County election heats up

In the midst of the highly contested campaigns for November's presidential election, Monroe County voters are being subjected to a similar campaign locally. The race for Monroe County Commissioner brings 33-year-old Democratic rookie Mike Englert into the political picture, vying to unseat Republican incumbent Joyce Poling.\nAs a first-time campaigner, Englert faces an uphill battle against the District 2 Commissioner, Poling, who has held the seat for 12 years.\nComparatively, Englert said funds for his campaign are not as accessible as Poling's. He said Poling and her campaign are already established and receive funding from major businesses, corporations and long-time donors.\n"Regardless of what I can offer, people know Joyce's name," Englert said. "I've got to put myself out there."\nAn entire two-thirds of his campaign funding comes from small, individual donors, Englert said. \nEnglert described the county commissioner's duties as part of the executive body, having general oversight on county issues.\nAs an incumbent, Poling identified some of her goals, including job creation, emphasis on local hospitals and schools, and working with juvenile correction facilities and overcrowding in the Monroe County Jail. But Englert said Poling's position as a realtor influences her decisions to support new developers aiming to build on Monroe County farm land. He reiterated that while the job description for commissioner says it is part-time, in reality it's really a full-time position.\nPoling said her role as commissioner has been a major concern for the last four years. \n"I hope that in this country, anyone who feels they can fulfill a political position can run," Poling said. \nEnglert said the main reason for concern is not only a restless battle for land protection, but a general concern for sewage pollution. The farther away a developer builds from city limits, the farther away residents are from sewage lines. With no access to city sewers, there is an increase in septic systems, Englert said. He also said the septic increase acts as a pollutant for residents living on that land. \n"It's difficult to suddenly build where there are no schools, no fire department, no means for protection or public transportation," Englert said. \nThese are some of the founding ideas for Englert's campaign.\nIn response, Poling pointed to facilities she has worked to re-use rather than build. According to an April press release, Poling took part in promoting the re-use of the city's Thomas Consumer Electronics factory to develop a new biopharmaceutical plant last spring.\n"Thomson was a large T.V. factory," Poling said. "When it went under, those jobs were lost."\nPoling added that the new biopharmaceutical plant will create inspiring, high-paying research jobs that will support the community. She said the southwest location is close enough for employees to walk to.\nLee Carmichael of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation worked briefly with Poling in the development. Carmichael said he appreciates Poling's role as both Monroe County Commissioner and part of the BEDC Executive Committee.\n"Joyce is devoted to all of her causes," Carmichael said. \nHe recognized Poling as a vital component to economic development in Monroe County.\nPoling additionally mentioned companies like PTS Electronics, which got its start in Monroe County. Poling said she hopes to encourage other local companies to expand to this degree of success. \nCounty Councilman Mark Stoops said he is confident Englert will also expand opportunities for small, local businesses, even if they haven't reached headquarter status. \nLike Poling, Stoops pointed to the loss of local jobs while drawing attention to poor national trade agreements. \n"Mike's organized, to the point. He's got sustainable knowledge about social programs this county could really use," Stoops said. \nThere are four commissioner candidates this year. While Englert and Poling are running in District 2, District 3 candidates include Democratic incumbent Iris Kiesling and Republican candidate Jeff Ellington. One candidate will be elected for each district. Aside from their own election, both Kiesling and Ellington offered insight into Englert and Poling's candidacy.\n"What people must remember about Joyce is that being a realtor doesn't necessarily make her pro-development," Kiesling said. \nOn Englert's behalf, Kiesling acknowledged what she called a strong message and a good case for winning the election. \nEllington, a long-time acquaintance of Poling, said Poling is one reason he's running for District 3 Commissioner this year. While Poling was indecisive about running for commissioner in 2000, Ellington said he felt his support encouraged her to campaign for re-election. \nPoling, from southern Indiana, is an IU alumna with a degree in education and arts and sciences. \nEnglert, originally from Pittsburgh is also a former IU student. As a geology major in 1994, he became involved in the campaign for then-congressman candidate Jim Jontz. There, he met Bloomington's current city clerk, Regina Moore. \n"He's a gentle environmentalist, non-threatening but firm," Moore said. "Mike has wanted to serve the public for a very long time." Moore reminded voters of Poling's loss in last year's city elections. \nBoth Englert and Poling expressed the need to educate this year's voters about voting policies and privileges. Both said those who voted in last year's city elections can still vote for county candidates. Students are also reminded that it is possible at any time to change a permanent voting address. \nKiesling acknowledged name recognition will be a problem for Englert's campaign.\nEnglert said he's currently meeting everyone possible including Bloomington's Council of Neighborhood Associations. According to Englert's press releases, he strongly encourages a local government where people are free to give input and have their voices heard. \nWith her case of Red Bull, Poling said she's ready to go this year. But people like Stoops warn Monroe County and the nation of a strong Democratic year. \nEnglert brought the election to a national level by encouraging everyone to vote this Nov. 2. He reminded voters though this year's national vote is imperative, the opportunity for change lies in community government.\n"You've got to vote local," Englert said. "Change starts from the bottom and works its way up."\n-- Contact staff writer Amber Kerezman at akerezma@indiana.edu.