Sept 2024
- Roads and Bridges – Management and Planning. Communicate the condition of all roads and bridges along with the plan and budget for repairs, replacements, and paving. Work with the County Council to support improvement in planning and funding.
- Indian Hill—Re-Opening. Re-open the Railroad Crossing, Road, and Access to the Tecumseh Trail. Submit a plan that will be approved by INDOT and find the money to make the required changes.
- Music Center – Support Public Forums – Support public forums that allow citizens to voice their opinions to sell or keep and determine how excess revenue will be distributed. The BCMC is a popular venue in the county, and there remain questions about ownership or management by the government as opposed to the private sector. Any changes will require significant public support and a majority vote of the commissioners and council. The outcome can include a better understanding of the situation and community support and buy-in on the way ahead.
- The Process for the management and distribution of the revenue
- Financial Management. Support needed improvements in financial management to prevent the need for higher taxes.
- Expansion of Sewers—Bean Blossom. Confirm the justification for assuring citizens that the scope and extent of the projects are warranted. This would include a presentation of the County Wastewater Strategic Plan and Watershed Study.
- Impaired Waterways and Causes. I summarized this post during the Candidate Forum.
- County Comprehensive Planning. I support a grass-roots approach where citizens determine what they want and do not want in terms of economic development and quality of life in their areas/neighborhoods, districts, and county. Development of the plan should not be fast-tracked (rushed). The Helmsburg community is a good example of citizen leadership in planning. A comprehensive plan guides zoning, which influences our economic base and budgets.
- School Referendum The referendum was successful. I will support public forums in 2024-25 to document the concerns, questions, and options that residents raised on a variety of issues, including declining enrollment and fear of possible consolidations in the future.
- Brown County League of Women Voters – Questions for Candidates – Published in the Brown County Democrat
- May Primary Response to questions Topics included: County relationship with Nashville, Citizen Participation, Financial Challenges, and Housing.
- Nov General Election – Response to Questions: Topics: Comprehensive Planning, Affordable Housing, Future of the Music Center, Health and Wellness, Salt Creek Trail
- Brown County Commissioner Candidate Forum September 21, 2024 Nashville, Indiana. Candidates had 90 seconds to respond to 8 questions. Opening and closing comments were also limited to 90 seconds.
- Allowing Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) on County Roads – Why the Rush? Now that the ordinance has passed, advocates have the opportunity to demonstrate that it is a positive change for the county. Everyone will have the opportunity to make their case for any needed changes. The Ordinance was introduced and passed within a 30-day window. My position was to allow more time to inform, listen, and respond to concerns, questions, and risks that would allow a little more time to prepare the community for the changes.
- State Grants – Stellar 2026. In conjunction with developing a new county comprehensive plan, now is the time to start working to get community buy-in and support for projects and priorities. County matching funds may be required.
- Unfunded Requirements (UFRs). As part of the budget process, organizations will be asked to identify any unfunded requirements. This information helps provide a more accurate picture of unmet needs in the county.
- Capital Improvement Planning. Maintaining an updated plan will be a priority. This plan identifies repair and replacement costs of county infrastructure. This information also identifies unfunded requirements.
- Endorsement. Commissioner Ron Sanders has endorsed my candidacy, and I supported his. We both believe in researching the issues before a vote and doing what’s best for all citizens, not just special interests. Neither of us has the support of a few in the local GOP leadership, which believes they (and not state law and state party rules) should have the power to determine who should be a Republican candidate in county elections. State Party Platform and Rules.
- Rule 1-25. The term “Republican in Good-Standing” shall be defined as a Republican who supports Republican nominees and who does not actively or openly support another candidate against a Republican nominee.
