Seven candidates are running for three seats on the Hancock County Council in the the Nov. 5 general election to have a say in guiding the county’s financial future.
Democrats Carol Pearson, Linda Robinson and Frank Rock, Jr.; Libertarian Luke Lomax; and Republicans Kent Fisk, John Jessup and Robin Lowder are in contention for three seats currently held by Fisk, Lowder and current council president Jeannine Gray, who is the lone candidate running to replace Jessup’s spot on the Hancock County Board of Commissioners.
Each candidate was invited to sit down for an interview and sent a questionnaire initially designed for a candidate grid, the responses for which have been repurposed for this article. The questions on the questionnaire were as follows:
How do you plan to address the growth of the county?
Should the council increase, decrease or maintain the number of tax abatements it has granted over the past several years?
How do you plan to protect farmland within the county?
What changes should be made, if any, to county employee pay and benefits?
How do you plan to keep the county fiscally stable long-term?
CAROL PEARSON:
Pearson said she was inspired to run for county council when she saw a lack of ideological diversity at the county level.
“I had noticed that there weren’t as many Democrats running as Republicans typically in Hancock County, and we’re trying to increase the number of people that we have in government that are in the Democratic party.”
She went on to note that she felt county funds are currently being mismanaged.
“I think we need to make sure that we’re spending money in the right places,” Pearson said. “I know there are some infrastructural things, like emergency services in certain areas, that are not being funded as well as they could be.”
Pearson also said that the county needs to make its website more user-friendly so that county residents can more easily access information.
Questionnaire answers:
Growth: By making sure we keep emergency services and infrastructure properly funded in order to make sure we grow responsibly.
Abatements: I believe we should decrease the abatements offered overall, and when we do offer them, make sure certain requirements are met, such as hiring goals and assistance with resource usage.
Farmland: While ultimately we cannot control to whom farmers who may be retiring sell their land, I think we should offer incentives to those who wish to farm in order to encourage new families who wish to enter that field to take over farmland that is being sold.
Employee pay: Ultimately, we need to make sure that county employees are making a livable, competitive wages and benefits to encourage retention of workers who are qualified in their respective fields.
Fiscal Responsibility: We will need to make sure we are taxing properties, both for business and personal use, at a rate that is fair. In addition, we should look into matching grants as appropriate for additional funding. We will also need to assess spending regularly to determine where to best allocate resources.
LINDA ROBINSON:
Robinson said that a lack of diversity throughout county government drove her to run for the Council.
“I think that I can make a difference for Hancock County by listening to the people and trying to advocate for us on the County Council to get more people involved,” Robinson said, going on to explain that she feels meeting times need to be moved to accommodate citizens wishing to speak in public hearings.
She went on to say that she knew she didn’t have all the answers, but that she was committed to reaching out to voters and researching topics as they came before the council.
“That’s why I think I’m a good candidate for the council because I want to investigate what’s going on and what needs to happen, then try to persuade the people that are on the County Council to go a different way if necessary.”
Questionnaire answers:
Growth: How I would plan to address growth is to try and hold forums/town halls in as many [locations] as possible. Since the current Council holds meeting at an inopportune times for the citizens I would like to see these held in the evenings or weekends to hear what the public wants.
Abatements: I believe the council should decrease the number of tax abatements at this time and find other alternatives out of fairness to all.
Farmland: I do feel the government should be heavily involved to protect the farmland. I do understand why families sell farms to the big warehouse corporations, but finding other alternatives I feel would help decrease this.
Employee pay: I need to research this more to see what has been done in the past. However I feel that the county employees are underpaid from what I am hearing.
Fiscal Responsibility: Robinson said she felt she needed to do additional research and that she felt this issue was too important to “speak out of turn.”
FRANK ROCK, JR.:
While Rock did not respond to the Reporter’s questionnaire or request for an interview, Rock attended last month’s County Council Voter Forum, at which he answered questions directly from voters. An article detailing those answers can be found on our website.
LUKE LOMAX:
Lomax said that he felt that the County government was not transparent enough, saying he realized that after finding it difficult to find records surrounding property he bought in 2019. In addition to streaming, which is required by all local governments by July of next year, Lomax said that streams needed a comment section for residents to provide feedback on policy. For the same reasons, he suggested hosting town halls throughout the county.
In terms of policy, Lomax said he wanted to decrease taxes, spending, and reliance on tax increment financing for county projects.
Questionnaire answers:
Growth: Responsibly. The growth, especially in commercial and residential spaces is extremely important. I think it is important for our citizens that we not diminish our generational family farmlands to a future of vacant warehouses. This is achieved through zoning historically, but as a Libertarian, I think zoning strictly limits practical uses and is far too restrictive and wrapped up in too much red tape. I believe eliminating tax abatements for these warehouse development and property management companies will disincentivize them from venturing into otherwise serviceable residential lands and properties.
Abatements: This is the easiest question here. Decrease, eliminate, expire, what other words can I use?
Farmland: I believe farmers are the backbone of our community. I cannot fault farmers or families of farmers for wanting to sell, and I cannot stand for the mistreatment of those that have done and continue to do the thankless job of feeding our families (or just their families) with local produce and livestock. The property tax situation and regulation in our state have caused many families to have the conversation about sustainability of family farms, both fiscally and legally. The government should get out of the way of farmers. If they aren’t poisoning the ground or food, or needlessly killing wildlife, they should be allowed to operate their business the way they want. Employee pay: The first order of business should be an audit of county expenditures, especially in administrative positions. I believe there is too much bloat in our county budget and every line of the budget needs explored, even the ones that are uncomfortable. I believe it should also be done publicly to ensure transparency with the citizens as they should know how THEIR money is being spent.
Fiscal Responsibility: Cutting spending wherever possible, stopping tax abatements, embracing responsible growth, and being the community everyone wants to come to, not because of our “amenities,” but because of our community. My plan is to provide a different perspective on the board, one that returns to the fiscal responsibility and personal freedoms that the founders of our country fought to establish and protect.
KENT FISK:
Questionnaire answers:
Growth: One major project the County Government has been working on for a few years now is the additional interchange at 200 West. The number of vehicles trying to enter and exit the Greenfield exit has tripled over the years and when completed, will make our interstate much safer and easily accessible.
Abatements: For almost two years now, tax abatements have not been issued. I believe that we can wait for the best of businesses focusing on manufacturing not just warehousing. I hope the cities follow our lead and strive for only the best businesses to support our communities, quality over quantity.
Farmland: One way of allowing people to keep their property is to keep taxes under control. While I have been on the council our tax rate has dropped almost every year. I don’t believe that the Government can keep farmers from selling their property and this question suggests that the farmers need protected from someone taking their property, but in reality
extremely high land values has allowed farm families to sell their property for great wealth. If protecting farmland means restricting landowners from selling their property, I think that would be unconstitutional and a crime.
Employee pay: Keeping up with inflation has been almost impossible and health care costs have risen to the point that each employee’s healthcare benefit equals about $35,000 per year. If we slow down the growth of government then we can continue to give raises and keep paying for current benefits and hopefully out pace inflation and better take care of our current employees without raising taxes.
Fiscal Responsibility: Our county is fiscally stable. We have been following a sustainability plan for ten years now and have ample balances our funds such as the Rainy day fund, but if we let our government to grow unchecked, no amount of money held in a fund will keep the county secure for any amount of time. Our County is fiscally strong, living through a recession and a pandemic since 2010 we have done a great job in preparing us for the next disaster, if it ever comes.
JOHN JESSUP:
Jessup’s final year as a county commissioner has been embroiled in scandal. He was arrested and charged with sexual assault in June, and is now under house arrest. Earlier this month, he was accused of sexual harassment by Director of Hancock County Homeland Security Misty Moore.
ROBIN LOWDER:
Lowder said she had no regrets concerning her time so far on the council. “I’m a very thoughtful person so I and I do a lot of research before I make a decision, So I think I’ve made a lot of good decisions for the community Because I love the county,” Lowder said. “I’ve worked for the county a really long time and I do it because I enjoy the people and … I’ve always wanted to help and do the right thing.”
Lowder noted that her time as County Auditor helped prepare her for her role on the council
Questionnaire answers:
Growth: We have been preparing for the growth of our County in several ways. We started by recently ordering a new Comprehensive Plan. The results of this study was the need for more executive and affordable housing. We also need more amenities, parks and infrastructure, while protecting agriculture and rural areas. We are working diligently to provide these necessary items.
Abatements: Any new businesses seeking a Tax Abatement should consider the unoccupied buildings within the Economic Development/TIF areas. These buildings already have a Tax Abatement. The taxes owed on them are being paid. This would be beneficial for everyone. I can see no need to grant any new Tax Abatements.
Farmland: The salaries and benefits need to be competitive so Hancock County can employ people that are well qualified. We need to continue to balance our salaries and benefits with the County Budget. My experience has been we can also find employees that are dedicated to our Home County. This has always been a significant motivation for me.
Employee pay: I plan to keep the county fiscally stable long-term by having a sound Financial Plan. Our council has set target balances for our major funds. With this financial plan we will be stable even though at times the economy is not. We also set our budget as low as possible each year. I plan to continue this financial planning if elected.
Fiscal Responsibility: The county recently adopted The Hancock County Comprehensive Plan. Within this plan there is protection for our agriculture and rural areas. The majority of the county is still agricultural and rural. The Future Hancock Vision is agricultural and rural areas are intended to remain largely undeveloped. This part of the plan was designed to protect our agricultural and rural areas.
Note: Fisk did not respond to a request for interview, Rock and Jessup did not respond a request for interview nor a candidate questionnaire from the Daily Reporter.
