David Stillinger and Joe Fortner are seeking the Republican nomination for county coroner in the June 2 primary election. The Daily Reporter asked both men a series of questions about their qualifications. Each of their responses is posted in a separate story located under the “News” tab on our site.
What experience and background make you best qualified for this office?
As the incumbent, I have completely restructured the Coroner’s office from the ground up. I have built relationships with the county commissioners, county council, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Greenfield Police Department and Hancock Health. Using new resources, I have cut the time for toxicology results from as much as six months to as little as 14 days.
As a funeral director and coroner, I have worked with the coroner’s office on cases within the county for almost 25 years. In 2008, I became an Indiana State Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator and began my training as a deputy coroner in Hancock County. My professional experience has awarded me the opportunity to understand the shortcomings of the coroner’s office and how those shortfalls impact families and funeral homes. I am a critical thinker with the ability to articulate the facts to all involved and the wherewithal to complete investigations in a timely manner. As a business owner, I understand budgeting and finance.
At a time of pandemic and attention focusing more on public health and mortality, what role could the county coroner play in aiding the public’s understanding of these issues?
As coroner I have been in contact with local law enforcement, emergency management, county officials and Hancock Health to establish a plan for multiple deaths which includes the procurement of extra supplies for the safety of my staff, items needed for the proper care, transportation of and secure housing of decedents. My staff and I have learned that transparency helps educate the public as to the need for proper preparedness for these types of disasters. We pride ourselves on being professionals that convey the needed information to the public about statistics of causalities that the county incurs.
What are the most significant issues facing the coroner’s office, and what is your plan to address them?
The coroner’s office is in significant need of its own office, morgue and autopsy suite. It is my goal to work with county officials to secure a space within the existing jail which provides the security our office requires. Security of the decedents and all associated evidence are of highest priority to me.
