District 2 commissioners' seat to be challenged in May primary
By Debbie Lowe, Staff writer

Mears

There have been many primary elections in Carroll County when the only candidates to choose from were those on the national level. However, this year is different. There are two Republicans vying for the District 2 commissioners' seat.

Incumbent George Mears is being challenged in the primary election by Delphi businessman Pat Clawson. Both candidates agreed to sit down with the Comet and explain why they believe they are the best candidate to lead the county out of its financial crisis.

Mears looks to the future for answers

George Mears said the county must focus on economic development for its salvation.

 

"We haven't created an economic engine to fill those voids in the county," he said. "We've got to make something happen."

Mears said he has been a Carroll County Economic Development Corporation board member for the past three years and said he "sat in" on the meetings for the first year he was in office, which was 2004. He described some projects as "painfully slow" to mature to be able to produce the needed results for the county. Mears said EDC demonstrates accountability with taxpayers by what has been accomplished in the county since that time.

Clawson

When asked why he should be elected for a second term given the history of his first term, Mears said it was important for him to continue the positives that have been put in motion during the last four years.

"We've got to look towards the future to make something happen," he said.

Mears explained he "had influence on making the Hoosier Heartland Highway adapt to suit the county's needs" as one of his accomplishments while in office.

Mears said he considered himself more of a visionary, which he said was the role best suited for a commissioner. He said a commissioner should be looking and planning for the future wellbeing of the county. He resisted questions about the current fiscal situation in the county saying he firmly believed the way out of overspending was to cut services and increase income.

"The not balancing between the auditor and the treasurer is not the real issue," he said.

He said he was in favor of enacting a mandate or public policy in which the council would only appropriate the amount of income received two years prior to the current budget year, thereby ensuring a definite amount of money to spend.

When asked about commissioners' open door law violations, Mears refused to answer. He said every county leader had responsibility for the financial situation. He said more questions needed to be asked about county finances, but not necessarily in open meetings.

"Behind the scenes, above the scenes, whatever it takes," he said.

Mears said it took years for the county to reach the point of needing to borrow from a bank to pay bills. He said it would take a long time to recover from the situation.

"The gears of progress work painfully slow," he reiterated.

Noting other accomplishments, Mears said during his tenure commissioners initiated evening meetings every other month to allow residents who work during the day to attend and be able to weigh in on issues. He further stated the reason the county council was able to borrow from the cumulative bridge account was because the current commissioners were very frugal with money for bridge projects.

Noting a near-accomplishment, Mears said commissioners attempted to secure an "earmark" to build a county road extension from SR75 to the new highway. He called the effort an "educated risk" to hire the Troyer Group to provide a study for the project.

"We attempted to get an earmark, but were not successful in that," he said. "But if we aren't willing to invest in the future, who will?"

Mears said not everyone is suited to be commissioner. He cited low pay, long hours and no health benefits as things that would not encourage some to run for the job.

"We need some qualified people to step up for those offices," he said. "Who would want this position?"

"It's a thankless job, but a very important one," he added.

Mears said he thought the county would recover from the current fiscal dilemma to realize a bright future.

"We'll get through this, we're kind of a tough bunch," he concluded. "We just gotta look to the future."

Clawson vows to bring county government under control

Pat Clawson is convinced it is time for commissioners to stop ignoring the daily problems in county government. He believes commissioners must not allow the county to go unattended or unsupervised in the name of looking to the future.

 

Clawson said that he would make a better commissioner than the incumbent because he is in touch with the community. He cited as an example poor road conditions. He said Mears lacks action when it comes to overseeing the daily activities of department heads and the work they are or are not doing. Clawson said there should be standard job descriptions in all departments and commissioners should adhere to the rules they adopt, such as the nepotism policy. Clawson said it is essential that the treasurer and auditor's books balance according to state statute. He added he would halt violations of the law. "We've got to get that fixed," he said. "I would expect a complete written financial status report every month, submitted prior to the meetings. Commissioners have to followup with department heads to make sure they do what they are supposed to be doing."

"I don't think anyone is inept," he continued. "This isn't rocket science. If they are entrusted with public funds and they are getting paid for the job, they need to do their jobs or get someone in there who can do the job."

"I don't claim to know all the answers - but I will work extremely hard to come to the best answer," he added.

Clawson said he would like to see offices in the courthouse and employees managed differently. He said standard job descriptions for all employees should be used. He added commissioners must have accountability with department heads and they in turn should expect to be accountable to the commissioners.

Clawson said he was dedicated enough to overcoming where the county is right now that he is willing to do what it takes to help the county out of the current financial problems - even if it meant getting no money to be commissioner.

"I'd do it for nothing," he said. "I am committed to making the county financially sound again."

Clawson said he is not opposed to raising taxes but wants them "to be used wisely." He said income taxes should be raised to create a new income stream for county general.

He explained commissioners are an integral part of the solution to the problem the county is experiencing.

"The commissioners have to work with everyone in the community - including the council," he said. "It's not the same world now. We have to come up with some different answers. We need to consult with other counties to see how they have solved these problems and then adapt those solutions to our situation."

Clawson said he was concerned that the county may have spent a great deal of money in flood debris removal that will not be reimbursed by FEMA. Private property owners would have been reimbursed for the cost of dumpsters and removal.

"We have to be informed and think about what we are doing before we act," he said.

Clawson said the comprehensive land use plan currently under development is essential to county growth and development. However, he said the commissioners should be following the process and ensuring the contract and obligations are satisfied for both parties.

"We as commissioners need to direct where this county is going," he said.

Clawson said all residents should be given the opportunity to attend all meetings. He is in favor of transparent government.

"There should be no secrets," he stated. "There should be fiscal accountability. There should be a report of what the commissioners do."

"That board is a county board," he added.

Clawson said Carroll Manor must be more self-sustaining for the county to continue to own it and it should house indigent residents.

"If it can't sustain itself, it needs to go," he said.

He said that, given the current financial state of the county, if there was a buyer for Deer Creek Park, it should be sold.

He said commissioners should have a roadmap of the future because they have to know where they are going and commissioners must make Carroll County an attractive place in which to live.

"This is the chance for every voter to vote for the best qualified candidate and make a difference in their county government," he said. "I hope there are changes made. I want to get on the road to recovery."

"If we have to raise taxes - let's do it and get on with it," he concluded. "The government is changing. We're going to have to be on the cutting edge or get left behind."