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

Fri, Nov 21 2008

Published: October 10, 2008 12:28 pm

ELECTION Q&A: Floyd County Commissioner - District 3

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.

Stephen A. Bush

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Republican

• AGE: 40 years old

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Jeffersonville High School graduate 1986; Indiana State University 1990; B.S. Criminology Psychology Minor; Indiana Law Enforcement Academy graduate 1992

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Past Board member Georgetown Township Advisory Board 2002-2004; Elected as Floyd County Commissioner 2004; 16 year veteran of the New Albany Police Department; Assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division as a Detective Sergeant; Major of the Police Department 2003; Past Swat Team Member; Past Bike Patrol Coordinator; Field Training Officer; Breathalyzer Operator

• FAMILY NOTES: Married to Danna Bush for 15 years with two children

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “In 1994 the residents of Floyd County elected me as their Commissioner. In 2007 and again in 2008, my peers elected me to be the President of the Commissioners. I pledged to run professional meetings and give everyone a chance to be heard. We have discussed, debated and even argued valid concerns of the residents of Floyd County. We have accomplished many things in the past three and a half years, such as, establishing a Zoning Ordinance, an Eminent Domain Ordinance and an Animal Control Ordinance. I would like to continue to serve Floyd County for another four years. There are many other concerns to be addressed. We need to finish building a new Superior Court, build a Youth Shelter, look at the needs of the city/county building and look at the possibility of streamlining services to better serve Floyd County. I have enjoyed working with other elected officials and the residents of Floyd County. It's this kind of collaboration that gets the job done and promotes a win-win solution for the needs of our County.”

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? “Planning and Zoning is always a topic of concern, however, the most pressing issue in 2009 will be how we fund County services for the residents of Floyd County. We will need to look at how much revenue will be lost from the passing of House Bill 1001. Right now, projected loss of revenue in 2009 will be $1.2 million dollars and in 2010 loss of revenue will be $2.4 million dollars. I pledge to work with the Floyd County Council in order to better fiscally respond to the loss of revenue. The Indiana State Government is attempting to force local government to streamline services and cut spending. The option the State has given local government is to pass a local tax. Nobody wants another tax but we need to look at the services that we give compared to the revenue coming into Floyd County. It is our responsibility and obligation to research all of our options.”

WHAT UNIQUE SKILL OR EXPERIENCE WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS POSITION IF ELECTED? “Being a law enforcement officer for 16 years and being a Commissioner for three and a half years gives me the experience to serve Floyd County. When making decisions I have been Honest, Fair and Dependable. I have worked well with other elected officials bringing together a bi-partisan approach to solving the tough issues. I will continue that bi-partisan approach and through collaboration, we will work toward a win-win solution. Floyd County and even America need that type of attitude, the residents of Floyd County deserve the most professional official working for them. I will continue to serve the residents of Floyd County with an open mind and a commitment that they come first.”

IF RECENT FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS CONTINUE, WHAT SPECIFIC ACTS WILL YOU TAKE TO HELP BOOST REVENUES OR CUT EXPENSES IN FLOYD COUNTY? “The Floyd County Council is the fiscal body that is in charge of finances for the County. As a Commissioner, I will continue to work with the Council to see that the needs of the residents of Floyd County are met. If the projected losses happen, then we will need to look at all options. We need to look at possibly streamlining services and working with other cities and towns in Floyd County. We will need to look at getting as many grants as possible to aide in supporting our infrastructure as well as our services. We will also need to look at the Federal Government to assist with reimbursements on projects and programs. Planning for the short term as well as the long term is my pledge to the residents of Floyd County.”

WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN 2009 WITH THE PROPOSED NEW COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER? “Just recently we were at a time of using bonds to pay for a new youth shelter. The bonds would have been around $10 million dollars. With the recent passing of House Bill 1001, that changed the outlook of our future. The bond payment would have been around $1 million dollars, which would have taken half of our EDIT money. With the projections of losing up to $1.2 million in 2009 and $2.4 million in 2010, we had to take a step back and decide another direction for a new youth shelter. In speaking with the architect and making structural changes, we were able to bring the cost of the shelter down from $6 million to about $5.2 million dollars. We have even talked about selling the property and using that money to pay for a new youth shelter. At this time, we are waiting for a property appraisal to be finished. It is a high priority to take care of the needs of the children in Floyd County. The employees at the Youth Shelter do a great job and we want to continue that service for our children of Floyd County.”

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? “In 2009 we need to look at adding more officers on the street. We need to protect the residents of Floyd County and protect the Officers themselves. The Floyd County Police Department as well as the Floyd County Jail is understaffed. A feasibility study has been started to look at the Floyd County Jail to see what can be done about the overcrowding. After the study is completed, we will assess it and implement some changes that will help with overcrowding. By adding a new Superior Court in January 2009, this could help with overcrowding by hearing more cases. We will also look at the Home Incarceration Program to aide in this study to ease overcrowding. We will need to look at all options and research them thoroughly before making a decision.”

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 would like to take a serious look at combining governments in Floyd County. With Floyd County being the second smallest county, it makes sense to streamline services. If we would have one CEO of the county and do away with the Commissioners and do away with 7 Council positions, we could save over $100,000. I believe that the County needs a full time person to oversee county operations. I think it is important to look at the possibilities of combining Planning and Zoning boards, stormwater boards and emergency dispatch centers. We currently have combined services, such as, Animal Shelter, Health Department, School systems, Library services and the Parks Department. I agree with some of the ideas of both reports from the Kernan-Shepard report and the Indiana Commissioners report. We need to look at both reports and see how they can be beneficial to the resident of Floyd County.”

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No.”

Dennis O. Roudenbush

• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democrat

• AGE: 58

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: New Albany High School Graduate; Sullivan University: Degrees in Business Management and Professional Accounting & Business Administration; Have attended many Management & Leadership seminars; Ivy Tech: School of Real Estate

Attended: Indiana University Southeast; Floyd County Police Reserve Academy

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: U.S. Army, Viet Nam Veteran

Have worked in the Supermarket business for over 30 years

Currently Store Manager Floyd Central Thriftway in Edwardsville/Georgetown

Currently Elected Georgetown Township Board Member; Tax Preparer; Past Master of Masonic Lodge; Member of VFW & American Legion; Member of Edwardsville United Methodist Church; Member of Floyd County Extension Board; Past President of the Floyd County Democrat Men’s Club

• FAMILY NOTES: Son of the late Forrest & Norma Cochran Roudenbush; 3 sisters & 1 brother; Married for 33 years to my wife Margaret; 1 daughter Denise & Son-in-law Scott Mangels; 3 granddaughters: Taylor, Sydney, Zoe; Alaskan Husky Dog: Cody

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “Floyd County is deeply in debt and it needs good sound experienced leadership to stop wasteful spending and to finish some of the projects that have been started and not finished.(Like the Youth Shelter). I have heard of no plans of what the Commissioner have planned to stop the direction we are going. My plan will be a “New Direction for a Better Floyd County”.

“I know for sure with my Management and leadership experience, I can lead us to a “New Direction for a Better Floyd County” I will work with all levels of Government to make Floyd County a better place to live. I know how to work with other people in a professional manner to get things done. I know of very little that has been accomplished by the Commissioners in the past 2 years for the betterment of Floyd County. We need good leadership to get things finished in Floyd County; I can get the job done.

“I was born and raised in Floyd County and have worked in Floyd County except for my three years in the U.S. Army. This is my home and will always be my home, I sincerely care for Floyd County and its citizens and moving the County in the right direction.”

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? “There are so many issues that need to be dealt with, and my plans is to take every issue and work with other leaders and citizens in getting us in the right direction, we will have to work hard everyday resolving these issues as a team, Commissioners, City & County Council members, Mayor England & his Administration, must all work together. Our problems in Floyd County are very serious and we need teamwork and action NOW. Democrats, Republicans, & Independents must work together. I am a very hard worker and full of energy and will go to work in helping lead Floyd County in the right direction when taking office January 1, 2009.

“Some of the issues needing to be dealt with immediately are the Youth Shelter; our Commissioners should have never allowed our Youth to live under the conditions they have been in. We need to make progress in getting our county out of Millions of dollars of deep debt. Work with County Employees and raise the morale level of these employees.

“I do not believe the Commissioners are getting out in the public and listening to what concerns our citizens have. The Commissioners need to meet somewhere different in the County every week and listen to our citizens concerns. If elected I will be there for you listening to your concerns. There are new fees (supposedly not taxes) added to every citizen for something new on a regular basis. The economy is in very bad shape, the worst I have seen in my lifetime, we need to quit adding new fees (taxes) to our citizens.

“We need a program where we can save our Historical sites before they get into a condition where it costs huge amounts of our dollars to renovate them.

“The Floyd County Home on Grantline Road should have never gotten in the condition it is in; this is another example of neglect by our leaders. I have many memories of the Floyd County Home, as a young boy my Scout groups would go there and sing carols to the residents, and give them gifts and cookies for Christmas. I will work with the Floyd County Historical Society to help put together a plan in making sure we can stop the sad destruction of these Historical Sites.

“I have heard my opponent comment” he is all about new” I like new also and we should be progressive, but not at the expense of letting our historical sites getting neglected.

“I believe that my opponent not being a native of Floyd County and being a resident for a short time has not seen the destruction of so many of our Historical sites that those of us have seen that have been part of this community, I care about the history of Floyd County.”

WHAT UNIQUE SKILL OR EXPERIENCE WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THIS POSITION IF ELECTED? “I am accessible , my address and phone number is in the phone books, I will return all home and cell phone calls, emails, etc. as I do now, and will investigate all complaints, concerns, and needs of the citizens of Floyd County.

“If I make a promise it will be kept. As a leader I know you must have the respect and trust of those who you serve and lead to be successful.

“I will work very hard for all citizens of Floyd County.

“Commissioners are Administrators of the County like the Mayor of the city, and they should take pride in serving the citizens who put them in office.

“I am a leader and if elected I will use my experience in leadership to get this county moving in the right direction. “A New Direction for a Better Floyd County” A direction that gets our citizens involved by listening to their ideas, complaints, suggestions.

“The many citizens and friends in Floyd County that know me will tell you that I always greet everyone I come in contact with and will help anyone in need.

IF RECENT FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS CONTINUE, WHAT SPECIFIC ACTS WILL YOU TAKE TO HELP BOOST REVENUES OR CUT EXPENSES IN FLOYD COUNTY? “If the same approach is taken that is being handled now by the Commissioners continue, we will be in a much worse financial hardship than we are in now. It is not going to get better by continuing the direction we are going now. We need to give business’s legitimate reasons to come to Floyd County and do everything it takes to keep them here. We need to help our small business owners to be successful by promoting our local businesses. The economy is in terrible shape and our local small businesses need all the breaks leadership can offer to help them survive. The success of small business in Floyd County will lead us to a better Floyd County. Our small business owners put everything they own on the line to keep their business operating, we need to give them all the support that they deserve. County government need to be accountable to our citizens how they are spending their tax dollars.

“I would meet with every County Department Supervisor and see where we can cut expenses without cutting employees, I would let every employee of the County know that this County belongs to them also and need their input and help in cutting every wasted expense we have.

“Fuel is a major expense to everyone and we need to make sure our County Vehicles are on a conservation program.

WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN 2009 WITH THE PROPOSED NEW COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER? “We definitely need a Floyd County Youth Shelter for our youth. Floyd County Leaders should have solved this problem a long time ago. I am not against our new YMCA, I am glad to see it downtown, but what is more important when spending our tax dollars? My answer; Our Youth. I believe the Youth Shelter could have been incorporated into the YMCA built near it so the youth could utilize the facility. I believe the Caesar’s Foundation, and other contributors could have worked the Youth Shelter into the plans. We need a safe, clean, sound Youth Shelter and we need it soon, County government should do their job and get it done. The Floyd County Home would have been a great place if County Government would have not let it get in the condition it is in.

“I do not want to see the Historical Floyd County Home on Grantline Road torn down; our historical sites in Floyd County should never be allowed to get in such poor condition. They don’t get that way overnight, it is caused by neglect. I believe all historical sites should be properly maintained so that they can be used by the County for places like a Youth Shelter. Once a building is torn down it is gone. I have a wall full of historical pictures of buildings in Floyd County that is no longer there and that is sad.

“The Floyd County Youth Shelter will be one of my top priorities when I take office in January.”

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? “Sheriff Darrell Mills has done a great job with the Floyd County Police Department since being elected. The morale of his officers is very high and they are very professional and well trained in doing their jobs of keeping our County safe. The New Albany City Police Department, Georgetown Police, and Greenville’s Marshall’s office is also doing a great job. I will support law enforcement 100%.

“I have been an active Floyd County Reserve Police officer and I have observed the over crowding of our jail for years. I believe proper planning needs to be done to insure that we don’t keep building new jails.

“I believe inmates need to be treated fairly but also disciplined enough to where they don’t keep committing their crimes.

“Overcrowding of the jails is a compliment to our Law Officers in doing their jobs of getting them off of the street. We need to provide all the tools they need to insure our public safety.

“Our Judges have done an excellent job of getting these offenders incarcerated and off the streets for our protection. The illegal immigrants in our jails need to be processed out of our county as quickly as they can be. Our local jail is not for long term offenders and those types of offenders should be sent off to the State Prisons. I believe with the new Superior Court 3 we will be getting, will speed up this process.

“I do believe we need to address the overcrowding of our jail, I don’t know where the money will come from to build a new jail or expand what we have, that is why we need to do some proper planning so we don’t build a new jail every few years. I would like to see inmates cleaning our cemeteries, roads, and any other jobs that they could do. They must be securely guarded and chained when performing these duties, so that citizens are comfortable with their safety.

“Sheriff Mills and I have a very good working relationship and I believe together the Commissioners and his department can come up with ideas in correcting our over crowding of our jail.

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 believe consolidation of government is very low on the priority list at this time, what will be gain by combining government? We will have the same amount of employees we would need bigger offices for the combined services. I feel like the Governor of Indiana has more problems than wasting taxpayers dollars in conducting these types of studies.

“Like many of our elected officials our Governor has no idea what the common citizen is experiencing in our extremely bad economy.

“Our Governor has the best health care, doesn’t know what food costs really are because all of his meals are free, or how much it takes to fill up a gas tank today.

“He needs to look again at the real problems this state has and react and quit trying to be a Bush clone.

“This type of government officials have no idea what the majority of the citizens of this County is experiencing. We may need to have a commission on reorganization of a State “reorganization plan”

“The best local Government would be to regularly have the Commissioners, both Councils, Town and Township officials, and fire and police leaders to meet and discuss ways we can work together as a team to solve the many problems we have now and will be facing in the future. That would be the best form of consolidation we could have for our county.

“One last note, I believe the City and County needs to quit fighting over trivial issues (I will let you figure out those issues) and solve problems that need attention that effects our economy, infrastructure, our loss of businesses.

“It will be a pleasure to work with the other County Commissioners, the Mayor, both Councils, and every citizen in Floyd County. I love and sincerely care about Floyd County.

“Let’s move to a “New Direction for a Better Floyd County.

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 or arrested in the United States or any other country.”