Rainy weather not conducive
'Meet the Candidate' focused on economic issues
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

"Meet the Candidate," sponsored by the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce, attracted approximately 100 attendees, 25 of them candidates for public offices, on Monday, October 18, at the South Ripley Elementary School Cafeteria.

During the two-hour discussion, candidates for State Representative, Ripley County Commissioners, Ripley County Council, Recorder, Clerk, Treasurer, South Ripley School Board, and Sunman-Dearborn School Board gave opening and closing statements and answered prepared questions.

Chamber representatives Gene Feith, Marianne Wiggers, and David Baugh presided as moderators and timekeeper. Each candidate was introduced with brief biographies and given the opportunity to make one-minute opening and closing statements.

Those candidates participating in this year's "Meet the Candidate" included: State Representative: Cleo Duncan, Chris Holland, Robert Bischoff, Markt Lytle, and Billy Bright.

For Ripley County Commissioner: Chuck Folz, Tim Howder, Lawrence Nickell, and Charlie Cook; for Ripley County Council: Harland Delap, Ray Raney, and Donald Dunbar.County Recorder: Tammy Borgman and Nancy Adams; County Clerk: Ginger Bradford; County Treasurer: Earline Copeland.

For South Ripley School Board: Dan Goris, Barry Lauber, Randy McIntosh, Chris Bradford, Ron Evans, and Vincent Horton.
For Sunman-Dearborn School Board: Kathy Martini, Jeff Minges, and Gregory Ritzi.

Questions prepared for the candidates and those submitted by members of the audience centered on the state's and county's financial crises, property tax, economic development, health care plans, tourism, balancing the county budget, and job qualifications.

School board candidates were asked why they were running, what qualified them for the job, what were the most important issues facing school boards, how they felt about dress codes, and what they would do to improve current school systems.

Several discussed the need for a middle school, and one candidate even mentioned consolidation.

Most county candidates agreed economic development is important for the future of the county and that the county offices must make every effort to control spending.

State representatives expressed the desire that health care and prescriptions can be more affordable for all Hoosiers, that riverboat gaming revenue should to be retained locally, and that property taxes need to be reduced.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

For "Meet the Candidate" at the South Ripley Elementary School on Monday, October 18, approximately 100 are in attendance, including 25 candidates for state representative, county council, county commissioner, county offices, and school boards. Ripley County Chamber members Gene Feith, Marianne Wiggers, and David Baugh presided at the chamber-sponsored event.