Candidate profiles: County Commissioner at-large

COUNTY COMMISSIONER AT-LARGE

Jeff Huston (R)

Age: 39

Experience:  “More than 16 years of experience in personnel, budgeting, financial projections and contract negotiations.”

Web site: www.jeffhuston.com

Top priorities if elected:  “Promote local economic development and obtain a thorough understanding of how the new property tax legislation will impact Monroe County to help guide the departments with their budgets. I will support initiatives that pertain to public safety and government efficiency.”

Why running: “I am running because I have experience in budgeting and finance, the primary responsibility of the Monroe County Council. In addition, personnel is one of the largest expenditures in the county budget. I have more than 16 years’ experience with staffing and development. I want to be a voice for Monroe County to ensure that our tax dollars are being spent wisely.”

Julie Thomas (D)

Age: 44

Education: B.S. in Telecommunications & Film from Eastern Michigan University; B.A. in History from Eastern Michigan University; M.A. in History from Eastern Michigan University; M.A. in Russian History from IU-Bloomington; Ph.D. in Russian History and Gender Studies from IU-Bloomington

Experience: “I am the owner of Cartridge World – a green business. Prior to this, I was an instructor in the Gender Studies department at IU. As a committed community activist, I currently work with Middle Way House board of directors (member and past president); member, board of directors of Planned Parenthood for the state of Indiana; Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals; Steering Committee, the Monroe County Democratic Women’s Caucus; Indiana Equality.”

Web site: www.juliethomas.org

Top priorities if elected: “A green economy in Monroe County – support locally owned businesses and agriculture, encourage the development of new, green businesses. Public safety initiatives – enhance crime prevention and victim’s assistance programming, promote practical alternatives to incarceration. Civic engagement – ensure county government is accessible, approachable and responsive to the needs of residents, invite county residents to participate in boards and commissions.”

Why running: “In both my professional life and my service to the community, I have a proven and personal commitment to Monroe County. That commitment includes passionate advocacy for the welfare of Monroe County residents, participation in the local business community and day-to-day efforts to help build a green economy in our county. It also includes civic engagements. I hope to continue my service to the community as a member of the Monroe County Council.”

Joyce Poling (R)

Age: 68

Experience: Four terms as Commissioner; Three and a half years on Council; served on more than 30 boards and commissions

Web site: None.

Top priorities if elected: Work to restore confidence in the county’s finances; work to bring good jobs to Monroe County; to be sure your voice is heard; to enhance the ambience of Monroe County; to ensure that Monroe County continues to improve and enhance the services for which it is responsible – community health and safety, roads and bridges, and protecting the environment.      
 
Why running: “The County Council is the fiscal body of the county. I am running for this office because the community trust in our financial integrity must be restored. My experience in county offices gives me the knowledge needed to get our fiscal health back to order.”

Geoff McKim (D)

Age: 39

Experience: Fifteen years as an information technology professor; consulted all levels of government; program manager for an engineering services company; active in community organizations such as the Monroe County Solid Waste District Citizen’s Advisory Committee, the Frids of the Library and the Lotus World Music Festival

Web site: www.mckimforcouncil.com

Top priorities if elected: “My top priorities are: to support local economic prosperity by ensuring that County economic policies favor locally owned small businesses and businesses that pay living wages and provide health care benefits to employees; to create a county storm water utility to protect citizens from storm water-related property damage and ensure that the costs of development are paid for fairly; to work toward a more sustainable, energy-efficient county infrastructure that is less dependent on automobiles and petroleum-based energy; and to build a local juvenile treatment center so that our youth who get into trouble aren’t shipped off to out-of-county jails.”

Why running: “I’m running because I’m concerned for our future and want to make the community a better place. In the 23 years I have lived here, I have seen many positive changes (the revitalization of downtown Bloomington and the economic diversification of the community) but also not-so-positive (growth in jail population, increasing economic inequality, increasing sprawl and car dependence). I’m running because I want to build on what makes us unique and special as a community – because I believe the Council should use the power of the purse to ensure our citizens have an efficient, responsive and democratic government.”

Warren Henegar (D)

Age: 82 “This is the last chance your readers may have to vote for a genuine WWII combat veteran.”

Experience: Monroe County Council (1971-1976 and 2004-present); Monroe County Commissioner (1977-1984)

Web site: www.warrenhenegarforcouncil.com

Top priorities if elected: “To properly fund the core responsibilities of government: maintaining order, administrating justice and maintaining and improving infrastructure.”

Why running:“To avoid retirement, and because county government had become contentious, and I thought my temperament and experience might help. I have not finished the job. I need four more years.”