“In addition, I would use my medical training and grief counseling experience to be a true asset to the community. My goal as County Coroner is to establish an effective working relationship with all law enforcement departments and personnel allowing each of us to utilize our individual areas of expertise to provide accurate answers to the families and community we serve.”
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THIS POSITION AND WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO RESOLVE IT? “It is the Coroner’s duty to investigate and determine the cause, manner and mechanism of every death in the county and speak the last words for the deceased with honesty and integrity.
“Most people assume that the Coroner is a physician. Surprisingly, if elected I would be the first doctor to hold the office of Coroner in nearly fifty years. That is the reason that the most important issue facing the office is the lack of training and education required to hold the office. An individual need only be 18 years old and reside in the county to serve as County Coroner. There are absolutely no educational requirements. A 40 hour training course established to add professionalism to the coronership did not become mandatory until 2007. For far too long the role of Coroner in Floyd County has been relegated to a position of mere paperwork due to the absence of qualified individuals holding the office.
“If elected I will begin restoring the office of Coroner to its intended jurisdictional duties with experience, professionalism and dedication. It is my goal as Coroner to help families in crisis and to be of value to law enforcement.”
WHAT UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION WILL YOU MAKE TO LOCAL OFFICE? “I believe that my diverse education and professional experience will allow me to be an immediate asset to the Coroner’s office. Beyond a sincere sense of compassion and dedication to my work, I have formal grief training. The death of a loved one is an extremely emotional time for a family. Individuals are often in shock, angry, confused, and are looking for someone with leadership abilities to guide them. I have served many families at this critical time both as a funeral director and while serving in the Tippecanoe County Coroner’s office.
“I also believe that it is essential for the Coroner to have a very strong medial background in order to execute their constitutional and statutory duties. It requires a doctor serving as Coroner to gain the complete confidence and respect of medical examiners, law enforcement personnel and to deliver credible testimony in the courts of our judicial system.
“However, my most unique contribution to this office is my desire and willingness to continue learning. I have demonstrated this throughout my life. There are many continuing education resources available to the Coroner. If elected I will utilize these opportunities to further my ability to serve our community.”
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No”
• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Discuss this story
