Dale Snipes 561W. 150S., Flora Age: 52 Married: Wife, Vicky; 3 grown children; and 2 grandchildren Hobbies: Fishing, photography, growing dahlias

Carroll County residents will have a choice in who should become the next county surveyor in the November general election. Life-long resident and Democrat Dale Snipes decided he has the skills necessary to lead the county into the future, which will include the new Hoosier Heartland Corridor.

Snipes said he is an "analytical and thoughtful individual." He said he has done field surveying for the past 14 years and now works in the Tippecanoe County Surveyor's Office.

"I've gained a lot of experience there," he said. "Tippecanoe County handles very complex issues - they are a lot more commercial there than we are in Carroll County."

Snipes said Carroll County is facing a future of challenges with the advent of the Hoosier Heartland Highway. Although he is not a registered surveyor he said it was not necessary for the county surveyor to be registered. He said it was important for that individual to know a great deal about the work that needs to be accomplished for the betterment of the county.

"There are a lot of challenges with the new highway coming," he explained. "There's going to be drainage issues to be addressed. I feel like I am well-equipped to help the county and I want to see things improve."

Snipes said although he has not attended a drainage board meeting in Carroll County, he has attended meetings in Tippecanoe County when time allowed and he was involved with a project being discussed. He said he expected differences in the way in which meetings were held and the content of them.

Snipes said he understood how the county financial situation has had a negative impact on the surveyor's office budget. He said the uncertain economic climate in the country would make it difficult to predict the future for the surveyor's office, the county and the state.

"They've cut the budget pretty bad," he said, talking about the local financial situation. "That makes it hard to take advantage of the advances in technology which would be available to us. It will take time for improvements to be made."

Snipes said he was familiar with joint drainage boards and how they are managed. He said Carroll and Tippecanoe counties share drains now. He said he understood the nature of two or more counties working together to provide the best service to property owners.

"I love Carroll County," Snipes said in conclusion. "I've been here all my life. I would try to be the fair and honest servant."