Candidate profiles: County Commissioner District 3

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3

Pat Jeffries (R)

Age: 63

Education: Indiana Business College graduate

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: “I plan to work to maintain our current high quality of life through encouraging economic development that will provide good jobs for our youth and future generations. And I will support providing new services and opportunities for seniors as the Boomer generation enters retirement. As the effects of Indiana House Bill 1001 on the county budget are determined, I will press to ensure essential road and highway maintenance, law enforcement and emergency preparedness stay at the current optimal standards and that we do not add any further tax burden to our families and middle class wage earners. We also need to review reports from project management hired by the current commissioners and scheduled to be presented soon about implementation plans for the justice center. I will want to assess our county’s financial position and listen to a cross segment of citizens, professionals and organizations such as the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council before any final determination can be made. Building a juvenile treatment center should be the first priority. It holds the promise of healing and rehabilitation of our youth that could provide the positive factor of reducing the escalating jail population. Crime prevention is much more economically sound than building a new jail.”      
 
Why running: “I am providing a qualified choice for the office of county commissioner – a choice that is vital to the success of our free system of voting to choose our government leaders. The current incumbent has served well for 12 years and is seeking four more years. I believe that I will bring to this position the aspects of my county government knowledge and a fresh perspective and new responsible proposals for the fiscal and government reform challenges our county is facing in the coming years.”

Iris Kiesling (D)

Age: 71

Education:  A.D. from Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, N.J. and Boston; also attended Harvard University, Indiana University and Syracuse University.

Experience: Monroe County Commissioner president in 1999, 2000, 2007, currently vice president; Bloomington City Council president in 1990 and 1995; League of Women Voters of Bloomington/Monroe County president; South Central Community Action Program treasurer;  MCCSC Hoosier Hills Career Center; Community Correction Advisory Board; Monroe County Solid Waste Management District; Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce; Citizens for Community Justice; Children’s advocate; 42-year resident of Monroe County; administrative assistant at Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, Mass. before coming to Bloomington

Web site: www.iriskiesling.com

Top priorities if elected: “My overall goal is to achieve a healthier, safer and even more family-friendly community, while employing sound environmental principles in order to ensure a vibrant economy for generations to come.” Priorities include: building a juvenile justice center where children and families can receive a continuum of care; maintaining county infrastructure, including roads and bridges; encouraging job creation through entrepreneurship and local business growth while preparing citizens for the changing job market through education and training; addressing Monroe County government’s critical space needs.

Why running: “Monroe County is a unique community, especially with Indiana University, which enhances the quality of life. I would like to continue to try to protect this quality of life and attract businesses and employees who can be enriched with the local beauty and opportunities we have to offer. It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Monroe County. It is the people of this community that make this service worthwhile. I would be pleased and honored to have the privilege to continue to serve this community as one of its county commissioners.”