The News and Tribune - ELECTION Q&A: Floyd County Commissioner

Fri, Nov 27 2009

Published: October 10, 2008 12:47 pm

ELECTION Q&A: Floyd County Commissioner - District 2

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.

Charles “Chuck” Freiberger

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democrat

• AGE: 48

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Graduate of Floyd Central High School; Bachelor of Science in Education from IUS; Master’s Degree from IUS; Master’s Plus 30 from IUS

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: I served twelve years on the Floyd County Council, and I am completing my eighth year as Floyd County Commissioner from District 2.

• FAMILY NOTES: “My wife, Patti, and I have been married for twenty-three years. She is a teacher at Greenville Elementary School, and I am a teacher at Highland Hills Middle School. I have been teaching in the New Albany/Floyd County Schools for twenty-five years. We have two daughters, Katey 18 and Kelly 15. Both attend Floyd Central High School. We attend St. Mary’s of the Knobs Catholic Church. I am a life-long resident of Floyd County.”

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “I am running for re-election because I care deeply about our community. I am a life resident, and I don’t plan on leaving. I have the desire and the experience to keep Floyd County a great place to live, and I have shown I can be a team player in making Floyd County even better.”

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE WILL BE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FOR THIS POSITION IN 2009? WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE? “When I was first elected as commissioner, our county had very outdated rules for our Planning and Zoning Office. I led the way in creating a county planner position. The planner has done an outstanding job in helping our county produce several ordinances to guide us with our growth. They include: subdivision, zoning, animal, noise, and the most important to me an eminent domain ordinance to protect our citizens’ properties. Those of you reading this from Lafayette and Greenville Townships know what I am talking about. I believe these are still important, and they are works in progress. I led the way in getting these accomplished, and I know more work needs to be done in these areas. It was not easy doing this, but I did take charge in getting our concerned citizens and our developers together in creating a committee to get these ordinances completed.

“We have a financial hardship in Floyd County at this time, and county government needs to work together in solving it. The county council is the fiscal body, but as commissioner, I will continue to work with them to solve this problem. My twelve years on the county council gives me the experience to get this accomplished. Our county needs to keep up with the state’s changes dealing with property taxes. It is not entirely the state’s fault. It has been created by court rulings forcing the state to make changes. The multiple changes that have been made have caused the delays in our property tax bills. The bottom line is that our county needs to be fiscally responsible and yet stable. My work ethic, desire, and experience will help our county government get the job done.”

WHAT UNIQUE SKILL OR EXPERIENCE WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS POSITION IF ELECTED? “My experience and my desire for Floyd County to be a great place to live makes me the best choice for commissioner from district 2. Earlier, I mentioned the leadership role I have played in getting all the planning and zoning ordinances created. I will continue to carry out this important role because we have some difficult times now in Floyd County with the financial problems the county council faces. But, like I mentioned earlier, working together will be very important in getting this done, and I have proven I can do it.

“Another skill I have is that I am a very good listener. I respect the citizens of Floyd County, and I need to hear the concerns and the praise the residents may give. I really do get both. I do listen, but I have to make decisions based on what is best for Floyd County.

“I use my position as commissioner to help residents, but I don’t use my position to better myself. It is all about community, not me.”

IF RECENT FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS CONTINUE, WHAT SPECIFIC ACTS WILL YOU TAKE TO HELP BOOST REVENUES OR CUT EXPENSES IN FLOYD COUNTY? “A cooperative effort between the commissioners and the council is needed to make budgets stable. Finding ways to cut expenses is the first objective. This may be done by combining some city and county departments. Some of these areas may be storm water, planning and zoning, and maybe our emergency dispatch. These could be looked at as possibilities. Other things could be done to boost revenues. This could be the producing of user fees for new developments to help pay for storm water and other uses. Just recently, IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) gave Floyd County and several other counties mandates to do storm water control. This presented a financial problem for the county because the mandate did not come with any money to do it. Our county planner has been working on a user fee program for new developments to help pay for this. All residents will be affected, but trying to be fair to all is what is important. We all take on this burden of the mandate.”

WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN 2009 WITH THE PROPOSED NEW COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER? “I believe it is very important for our youth to stay in Floyd County. Kids should not be shipped off somewhere else in times of need. We have to have fiscal responsibility to build a building we can afford for them. All options should be open. Silver Crest was an option I explored, but it was too costly to complete. The proposed new building became too costly for the county council, so we have to scale back. Keeping our kids in Floyd County is essential for them especially at times when they need us the most. All options should be looked at to keep our children here at home.”

WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN 2009 TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE COUNTY — SPECIFICALLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SPENDING AND THE OVERCROWDED FLOYD COUNTY JAIL? “I have several thoughts on these issues. I believe education is imperative for our youth especially at times when our kids become distraught or feel nothing is going right for them. Communication between students, parents, teachers, police officers, and etc. needs to be better in order for kids to have someone to turn to for help. We had an officer injured severely and another officer killed because of a small matter turning into a monster because the youth didn’t know where to turn to for help. I believe education can help in this area, and the schools at least Highland Hills Middle School have started doing this with the implementation of the advisor/advisee period every week. This period gives students a chance to talk to teachers not as teachers, but as friends. This is a good start.

“I think our new court and new procedures for our probation departments could help reduce our population in our jail. This will at least give us more time before we need to build another jail or add on to the one we have. This, hopefully, will save the taxpayers’ dollars for at least a little longer. I voted in favor of the additional court in an effort to help save tax dollars and help our court system run more efficiently.

“As far as more officers and the salaries for our police, the county council is the fiscal body. They have the responsibility to find the funding for these, but the commissioners play a role in helping. The commissioners are the executive body which makes the rules or policies. The county police have a bargaining team and that team can present ideas and needs they have to the council. This has been working, and I hope it continues.

“The county commissioners have helped all emergency agencies in the county and city by using 911 funds. All individuals using cell phones pay .68 a month for emergency services. I believe regular phones may be charged also. These dollars are used for our emergencies and for helping our emergency agencies. Such items as time cards for computers in the police cars, computers for dispatch, radios for firemen and etc. are bought using these funds. We have used these funds for some salaries in dispatch for the city and county, but the commissioners would like to see these put back into the budgets. I don’t want to leave out Greenville and Georgetown. They have also received 911 funds. When emergencies come up, government bodies have a way of working together for the betterment of the county and city. It is very much the same as our recent wind storm. The entire community came together to help one another. That is what I like about Floyd County and its residents. I pledge my continued support for our emergency agencies.”

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON CONSOLIDATION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE COUNTY OR CITY-COUNTY LEVEL? SPECIFICALLY, DO YOU SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE “COUNTY GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION PLAN” SUGGESTED BY INDIANA COMMISSIONERS? DO YOU SUPPORT RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE KERNAN-SHEPARD REPORT? “There are some areas in which city and county government may merge together. I am open to this if it really does save the taxpayers dollars, and we maintain at least the same services. I think the storm water boards, maybe planning and zoning, and possibly our emergency dispatch could be joined. Now, I am not saying we should do this. I am suggesting it may be possible. These could be starting points at merging some county and city agencies together. This question goes along with the previous question.

“I think the Kernan-Shepard report will cost the taxpayers more dollars in the long run, and it takes away a lot of our choices as voters. I will give you just one example, but I think it relates to all positions. The County Treasurer makes approximately $40,000 dollars a year. If this position is appointed, someone with an accounting degree or CPA would most likely be appointed. Would someone with these qualifications work for this salary? I don’t think they will. Thus, I believe appointing individuals will cost more tax dollars. We need qualified people to do these jobs, and I believe we have been getting this with our elections. We, the voters, have the ability to vote for the individuals who will do the job correctly. This report takes the election process out for these individual offices and puts it into the hands of one elected person appointing the treasure, auditor, recorder, sheriff, clerk, and others. The report sounds good, but I think the results will be negative. I don’t have a closed mind on this; but, as of now, this is how I feel.”

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “I have not been convicted of any crime, and I have not been accused of any crime.”

Dave Matthews

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican

• AGE: 54

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: High School Graduate with Honors, Southport H.S., Indianapolis, IN; Bachelor of Science Degree, USAF Academy, CO; Masters of Aeronautical Science Degree, Embry Riddle University, FL

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Graduate, USAF Academy, CO, 1976; Graduate, Air Force Pilot Training, Vance AFB, OK, 1977; Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, AL, 1983; Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL, 1986; Wing Executive Officer, Cannon AFB, NM; Royal Air Force Staff College, RAF Bracknell, UK, 1989; Squadron Operations Officer, Sheppard AFB, TX, 1994; Airline Pilot, United Parcel Service, 1995; Captain, MD-11, United Parcel Service, 2006; Greenville Town Council Member, Greenville, IN, 1998-2006; Greenville Town Council President, 2004-2005; Chairman, Floyd County Republican Party, 2007-2008.

• FAMILY NOTES: Married to wife Cheryl for 32 years, four children, Christopher, 23; Andrea, 20; Joshua, 18; and Nathanael, 15. Dave’s parents, Don and Doris Matthews live in Indianapolis as do his three brothers and families, Dan, Dale and Darren.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “I am running for the office of County Commissioner for three reasons. First, I hope to continue my passion of public service at the county level. I served the Town of Greenville for eight years as a town councilman. I completed a twenty three year career of military service before that in the Air Force. I believe that public service is a vital part of what makes America unique and admired in our world. Second, I feel my past performance in the Air Force, in the community and serving in Greenville qualifies me to do a good job as commissioner. I feel like my leadership skills, experience and executive abilities will help me contribute significantly to the tasks required of commissioners for Floyd County. And third, I feel God has called me to serve in this way in my community. I am already an elder in my church and a licensed minister as well as a member of the board of directors for a regional ministerial association. I believe that God calls good men and prepares them for tasks such as this. I believe He has called me to serve Floyd County in service as its Commissioner.”

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE WILL BE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FOR THIS POSITION IN 2009? WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE? “I believe the most pressing issue for both the Commissioners and the County Council will be providing all the services and functions of county government on a decreasing budget. Already, the Governor is preparing to establish new administrative procedures and cost saving measures to streamline local governments and decrease State funding of County budgets. These measures will require wise financial planning of both Commissioners and Council to ensure that we continue to provide the needed services that only the County can provide while not significantly increasing taxes. As a conservative Republican, I believe in smaller government, lower taxes and providing for the citizens what they cannot provide for themselves or what they would not be able to provide for themselves more efficiently. If elected, I plan to be actively involved with the Council to ensure that we run as efficient a government as possible yet not cut ourselves short on vital services such as police and fire protection, road maintenance and emergency services. All of this will require a wise balance of good fiscal planning with a view to a progressive future for the county.”

WHAT UNIQUE SKILL OR EXPERIENCE WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS POSITION IF ELECTED? “I think I proved many times as a town councilman and more recently as County Party Chairman that I have the excellent communication skills and team building capabilities to bring people together, no matter what their party affiliation may be, to find solutions to tough problems and build bridges to the future. People don’t always agree with my solutions to problems. However, through patient explanation of the situation and its alternatives and an openness to be willing to hear opposing as well as supporting views, I believe I have always been able to keep those I represent informed and secure in the knowledge that they are being fairly represented. I believe in treating all people fairly, listening to their points of view and always striving to treat them as I would expect to be treated.”

4) IF RECENT FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS CONTINUE, WHAT SPECIFIC ACTS WILL YOU TAKE TO HELP BOOST REVENUES OR CUT EXPENSES IN FLOYD COUNTY? “I believe all governments should be expected to manage their finances that same way we are expected to handle our own personal finances. When the checkbook is at zero, spending must stop. Spending on credit or debt only delays the ultimate responsibility for good planning to a later date. Deficit spending is irresponsible for governments as much as it is for individuals. Having said that, it is imperative that government leaders achieve the wisest balance of providing all the services its citizens need with a sufficient income or revenue from the tax base. Only when cost saving measures and decreasing unnecessary spending by the government is not enough, should we consider increasing taxes.

“We elect our representatives to make decisions which are in our best interest. Government gets in trouble when it makes decisions merely to win favor or sway opinions. If elected, I will represent my constituents fairly, taking their interests into consideration yet ultimately, deciding issues on a scale of what is best for all. I would always prefer to cut spending and cut taxes rather than increasing taxes just to increase spending.”

WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN 2009 WITH THE PROPOSED NEW COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER? “If the information I have heard is accurate, we are already looking at a possible deficit in funding for county government services in 2009. Despite the fact that a Youth Shelter would provide some very valuable benefits for young people in our county, I believe that the services that will be provided by our new YMCA might give some crossover benefits that might save us funds if the Youth Shelter cannot be funded. There are many great ideas and wonderful opportunities to make Floyd County a better place to live for all that we should consider. But these should be constantly prioritized and only begun when adequate funding is available and in place to begin construction. Additionally, our local churches already provide many of the activities and services a Youth Shelter would be used for, but on a volunteer basis. Such “faith based” services should be promoted and utilized, especially in light of possible limited funding.”

WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN 2009 TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE COUNTY — SPECIFICALLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SPENDING AND THE OVERCROWDED FLOYD COUNTY JAIL? “I have said many times, we can never pay our law enforcement officers enough for the risks they take for our safety. It is a common weakness of our system of public budgets that public servants, law enforcement and fire protection officers and public school teachers are most often overworked and underpaid. Where cost savings can be found in other areas, those savings should always be viewed as potential sources for increasing the salaries of these public servants.

“The past solutions for our overcrowded County Jail worked for the short term but most certainly will not work in the future, especially if crime rates increase. The commissioners need to look proactively at a long-range, future solution that begins to address the problem with a predicted future date for getting better. Just ignoring the problem does not make it go away. Because of economic difficulties, the solution might not be as quick as some would like. That should not keep us, however, from planning each year to arrive at the ultimate solution, within our means to supply it.”

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON CONSOLIDATION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE COUNTY OR CITY-COUNTY LEVEL? SPECIFICALLY, DO YOU SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE “COUNTY GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION PLAN” SUGGESTED BY INDIANA COMMISSIONERS? DO YOU SUPPORT RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE KERNAN-SHEPARD REPORT? “I was a teenager living in Indianapolis when Mayor Dick Lugar brought UNIGOV to Indianapolis and Marion County. That area was unique in that the entire county was largely metropolitan…..so a united government made sense and did its goal of establishing cost savings and unified services. Floyd County, however, is different in that a large portion of it is still rural. I do not believe that we should lose the rural quality of our county that gives us that unique beauty of Southern Indiana solely for the sake of efficiencies. However, I can see some significant cost savings and efficiencies that can be achieved by using one public service (firefighting, police protection, health and welfare services) where currently two or more exist. In Indianapolis, there are still small municipalities (Beech Grove, Southport, etc) that maintain their autonomy while enjoying efficiencies of shared services. Some similar arrangement in Floyd County might provide advantages for all the citizens of the county and should be examined.

“I do not agree that one County Commissioner is a better solution to good government than three. I do, however, see some positions that should probably be consolidated for cost savings, such as the Township assessor. I also believe that most public service positions should be voted on by the electorate rather than appointed. I believe in the original doctrine of “Home Rule” as specified in the Indiana State Code…..that where decisions can be made at the local level, they should not be overruled at higher levels of government. It should be the County’s responsibility to balance its own budget…..not the State’s.”

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No, I have never been convicted of any crime.”

George Mouser

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Independent

• AGE: 80

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: University of Kentucky, approximately 100 credit hours, University of Louisville, 11 credit hours.

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Pillsbury, Inc. 8 years as production foreman, 8 and a half years, associate member of American Institute of Industrial Engineers.

• FAMILY NOTES: Single

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “My neighbors have asked me to be a candidate for Floyd County Commissioner. The recent and incumbent Commissioners have refused to listen to the public in matters of land use and development. The Commissioners have endorsed flagrant violations of the explicit and precise language of our Subdivision Control Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance. One example: The proposed Bob Lynn project on Fertig Creek Road has cost private citizens more than $150,000 in defending their land and the matter is still not settled in court. This also involves the unjustified attempt to use eminent domain. The Commissioners re-appointed two Plan Commission members who voted to approve this project instead of choosing from at least five other applicants who were literate, informed, and concerned with the protection of rural Floyd County.

Over the past 35 years I have probably spoken in more public meetings than anyone presently in public office. I want to be elected to a position where I can do more for the people than talk.”

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE WILL BE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE FOR THIS POSITION IN 2009? WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE? “The threat of inflicting sewers on rural Floyd County is the most important issue for Commissioners in 2009. Incumbent Steve Bush has repeatedly stated that he wants a sewer district for Floyd County and incumbent Chuck Freiberger has said he would consider one. Steve Bush has said “sewers are coming” and is taking steps to fulfill his prediction.

“As reported in The Tribune on Sept. 7, 2008, a deal is being arranged for Floyd County to provide financial help to build a wastewater treatment (WWTP) for Georgetown and Floyd County. Rick Fox, attorney for the Commissioners, reportedly said, “I think it’s fantastic, it’s something I’ve been working for because I think it’s so important for Floyd County to have the proper infrastructure for 100 or 200 years down the road and this does it.

“This would be irreversible and the most damaging disaster in Floyd County history. I am totally in favor of helping Georgetown if we can do so without damaging Floyd County, but this “deal” in the making is no more than a cynical, under-handed scheme to put rural Floyd County on sewers. I will do whatever I can to help Georgetown and protect the citizens of rural Floyd County from this scheme.”

WHAT UNIQUE SKILL OR EXPERIENCE WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS POSITION IF ELECTED? “I have been an outspoken activist in county and regional civic affairs for more than 35 years. I have no connection to any individual or organization that can impair my objectivity. My primary interest is the protection of rural Floyd County’s existing economic assets and aesthetic values.”

IF RECENT FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS CONTINUE, WHAT SPECIFIC ACTS WILL YOU TAKE TO HELP BOOST REVENUES OR CUT EXPENSES IN FLOYD COUNTY? “I will carefully review contracts that Commissioners are party to. I object to additional appropriations for low bid contractors that make the cost higher than the next lowest bid; this has happened recently.

“We must diligently search for grants that can provide justifiable goods, services, and projects without additional local taxes.”

WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN 2009 WITH THE PROPOSED NEW COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER? “I would like to see an unbiased report on the feasibility of renovating the present youth shelter to make it a healthful and attractive home for developing productive young citizens. If this is not feasible, a proper home should be built on the grounds without demolishing the present shelter. The grounds should not be sold.”

WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN 2009 TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE COUNTY — SPECIFICALLY LAW ENFORCEMENT SPENDING AND THE OVERCROWDED FLOYD COUNTY JAIL? “Citizen participation in crime prevention and prosecution should be encouraged. More citizens should “get involved”. Neighborhood watch groups are commendable and more individuals need to be alert to unusual activity and ask questions and keep notes.

“Plea bargaining and reduction of charges reduces the public’s confidence in our legal system. Victims often say “what’s the use” and leave it to lawyers to bargain with the criminals. Another problem that is extremely difficult to remedy is the comfort level in jails. Except for the inconvenience of confinement, many inmates enjoy a higher standard of living in jail than out. There is not sufficient dread of incarceration. Building more and larger jails has not reduced crime.”

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON CONSOLIDATION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES IN THE COUNTY OR CITY-COUNTY LEVEL? SPECIFICALLY, DO YOU SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE “COUNTY GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION PLAN” SUGGESTED BY INDIANA COMMISSIONERS? DO YOU SUPPORT RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE KERNAN-SHEPARD REPORT? “We do not need further consolidation of city and county government services. We should not eliminate any existing levels of government within the county. The more we concentrate authority in fewer hands the more we reduce the influence and effectiveness of voters. Appointees are commonly used to do the unscrupulous things that elected officials don’t want to be blamed for.

“I do not support recommendations made by the Kernan-Shepard Report, they would not result in savings or more effectiveness. They would only make government less accountable.”

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “Only once; many years ago I paid a fine of $50 or less, for ‘putting fear’ in one or more trespassers on my property. In view of my timid disposition this was a ridiculous decision by the judge.”