Sat, Nov 22 2008

Politics/Government |

Published: April 02, 2008 08:33 am

CANDIDATE Q&A: Floyd County Council At-Large Republican Primary

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.

Rocky Cambron

• AGE: 44

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: University of Louisville B.S.; Ivy Tech State College A.S.; Indiana Law Enforcement Academy

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: US BANK Corporate Investigations; Former Police Officer State of Indiana; United States Army Reserves

• FAMILY NOTES: Wife Becky Cambron; Three children Garrett, Morgan and Evan

1) Why are you running for this office?

“I feel it is my responsibility to help lead Floyd County and to contribute to the continued growth and safety of the community.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“The most importan issue is the recent change in the Property Tax for the State of Indiana and how it will affect the funding received in the counties. I plan to ensure that emergency services and public works as well as other areas continue to meet the needs of Floyd County and its residents.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“I have been a resident of Floyd County for over 15 years. This is my first time to run for political office in Indiana. I have no ties to any special interest groups or hidden agenda’s. I would speak for all residents of Floyd County.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“The local county governments are guided by state and federal laws in many areas including illegal immigration. The Floyd County Council should govern accordingly while reflecting the concerns of the residents of Floyd County.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“Government’s must look to the future through long term planning. The communities best interests must be the deciding factor for change. Progress is fueled by new ideas and the ability to adapt to the changing enviroment. change is sometimes viewed negativley, but it is often needed and the results may not appear for sometime down the road.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“Floyd County is unique in that there are both urban and rual areas that continue to grow. This growth leads to many people with different backgrounds living together in communites. All persons should feel safe in their homes as well as being able to express themselves as individual’s under the letter of the law.”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“The county road department would be contacted to determine the current status of any road improvments or repairs related to roadway markings. Based on their response the appropriate action would be taken to improve the safety of our Floyd County roadways.”

Dana (Zabel) Fendley

• AGE: 56

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: New Albany High School Class of 1969; Attended IUS and Ivy Tech

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Vice President of the Floyd County Council; Retired from BellSouth as a Network Planner; Former owner of Fashion Tree, New Albany

• FAMILY NOTES: Married to Frank Fendley for 27 years, no children; Daughter of Donald and (the late) Jennie Zabel.

1) Why are you running for this office?

“I have really enjoyed my time on the County Council and I love being able to make a difference in my community. After seeing the way our county was being run, I knew my common sense approach was needed to balance the chaos.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“Property tax replacement will be the most important issue in 2008 and probably in 2009 and 2010. The state has frozen our budget for the last two years and reducing our expenses is going to be our best option. I support the elimination of the township form of government and the use of technology and volunteers to save taxpayer dollars while protecting public safety. I was the only one who voted against adding a local tax and will continue to be against new taxes.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“My unique contribution to the county council is my volunteer spirit. I volunteer my time and money to many projects and encourage others to get involved in public service. I helped to start the charitable fund for the Floyd County Youth Services Bureau and made the first contribution.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“The federal government’s inability to secure our borders has created a serious problem for counties. For example, illegal immigrants who break the law are provided interpreters and legal council at taxpayer expense. I don’t think that due process is a right that should be given to non-citizens, but until the federal government secures the borders any illegals that are deported soon return. Our hands are tied and so we put the law breakers in jail to keep them from coming back and breaking the law again. The only successful solution is secure borders, and that is in the hands of the federal government.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“According to Webster’s Dictionary, A progressive is a person believing in moderate political change and social improvement by government action. I think that term is ambigous. Government action is sometimes a hinderance to change and social improvement. a good example is the abuse of our welfare system. I define progress as moving forward with new ideas while cleaning out your old ways of doing things. In my vision of progress, what gets left behind is the old style partisan politics in government.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“This is a problem that has been discussed in other counties. If you try to legislate how people can use their property, you run into rights issues. i don’t think we need new laws in this instance, just some common sense. On the other hand, if some nut job is shooting close enough to my property to be a danger to me and my family, then I would be calling the police and let them sort it out with the neighbor.”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“I agree that county roads are not lit like city roads, but there shouldn’t be a problem to begin using reflective paint in the future. The embedded reflectors become detached during snow removal, so i wouldn’t recommend them. However, reflective paint is a good solution. We need to ensure that our road contractors are using reflective products.”

Harry T. Harbison

• AGE: 69

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: New Albany High School 1957

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Public service Record - New Albany City Council-at-Large 1980-1984, Trustee at Floyd Memorial Hospital 1989- 1993, New Albany Park Board 1985 - 2005, River Hill Redevelopment Board, New Albany Trash Force presently.

• FAMILY NOTES: My wife and I have been married for 25 years. My family consists of Lori, Andy, Tisi, Diana, Tony, Tommy, Two stepsons: Jay and Ted, and Ten grandchildren.

1) Why are you running for this office?

“I share the concerns of all citizens and property owners. I want to provide New Albany taxpayers with honest representation and work on matters that concern them such as: the increasing rates on water, sewer, electric, and gas bills. I feel a member of the council is a servant of the people and has a responsibility to work for better services, at the same time stretching their tax dollars as much as possible. I will be that type of person on the New Albany City Council.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“To get bonds to be released and to start the building of the new youth shelter behind the building which currently occupies the solid waste and community corrections offices.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“Keeping up with local county issues. Such as reviewing local zoning laws and ordinances, and checking on the plans of the county planning commission for changes that need to be made.

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No problem with non-traffic court.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS:

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“Police the hiring of illegal immigrants and monitor suspicious traffic across our local borders.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“Planning ahead to direct an area that should either be commercial or residential and presenting it to the planning commission so they can be progressive for the county.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“It is illegal to shoot a deer out of season. It is legal to shoot a deer in season so long as its done in a safe and proper manner. You should also have possession of an animal control tag to shoot the deer off of your property.”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“Newer roadway markers and signs should be sufficient. If none exist they should be reported to the county office for road maintenance at 812-923-3041.”

Tonye A. Rutherford• AGE: 42

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Graduate of Jeffersonville High School 1983

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: U.S. Navy 1983-90, Church Deacon (Emmaus Road Church)

• FAMILY NOTES: Married to Leigh Ann (Tinius) Rutherford, Three Daughters Sarah, Ashley, and Alyssa and Son, Brent

1) Why are you running for this office?

“I think it is our duty to help in any way possible to help improve our community, by running I hope to give a different insight to the problems our community faces. (Streets, Local Government Overspending, property taxes etc.)

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“As I stated before, Streets, Local Government Overspending and property taxes, these are ALL important issue that need to be addressed. Start holding officials responsible for balancing the budget; hold them accountable for street maintenance and how they are scheduled and also push the state for a fair and yet affordable property tax.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“I bring insight from a common, working class, family oriented person. I think a lot is put on business sense, I also think you should consider all options when making difficult decisions regarding the community.

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“My opinon is simple, the law is the law; if you are in this country illegally you should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. no amnesty.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“I do consider myself progressive, however progress comes with tough decisions, lets not mistake progress and growth. progress for the community is good as long as we weight all options as it comes to progress, by all options we should first consider how it benefits the community.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“This situation I believe is a crime, someone shooting within the range of a neighbors home should be held accountable. however lets be careful not to infringe on the right to citizens to have firearms.”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“First lets start by stopping local government officials from giving themselves raises. next, we can start to solve these problems by proper management of the budget, holding all officials responsible for the safety of the community

Larry M. Summers

• AGE: 24

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: I attended Pine View Elementary School, Hazelwood Middle School and graduated from Borden High School with an academic honors diploma; I then went on to the University of Evansville where I graduated with two engineering degrees in four years (B.S. of Civil Engineering and B.S. of Engineering Management). I was the president of the Dean's Advisory Council, Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering Honor Society), and Village Council; a Supreme Court Justice for the Student Government Association; the Engineering Representative to the University Honor Council; Treasurer for Powell Hall Council; Historian the ASCE Student Chapter; and a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honor Society), Phi Eta Sigma (Honor Society) and National Society of Collegiate Scholars (Honor Society).

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: I have worked for HMB Professional Engineers, Inc., as a project engineer in the Highway Division since graduation in May of 2006.

• FAMILY NOTES: I am married to my high school sweetheart Ashley. We have three Siberian Huskies (Sammy, Rusty and Midnight) as well as a cat (Andy).

1) Why are you running for this office?

“I love the community in which I live, and I feel that I have much to offer. I grew up in New Albany, and I feel that I should give back to the community and the county that has given me so much.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“The most important issue facing the county council is funding. As with any organization, funds are becoming increasingly hard to come by. The last I heard, the state had frozen the budget for the county therefore it is urgent that our county raise its revenue to cope with its expenses.

“Many people believe that we must raise taxes to increase revenue; however, I believe that we should attract new businesses and citizens to the county so that we can increase revenue without raising taxes. That is why I work with organizations that try to increase the attractiveness of Floyd County and its communities so that businesses and new citizens move here. The Floyd County Council should do everything in its power to attract new businesses and if I am elected I would make that my number one priority.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“As a roadway engineer, I would be able to provide the council with a unique perspective from an engineering consultant's point of view in an area in which our county needs some of the most help-its roadways. Also, I am young so I would be an ambassador, of sorts, to the youth of our community. Finally, I am Cherokee so I understand the perspective of many minorities; therefore, I could be an ambassador, of sorts, to minorities as well.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“Individuals that believe they have spotted an illegal immigrant should call the proper authorities at 1-866-347-2423; however, the local government should look into the Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) to work with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) more efficiently. ICE has made information-sharing partnership with other law enforcement entities a key strategy in the agency's homeland security mission, according to their website.

“The LESC provides timely and accurate information to law enforcement officers of the immigration status and identity of individuals who have been arrested or are under investigation for criminal activity.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“I would definitely consider myself progressive because it is my goal to improve the county and the communities within this county. By definition in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, progress is gradual betterment or a forward/onward movement. It is my goal that we, as a community, better ourselves and that the politicians that represent the people better the community via their initiatives.

“I would prefer to think not what will be left behind in my view of progress but rather what will be brought forward. I would love to see the roads in this county be improved, greater government accountability, and increased revenue for the county without raising taxes. Nevertheless, if you would like me to state one thing I would like left behind in my vision of progress, I must say the high property taxes we are currently experiencing must be left behind.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“As someone who lived in an unincorporated area for approximately eight years, I must say that I understand the worry of being shot by a neighbor who is careless with his or her firearm. I fully support the second amendment; nevertheless, the owner should be cognizant of the safety of others while shooting his or her gun. I do not believe the county council would be able to do anything to stop said occurrences; however, you may be able to bring the issue before the county commissioners.”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“As a roadway engineer, my recommendation would be to paint reflective lane lines to, at very minimum, denote the edges of pavement. Some roadways are not wide enough to paint a center line but those could be added in locations where it is feasible. As the question states, lighting would be too expensive to install and maintain throughout the county. Also, “embedded roadway reflectors” can be rather expensive to maintain.”

Candidates(s) listed on the ballot that did not submit questionnaires by deadline include: William Fender III of Greenville.