Local candidates focus on economy

The five candidates for Monroe County's at-large Common Council seats debated county finances and taxation for nearly two hours Tuesday at the Monroe County Public Library, focusing on rights of property owners and the role of city planners. \nSeven seats exist on the council, but only three are open for new members this year, with the next four positions opening in two years.\nMaster's student Erin Holliden, the Monroe County libertarian chair, started the panel by asking, "What is the reason for government to exist?" \nFollowing questions included more detailed topics such as planning versus individual rights, economic growth, the purpose of the Bloomington Economic Development Commission (BEDC), developer impact fees and the city stormwater tax and political sign ordinances.\nDemocratic candidate Scott Wells, an environmental consultant and teacher, spoke of what he called a "fiscal fiasco, created by the Republicans" and stressed "smart growth." \n"I'm not a politician," Wells said. "If I was, I wouldn't have said half the things I did. But it's time to change, and I'm not going away, I'm going to keep coming back."\nKelley School of Business employee Julio Alonso, Democratic candidate and executive director of Monroe County's Community Kitchen, entered the council in January and is up for re-election this November. While addressing the other Republican candidates in his closing remarks, Alonso challenged them to decipher what county programs are the government's responsibility.\n"Say what we don't need, say what you're not going to cut, and then say with a straight face that we don't have a fiscal problem in this county," Alonso said.\nDeciding to involve himself in the campaign just three weeks ago, Republican candidate Doug Duncan, who works out of his home managing investments, said he hasn't been as active in the council as he would like to be.\n"The optimist sees the glass half-full, and the pessimist sees it as half-empty," Duncan said. "The engineer looks at it and says the glass is too big...that's my approach."\nA better government boils down to two things: leadership and direction, Duncan said. Praising the other Republican candidates Randy May and Jeff Ellington as exceptional leaders, Duncan admitted he would probably vote for Randy over himself but still feels he has a lot to offer to the position as well.\nMay, part of May Brothers Construction and a framer, was appointed six weeks ago to the council and said he wants to be a voice for the people who don't have a voice. He stressed limiting the county's government growth, which May said has increased by 52.6 percent, while the population growth has only risen by 7.3 percent in the past decade.\n"I got involved because I want my voice to be heard," May said. "I want to do whatever I can do to see jobs come to the county, and I don't want the government to watch over us all the time. We should be able to make our own decisions." \nEllington, the final Republican candidate and a local firefighter, also campaigns for re-election as he has already served for four years on the council. Police and fire protection exist as major issues to Ellington because he said some townships in Monroe County do not have contracts. He also stressed the importance of the $5,000 membership to the BEDC, which tries to flag businesses to come to the community.\n"I believe (BEDC) is a real asset to the community," Ellington said. "Businesses want to talk to BEDC, not go straight to the politicians. We need to have some sort of arm to reach out and capture these jobs."\nDemocrat candidate Charles Wilson works as a sheriff's deputy and, Alonso said, was unable to attend the forum because of his work schedule.