The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/89560
A-6 Wednesday, October 24, 2012 PIKE COUNTY FALL 2012 The Press-Dispatch ELECTION PREVIEW COUNTY COUNCIL-AT-LARGE Six vying for three spots in County Council race ty council seats is between six candidates: three incum- bents—Joe Sutton, Dennis Bishop and Greg Willis— and three newcomers— Tom Hensler, Jim Johns and Kerry Aldridge. The at-large race is unusual in that it al- lows voters to vote for three people. The top three vote- getters win the at-large seats. Below are profiles of each candidate. The race for three coun- By Andy Heuring tired from Norfolk Southern Railway after 41 years with the railroad. He and his late wife, Gin- TOM HENSLER (D) Hensler of Petersburg re- there," said Johns. "I think there are ways to reduce the cost of health in- surance. There are different ways to do that." "Economic development Tom Hensler (D) Bishop(R) Dennis to decide who gets funding." He said people should vote for him because: "I can make a difference. I have the time, knowledge and desire to do the right thing that is important to all of us here in Pike County." ny, have three adult chil- dren: Christine, Thomas Jr. and Pamela. He is a board member of United Way and PAWS as well as county coordinator for the American Cancer Society. He is a life member of the Petersburg VFW and American Legion. Hensler graduated from ry, live in Petersburg and have three adult daughters: Stacy, Robin and Stephanie; and one grandson, Ely. Dennis and Sherry have DENNIS BISHOP (R) Bishop and his wife, Sher- East St. Louis, Illinois High School and attended George Meny Institute on lobbying efforts and governmental af- fairs. "I have been doing a year- ly budget for my member- ship and retirees totaling 3,500 people as the Indiana State Director for the United Transportation Union, which also involved managing day- to-day operations and lobby- ing on the state level," said Hensler about his experi- ence. He said he is running "to owned and operated Peters- burg Hardware since 1995. Prior to that, Bishop worked for PSI in the accounting de- partment. He earned a BS degree in Gary J. (Joe) Sutton (D) One of the biggest problems we've had is a bid process for major projects would come back with only one prospect whose specifications were used. That concerns me," said Bishop. "Government process is often slow, but it is for a rea- son. That is to ensure the in- tegrity of the process," said Bishop. "I'm concerned about the Jim Johns (R) Willis (R) Greg K. finance from Murray State University and later got a minor in accounting from the University of Southern Indiana. He is a member of the Pike County Optimist Club, Petersburg Kiwanis Club, Pike County Growth Coun- cil, Odd Fellows and the First United Methodist Church. Bishop said along with 18 matters are presented to the council for their consid- eration, I will represent the public and not a party." When asked if there was put some stability in the county council decision- making process as they go through various things like budgets and funding various departments. I think my ex- perience will allow me to fo- cus on those areas in a more fair and equitable fashion. And I will not be intimidat- ed by department heads for other political entities." Hensler added, "When attack on the coal industry and its direct effect on Pike County and employment at mines and generating sta- tions and people who haul it. We have more than 100 jobs just waiting out at the Solar mine for EPA approval—jobs that pay in the $25-an-hour range." He added, "Pike County success of this business is tied directly with the Pike County economy. My sole purpose in doing this is to make sure our focus is on the growth of Pike Coun- ty and not to be complacent with the past, but seek bet- ter things for the future," said Bishop about why he is running for council. When asked if there years of owning and operat- ing the hardware store, he worked in accounting and fi- nance at PSI, where his last position was as a supervisor of accounts payable. "My business and the needed more spending, in- cluding: economic develop- ment, emergency medical service, roads and bridges, seniors and childrens issues and recreation. He listed several of his an area the county was spending too much money in, Hensler said, "A candi- date running for office can only answer that after he is elected and has time to see exactly how much money is too much for a particular item. Only then can he truly answer this question." He said several areas goals if he is elected: "I would like for the com- missioners and county coun- cil to work together com- pletely on all issues that will benefit the citizens of our county and stop all this fin- ger pointing and drama that we have seen in the past." When additional funding was something the coun- ty spends too much mon- ey on he said, "I can't think of anything we spend too much on. There are more needs for funds in the coun- ty than there are funds. One thing we always need to be cognizant of is the unex- pected. We are in better fi- nancial shape than any oth- er county I know of. We are prepared for many things," said Bishop. He added, "The prose- pushing for a road plan, which is a plan that will give us direction on repair- ing roads and paving roads based on need. I was very disappointed in the informa- tion we got from the previ- ous engineer. Without that, we have no logical direc- tion for future road expen- ditures," said Bishop about goals. He said people should needs those jobs because of the government with an an- ti-coal agenda. We are going to be losing property tax dol- lars because of the closing of Ratts." "The council has been vote for him because, "I don't hold this position be- cause I have an agenda. I have two kids who graduat- ed from Pike Central and I'm doing this because I want Pike County to be a place where children can come back and live and have an opportunity to live and grow the county." GARY J. (JOE) SUTTON (D) cutor has attended various meetings to make us aware of the enormous pauper at- torney fees and potential cost of trials facing the coun- ty. There are more needs than we have money." When asked if there is tian Church in Petersburg and a member of the Pike Masonic Lodge and Pike County Shrine Club. Sutton is a 1980 graduate burg is Area Manager of Ve- olia Environmental Services. He and his wife, Ann, have two daughters, Nicole and Sarah, and a son, Chris. He is a Deacon at Chris- Sutton of rural Peters- something the county needs to spend more money on he said, "The county is in need of better equipment. Much of the equipment is old." "We got good news on the is requested from a depart- ment head or county entity, "I will not rob Peter to pay Paul. I will not allow anyone to use the Rainy Day Fund or the economic develop- ment fund as their private reserve." "I will not play the game of rock, paper and scissors EMS building. The things that need to be fixed aren't nearly as critical as we were led to believe. That allows us to have more time to ap- proach future construction in a more careful manner." "We have a committee of terms as a county council- man. "I'm a business owner and of Pike Central High School and attended Oakland City University for a year taking vo-technical welding class- es. Also, through his em- ployment, he has taken sem- inars and continued educa- tion in environmental engi- neering, computer design and surveying. Sutton has served two council members and com- missioners who are looking into that and all alternatives. farmer in the Pike County area, managing my own fi- nances. My responsibilities, managing projects and fiscal responsibility for six compa- nies is my experience," said Sutton. "I'm a resident and tax- payer in the county. I would money spent on them, Sut- ton said, "I can think of a lot of things, but we could spend more wisely. I think all the departments are fund- ed adequately, with the ex- ception of the highway de- partment—we continue to use EDIT funds to supple- ment road improvements." Sutton had a list of goals dialogue between the coun- cil and the commission- ers so we can look forward and plan for expenditures and needs. Currently we get funding requests and not a lot of information for those requests. I think as things get more and more expen- sive, and items get pushed down to the county level, we have to work more closely with the commissioners to make sure we are getting the best value for our dollar." Sutton said people should was something the coun- ty spends too much mon- ey on he said, "I think some departments in the county could spend a tremendous amount of money that isn't warranted. We are faced with decisions on a new am- bulance building that could approach $1 million. It needs to be thoroughly investigat- ed before we do that," said Sutton, He added, "The county highway department is in sorry shape. We don't have the finances to go out and buy all the new equip- ment we need. So we need to work with the commission- ers to prioritize our needs and spending." On things that need more like to remain on the council to continue to improve the county services while main- taining control of our spend- ing and keeping our proper- ty taxes reasonable. I feel like there are opportunities in the county for economic growth we need to continue to explore and develop." When asked if there Aldridge (D) Kerry Place. He served a four-year ap- prenticeship as a millwright at Whirlpool and had been through supervisor classes after being promoted to su- pervisor. "At Whirlpool I managed 17 millwrights, budgets for upkeep of buildings and hir- ing and staffing people and purchased maintenance equipment," said Johns. He added, "I have had money is allocated fairly. Not equally; fairly for every- one in the county. Not one district or one area, but gen- erally allocated for the bet- terment of everyone in the county." "I want to work together needs to be a focus. We need to spend more on economic development." He said for his goals: "I would like to see the Election day is Nov. 4, 2012 life-long experience of man- aging my own business and money. I have studied a lot of things that go on in council and commissioner business by attending meetings and researching on the internet and talking with state and county officials." "I think I have a lot to of- with the other elected offi- cials to see things done in a timely manner instead of back and forth between the meetings. I think there re- ally needs to be a financial plan put in place for allo- cating future funds if they are available to support the goals of upgrading county equipment and maintaining our buildings." "The major thing for the sion on purchase of equip- ment is one thing we bick- ered around for four or five years on getting something to clean out our ditches. We know that is the main thing for road maintenance." "I think we could allocate fer from my experience and observing in the past the way the council has operat- ed," said Johns about why he is running. He added, "The indeci- council is allocation of mon- ey and staffing. Beyond the elected officials, there is not a position in the county that is there without the approv- al of the council. They need to be evaluated with the in- put of people elected to see that is done properly." Johns said people should vote for him because, "I have the experience and de- sire and time to do the job. I would offer to put partisan- ship aside and do what is best for the county." he would like to accomplish. "I would like to develop a serving the people. I enjoy doing volunteer work and I would enjoy serving the peo- ple." Johns said there were our money more equitably through the county. I'm a conservative, and I think I would bring to the table the desire to better allocate our funding." "I feel like I would enjoy several things he thinks the county spends too much money on. "Where we need to spend vote for him because, "I'm a life-long resident of the county. I have no hidden agenda. My desire to serve in this office is strictly to be a part of helping to bet- ter the county, be more ef- ficient, and spend our mon- ey in a wise manner. I'm not motivated by some of the perks of the office such as insurance. I don't take the insurance. I would appreci- ate your vote so we can con- tinue to improve and grow Pike County in a systemat- ic and efficient way." JIM JOHNS (R) with his wife, Nancy. He is retired after 35 years work- ing at Whirlpool and now does home repair. He has two adult children, Johns lives near Ayrshire International Gideons, Ayr- shire Valley General Baptist Church and volunteers with JAM Club and Somebody's on economic development. It just seems to go here and it, we don't have the mon- ey in the road fund. That is where we need to spend it. We need to spend EDIT for economic development. It has grown in its uses—I called Indy and asked what the guidelines are in spend- ing EDIT funds. They said 'no guidelines, you can pret- ty much spend it wherever." "We have lost our focus WILLIS (R) GREG K. Pike Central High School and earned a BS degree in Accounting from Indiana State University. He is a past treasurer of Certified Public Accountant practicing in Petersburg for the last 29 years. He and his wife, Carla, have three adult children: Nate, Tom and Kin- sey. He is a 1976 graduate of Willis of Petersburg is a Petersburg Jaycees, past treasurer of Petersburg Lit- tle League, served a six- year term on the board of the Pike County Community Foundation and Pike Coun- ty Revolving Loan Board, served on numerous booster clubs at Pike Central and the Moose Lodge, and attends Petersburg United Method- ist Church. Willis listed his expe- rience as serving on the Board of Directors at Citi- Continued on page A-7 Let Us Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Let Us Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Breathie C Iond Comfort. Breat Uhep In Comfort. Call ABLreeas Itnhme Ine Comfort. • Outstanding No Hassle Replacement™ limited warranty and 10 year parts limited warranty protection* • Quiet operation Let Us I Amrprove Your Indoor Air Quality Let Us Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Breathe In Comfort. bout Our Enerrogvy-Efficient Totally Cool itioners • Energy efficiencies as high as 18 SEER‡ * Timely registration required for 10 year parts limited warranty. 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