Wells runs for office

Democrat Scott Wells has decided to make a run at a second 4-year at-large term with the Monroe County Council.\nThe pro-environment councilman was at the forefront of several key changes in Bloomington during his first term, including changing the Monroe County zoning ordinance to help prevent illegal tree-cutting in the Lake Monroe watershed and assisting in implementing reductions in housing density to the ordinances of Lake Monroe & Griffy watersheds, but he said much still needs to be done in the city. \n"There are too many battles still worth fighting for and too many policy decisions that I started but have not completed," Wells said in a statement. \nWells' named jail overcrowding as the number one problem facing the county council and proposed that substance abusers and repeat drug offenders be removed and put in the Community Correction Center or a new juvenile treatment center to remedy the problem. Solid waste management, affordable housing, business tax abatements, increases in county employee benefits and Lake Monroe protection are some of the issues Wells hopes to tackle if elected to a second term.\nOn Sept. 27, 2002, Wells was pulled over by state police officers on the corner of Sixth and Dunn Streets. The report said he was suspected of drunken driving, but Wells said arresting officer Stacy Brown told him it was only for a seat belt violation. The situation then escalated, resulting in Wells' arrest on multiple charges.\nA jury found Wells guilty of operating while intoxicated and disorderly conduct, but acquitted him of misdemeanor battery and resisting law enforcement Nov. 13 of last year.\nJeff Ellington, vice president of the council, said Wells' past criminal charges could be a factor in the minds of voters. \n"When you have a very large name ID, it can help and hurt," Ellington said. "I'd put him in the same league as Martha Stewart. If she would have fessed up about what happened, things could have not been as bad." \nFellow at-large councilman Doug Duncan, who will also run for re-election, said having a member as passionate as Wells is instrumental in implementing city and county-wide change.\n"Scott is very driven on a few issues, and that's what we need when dealing with public issues," he said.\nIn addition to his environmental accomplishments on the council, Wells assisted the Hoosier Environmental Council in supporting environmental responsibility and sustainability.\nDeclaring he is essentially "not a politician," Wells said simply being passionately pro-active and following through on his word was more effective than any political expertise throughout his tenure thus far.\n"Looking at it as a whole, what will make or break Scott will be his outspokenness, especially concerning his environmental issues," Ellington said. \n-- Contact staff writer Jon Shoulders at jshoulde@indiana.edu.