Banner Graphic, Volume 13, Number 44, Greencastle, Putnam County, 27 October 1982 — Page 6

A6

The Putnam County Banner-Graphic, October 27,1982

Candidates respond to League of Women Voters

As a service to the voters of Putnam County for the Nov. 2 General Election the information contained here was compiled by the League of Women Voters of Greencastle. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting informed citizen participation in government. The candidates for the offices appearing below were sent a questionnaire. They were asked to stay within a specified num-

Questions asked candidates for U.S. Congress: 1. Occupation, training and experience which qualify you for this position. 2. What do you consider the most significant issues confronting the U.S. today? What proposals would you offer to resolve these issues? 3. Do you favor limitations in the imports of foreign products? What actions would you propose in order to make American products more competitive in the foreign market? 4. Given the national concern with increasing costs of health care - can you offer proposals for addressing this situation? 5. What areas of Federal funding would you increase? Which would you decrease?

U.S. SENATE Republican RICHARD G.LUGAR 1. Small businessman, farm owner, former school board member (Indianapolis), former mayor (Indianapolis), U.S. senator since 1977. 2. Reducing unemployment while continuing to restrain inflation is today’s principal challenge. I have proposed a bill to cut mortgage rates for up to 400,000 lower and middle income families. 400,000 new housing starts would lead directly to the employment of 700,000 Americans, while generating more tax revenues than it cost. 3. I have supported modest limitations on foreign imports when I perceived that our trading partners were behaving unfairly. At present, I support so-called “domestic contents” legislation for the auto industry, which would allow unlimited imports but require that most of those cars sold in America be built here by American workers. 4. Fewer than 10 per cent of all Americans incur over 50 per cent of all medical bills. Smokers, heavy drinkers and other citizens who disregard basic rules of good health make up most of this group. Health costs will only be restrained when more citizens are made aware of the importance of preventative health measures and given incentives to pursue them. 5. I make no promise to support spending increases in any area. There are many budget categories, such as education, for which I support maintaining federal support at existing levels. I favor a critical look at all other categories, including national defense. Democrat FLOYD J.FITHI AN 1. Member of Congress, 1975 - present; professor of American history, Purdue; co-operator of family farm; served in U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve, 19521971. 2. Our 9.0 per cent unemployment rate (13.3 per cent here in Indiana) is our No. 1 domestic problem. High interest rates and the fear of inflation follow close behind. The Reagan economic plan, with its across-the-board tax cuts, high deficits and massive arms buildup, is contributing to them. I support an emergency program to bring interest rates down now; replacing the 1983 Reagan tax cut with a tax-based incomes policy to fight inflation over the long haul; an immediate reduction in the arms buildup to reduce the federal deficit; and an aggressive federal commitment to education and job training programs that develop America’s human capital. 3. I philosophically oppose protectionist trade policies. Nevertheless, our trading partners - many of whom substantially subsidize and protect their basic industries - must .understand that they too have a responsibility to maintain free trade. Consequently, I have authored and co-sponsored legislation on domestic content for autos and reciprocal trade. 4. We can achieve this goal by expanding federal support for

ber of words. The candidates’ replies are printed as they answered them if they observed the word limits. The replies of candidates who are running unopposed are not included, i.e. Prosecuting Attorney, County Surveyor and County Clerk. The following information is not to be considered an endorsement of any candidate or party by either the League of Women Voters or the BannerGraphic.

area-wide health planning and essential public health services like childhood immunization; by encouraging concepts like home-based health care for the elderly and chronically ill; and by attacking threats to the public health in the workplace and the environment. 5. Increase: Job training, education, law enforcement, equal opportunity and civil rights enforcement, job safety, basic and applied research, alternative energy sources, environmental controls, nutrition. Social Security, low-income housing, public health services. Decrease: Defense (particularly the strategic arms buildup); interest payments on the national debt (through federal deficit reductions), tax expenditures. *** U.S. HOUSE Seventh District Republican JOHN T. MYERS 1. Elected U.S. representative - 1966; House Appropriations Committee; subcommittees on agriculture and energy; Committee on Standards of Official Conduct; farmer and banker prior to election. 2. The economy. Getting our fiscal house in order. I continue to believe that government deficits and excessive regulation have a major impact on interest rates, productivity and the cost of living. We must come to grips with the fact that we must take care of the highest priority needs of our people and the defense of this nation with a goal of balancing the budget and creating the kind of climate that will create jobs for the unemployed and markets for our agricultural and industrial products. 3. Not generally. Restrictions would increase unemployment and inflation, and trigger trade reprisals which could block our access to foreign agreements. However, I will continue to encourage expansion of foreign markets with an aggressive program of promoting agricultural and industrial exports. 4. Encourage more competition among health care providers. Congress could help by enacting legislation which emphasizes private health care plans, but would provide assistance in the case of catastrophic illnesses or injury. 5. I believe every area of federal funding could be decreased in order to reach a balanced budget. Democrat STEPHEN S. BONNEY 1. Owner of an employment services business. Former college teacher and administrator. Active in politics for 20 years. Experienced in numerous community activities and projects. 2. The economy - balance the budget by cutting spending on nuclear weapons systems and by putting people back to work so that they pay taxes and Social Security. Jobs can be provided by government investments such as making the SBO billion in needed repairs to our interstate highway system plus local road and bridge repair. Rebuilding our nation’s railroads with American lum-

ber and steel would stimulate those dying industries. Threat of nuclear war - we must have a bilateral freeze followed by a mutual arms reduction. Energy -- cut oil imports by using more coal, developing an alcohol fuels program, and solar. 3. No, limitations on imports only lead to limitations on our products into other countries. We would be better served by equalizing the tariff rates for imports and exports. Lower product costs will occur through plant modernization and cheaper energy inputs that can be achieved from alternative energy sources.

Questions asked candidates for the Indiana General Assembly: 1. Occupation, training, and experience which qualify you for this position. 2. What do you anticipate the fiscal impact of the proposed new Federalism would be on the state? How do you foresee the state financing the proposed new Federalism? 3. To what extent and by what mechanism should the state participate in the funding of primary and secondary public education? 4. What do you consider the most significant issues confronting the state of Indiana today? What proposals would you offer to resolve these issues? 5. Do you feel there is a need for additional control over the transportation, storage and disposal of hazardous waste in Indiana? If yes, what?

STATE SENATOR District 38 Republican WILLIAM C. DUNBAR 1. Four years experience in the Indiana General Assembly (Senate). 2. It has become obvious that Indiana will have to, in part, change its philosophy on how it funds certain segments of state government. I feel confident that the state can institute those necessary changes. But the greatest challenge will lie at the local level. It will be imperative that the General Assembly give local units of government the authority to generate revenue to help fund certain segments of local government. 3. Funding for public schools has gone from 35 per cent state participation and 65 per cent local participation to -- 65/35. Enrollment has declined to 970,000. Approximately 80 per cent of every dollar goes toward teacher’s salaries. Schools receive 50 per cent of the sales, income and corporate taxes. Therefore, new dollars must be generated at the local level. 4. Long-term equitable school funding mechanism -- a perpetual funding mechanism with both state and local participation. Escalating cost of welfare, i.e. medicaid - expenditures for medicaid have increased from 10 million to 600 million. The Welfare Department is the only state agency with an openended budget. We need to reconsider our philosophy, particularly in the area of ancillary services. Maintaining our attractive climate for business and individuals - Indiana ranks No. 1 in the lowest amount of local and state taxation per SI,OOO earned. We must work toward maintaining this type of climate, i.e. with tax breaks, incentives, and sound fiscal management. 5. No. With the passage of the new Hazardous waste site legislation enacted last year by the General Assembly and assuming the position of federal government and the EPA does not change drastically, our position is a rather safe one, except we need to take a stronger look at the transportation of hazardous waste. Democrat DENNIS H. STARK 1. Terre Haute attorney, West Vigo High School 1969; ISU 1972; BS degree, education; juris doctor degree, Hamline University School of Law 1976. 2. The Federalism programs will have significant impact on the state government budget. The local levels of government are better equipped to handle “people programs,” but I cannot agree with the methods of cutback used by the president’s program. The present Republican administration is using federalism to make the public believe they are lessening government control; in fact they’re shifting the burdens onto the states, which are

4. Costs can be reduced by decreasing demand on health care facilities. Increased emphasis on illness prevention through better nutrition and physical fitness will increase the state of wellness of our population. This will reduce the amount of illness and the need for treatment. 5. Overall spending must decrease in order to eliminate the half trillion dollar deficits the Reagan budget will create. These cuts must come from nuclear weapons programs that have increased the Pentagon’s share of our tax dollar to 40 cents. These programs do not improve our national defense.

already underfunded and un dermanned. The results will be increased taxes and pressure on state government; at the same time we’ll receive little or no help on our taxes at the national level. 3. Our future is our children, educational funding our wisest investment. The tax levy is frozen, yet expenses increase. Immediate steps must be taken to restructure the school funding system and prevent cutbacks. The Republicancontrolled General Assembly turned deaf ears to education, granting a pitiful one-half of one per cent last session. 4. (1) Unemployment. Indiana ranks fourth nationally in unemployment, which is shameful. We must work to reduce inflation and place higher tariffs on imported goods. (2) Education. We must seek immediate change in the funding system to provide more funds for schools. (3) Workmen’s Compensation. Indiana ranks at the bottom in the U.S. in workmen’s compensation benefits, yet we pay one of the highest insurance rates nationally. I want to raise insurance benefits for injured employees. (4) Roads. Roads are in deplorable condition; proper administration must be created to provide better roads for Indiana. (5) License branch reform. Reduce political patronage from the license branch system. 5. Absolutely yes. Hazardous waste is a problem that may already be out of control. It threatens our streams, soil and our children’s health. Strict immediate control is imperative. We need to investigate members of legislature who may be secretly helping waste disposal operators who are planting cheap, inefficient disposal methods. *** STATE REPRESENTATIVE District 44 Republican JOHN J. THOMAS 1. Attorney; Indiana University School of Law; member of Legislature for last 16 years, with major leadership experience; chairman, Ethics and Aged and Aging committees. 2. Estimates vary greatly, depending upon the eventual trade-off between future state and federal responsibilities. If the proposed transfer of medicaid and food stamp expenses is assumed by the federal government in return for the state assuming costs of the Aid to Dependent Children program, the state will probably fare well. Projected federal predictions indicate that Indiana is in a better position than most states to accept responsibility for the return of responsibilities rightfully belonging to the state and local governments without major adverse financial consequences. It is only on that basis that I can accept the new Federalism. 3. The proportion of ex-

penditure for public education between state and local government should be continued, namely 65 per cent by the state and 35 per cent locally. Exceptions should only be made in rare cases where local per student assessment is extremely low. Greater financial participation by the state may endanger local control. 4. (1) Continued state fiscal soundness. If the normal economy is restored current taxes will probably suffice. If not, some tax restructuring is indicated. Possible greater use of local option taxes or a possible increase in the adjusted gross or sales taxes. (2) The overcrowding of our correctional institutions. Alternatives to sentencing, greater use of work-release programs, and even construction of new facilities must be considered. (3) Stabilization of property tax relief program, especially due to the projected depletion of this fund because of poor economic conditions. (4) Creation of new jobs and retention of existing employment. (5) Review longterm method of financing public education. 5. Problems created by hazardous waste have only been addressed in recent years. Substantial legislation regulating its transportation, storage, and disposal have been enacted within the past two or three years. Hopefully, this legislation will work if given ample opportunity. Democrat LARRY W. KIRCHNER 1. Real estate broker, small business owner, two terms on Terre Haute City Council and much community involvement and service. 2. The New Federalism can

Questions asked candidates for County Council: 1 What education, training and experience do you have which qualify you for this office? 2. The president wants to give state and local governments increased financial responsibility for social programs, e.g. food stamps. Aid to Families with Dependent Children. How will this county meet the cost? 3. What do you foresee as the most serious problem (s) facing the County Council? How would you deal with them’’

COUNTY COUNCIL First District Republican MARTIN A. EVENS 1. Attended Ball State Univer sity with economic courses. Owning and operating a business requiring a budget and being responsible for making and managing within its limits. 2. It will take a different approach by having control of the programs locally, the agency responsible for distributing funds can monitor and detect misuse and fraud more effectively. Substantially reducing waste in these programs will most probably result in enough finances to operate such programs without adding any burden to the operating cost of local government. Reducing the time and number of agencies the funds must pass through before they can be distributed should result in additional reduction in the cost of social programs. 3. The problem is that the Council needs to be more involved in the needs and reasons for the appropriations which they are required to budget money for. As a councilman, I would investigate and inquire as to the validity for each request and inquire as to the need. A great deal of planning and forethought should be given to each and every agency seeking appropriations from the Council. As a Council it should work hard to understand the duties and the required procedures of each agency to appropriate funds correctly. As a councilman, I would strive to accomplish this. Democrat GENECLODFELTER 1. Graduate Russellville High School; graduate Purdue University; Ist Lt. in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps; 12 years experience as a member of the Putnam County Council. 2.1 don’t know how much this will cost or if we will get any help from the federal government. I don’t think the money should come from property tax. If we have to raise taxes, I think the money should come from income taxes. 3. Maintaining roads and

be good or bad depending on the way it is handled by the state. If the legislature can appropriate and legislate block grant and New Federalism funds instead of arbitrary decisions by the executive branch of government we may be able to use the new federalism to our advantage. If not, the federal dollars and services could be used as political favors, and programs for the less fortunate would be reduced to pure politics with only a few as the winners and our citizens as the losers. 3. The state should provide equal educational opportunities. We must train our children with skills that will attract industry. This can be done by restoring the property tax replacement fund, which has been used to maintain the property tax freeze, through state funding of public schools. It must also provide equalization. 4. Our major problems are: Unemployment, mental health facilities, school funding and our state financial condition. Most of these problems would be much easier to solve if our tax structure was more fair and equitable. The state should take a greater responsibility for financing public schools so as to reduce property taxes. We could institute a program of revenue sharing with local government as a part of tax restructuring and a portion of state revenues that are being lost by reductions in state tax rates could also fund these problems. 5. Yes. I feel we need more control along with harsher penalties for non-compliance with these controls.

bridges is a major problem that has to be faced. Now the money for roads comes from gasoline tax and this will have to be increased or monies raised by some other means. Bridge monies can be extended by using wet bridges, pipes and other than federally approved structures. *** COUNTY COUNCIL Second District Republican DOUGLAS K. PHILLIPS 1. I have been involved in the banking profession for 15 years which involves a lot of decisionmaking, financial and otherwise. 2. This question is very hard for me to answer as I have not been directly involved with the county’s financial condition. If I were an incumbent, I could hopefully give a better answer. The only way I can answer the question is to say that if I do serve on the County Council, I will help make the decision the best way that I can see fit under the circumstances prevailing at the time that these social program problems arise. Democrat MAX K. NICHOLS 1. Graduate, Belle Union High School presently serving on the county SCS board. My lifetime farming operation has been valuable experience in handling money and budgeting. 2. If these programs are given back to the state and local governments then we will have to decide the best means to fund them, depending on what means of funding will be made available to us by the state legislature. I think until these plans are finalized it would be unwise to speculate what Putnam County has to do to meet its obligations. 3. I think the most important problem facing the county is making the funds available for our needs such as local roads and bridges. I think making sure that the operating budgets of the county officials do not get out of hand and I’m in favor of the county officials having adequate funding to meet their obligations but not unnecessary expenses.

COUNTY COUNCIL Third District Republican RICHARD HASSLER 1. 25 years business experience. Life-long resident of Putnam County. 2. This is a problem to be addressed when that time comes. 3. I think the present Council has done a fine job. I am a candidate to offer my help to continue to do a fine job. Democrat W.FREDCHAFIN 1. I have had some basic accounting and bookkeeping courses. I was employed by the Monroe County State Bank for 23 years as general bookkeeper. 2. It is my understanding that the state would be responsible for the funding of Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Food Stamps in the trade-off program, with the federal government. The trade off being the federal government picking up Medicaid cost for approximately 336 million in exchange for 275 million in cost for Food Stamps and Aid to Families with Dependent Children. These are projected costs. 3. In my opinion the most serious problem for the Council is meeting the financial needs of the county, yet maintain a balanced budget. I would examine expenditures carefully. There are basically two ways to balance a budget. You either cut cost or increase income. I am not in favor of increasing income by raising taxes, however, there are not many alternatives left. These alternatives need to be explored. *** COUNTY COUNCIL Fourth District Republican RICHARD E. ASBELL 1. One year college and entered U.S. Navy. Attended barber school, moved to Greencastle in 1959. Greencastle

Questions asked candidates for county commissioner : 1. What education, training, and experience do you have which qualify you for this office? 2. How do you propose to protect the residents of Putnam County against projects that potentially are damaging to their environment, health, or safety? 3. The Board of County Commissioners appoints several members of county boards, e g. Hospital Board, Plan Commission. How do you propose to choose the appointees and oversee their performance?

COUNTY COMMISSIONER Second District Republican JOHN H. CARSON 1. Graduate of Greencastle High School in 1957. Attended DePauw University, taking courses in government and social sciences. Served eight years as Putnam County auditor. 2. Laws that cover environment, health or safety are already on the books and are administered through agencies such as the local Board of Health, Stream Pollution Control Board, lOSHA and the Department of the Interior. If elected, I would do my best to involve these agencies in a thorough investigation of any situation that might become a detriment to our community. 3. Board appointments should be reviewed with the other two commissioners and with the members of the boards they serve. Also, I would want to do a careful check as to the qualifications and experience in areas where they might be asked to serve.

Questions asked candidates for assessor and recorder: 1. What education, training and experience do you have which qualify you for this office? 2. What plans do you have for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of this office?

COUNTY ASSESSOR Republican CARL A. TORR 1. Being township assessor has given me a lot of training and experience for the job of county assessor. Also, I have attended several assessing schools. 2. The plans I have for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of this office are to attend the schools that become available for the county assessor, work close with town-

Planning Commission 18 years, on Township Advisory Board. 2. President Reagan’s concept of returning government to the local level is what Indiana needs. The past systems have not returned to Indiana a fair percentage of our tax dollar that is being sent • .to Washington. Bigger and bigger is not always better in government, especially in the social programs where the massive cost of returning the monies and aid to the recipients from the federal level is astronomical, , 3. Putnam County is faced by the same problem the other 91 counties in Indiana are facing -- the rising costs of operation and the lack of money. I think our present County Council has taken some important steps toward controlling the skyrocketing spending costs, and keeping a closer monitoring on spending and budgeting. Democrat HERALD STANGER 1. My farming experience taught me to plan, budget and finance. I attended Purdue Lumberman’s Short Course and sold building supplies for a local business. 2. Before these programs are shifted back to the localities, there are many questions to be answered: (1) What will be the final plans of the federal government? (2) How will the state legislature allow the counties to fund these programs? (3) How much are they going to cost? Until these questions are answered, the Putnam County Council cannot decide how it will fund them. 3. The Putnam County Council’s most serious problem is to be able to fund necessary county services. I want to emphasize necessary services, because I do not feel the taxpayers should automatically fund extravagant claims simply because the officeholders request it. In depressed times, everyone has to cut back, including public officials.

Democrat ELBERT IRWIN Graduate, Greencastle High School, attended DePauw University; Madison Twp. trustee: special training in blacktopping and general care of roads; presently serving as county commissioner. 2. I believe that we must always be aware of projects that might be damaging to the environment, health or safety and use all lawful means to stop them. I think if we are alert to any and all of these projects we can protect ourselves. We have the power as commissioners to pass ordinances against most of them. 3. I follow a program of collecting all the information I can get concerning the persons being considered as to their general character and background, business abilit; also their integrity. On problem is that some who fulfil all the requirements refuse t serve, so you are not alway able to get the ones that you fee are the best.

ship trustees and also with the offices of the courthouse that I will be responsible to. I will treat all taxpayers equal and do the best job I know how for them. Democrat CHARLOTTE J. GOULD 1. As an elected Putnam County recorder for eight years, the experience, education and training with It will be most helpful as countyassessor. Col. 1, page A 7, this section