Candidates for State Offices See Few Questions at Debate

The League of Women Voters held their annual Candidates Night on Tuesday, October 23 and 22 candidates filled the stage at River Valley High School. Even though the candidates included those for State Senate and Representatives, the vast majority of questions went to more local races.

Those in attendance included:

• State Senate candidates Tanyce Addison (Democrat) and Dave Burke (Republican)
• State Representative candidates for 86th District Cheryl Johncox (Democrat) and Dorothy Pelanda (Republican)
• State Representative candidates for 87th District Jeffrey Lehart (Democrat) and Jeff McClain (Republican)

As with all of those appearing at the debate, the state candidates had a chance to introduce themselves and/or their campaign.

Taynce Addison, who worked as a teacher for 30 years, said she is a strong voice for the working class. She stated that residents deserve a representative that listens unlike the representatives that she said locked out the firefighters and police officers during demonstrations against Senate Bill 5.

Dave Burke explained how he started and continues to run a pharmacy in Marysville. He said his experience at the statehouse included a balancing the State budget without raising taxes and said income taxes are actually lower. He also said he sponsored the pill mill bill, which went after easily acquired prescription drugs, and sponsored a bill outlawing bath salts and spice.

Cheryl Johncox said she has spent seven years working to interpret legislation regarding the environment. She said the state budget has hurt area municipalities by severely reducing the amount of local government funding.

Dorothy Polenda worked 30 years as a lawyer and said that it had been an exciting year at the statehouse. She said her focus will continue to be jobs and job creation.

Jeffrey Lehart said in addition to a career in manufacturing, he also serves as president of Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County. He said he has faced adversity and job loss and even needed help from the government, but he pulled himself up. He stated that he is uniquely qualified to understand the issues.

Jeff McClain has been a representative for the last four years, but said being a grandfather is his favorite job. He stated that as a representative he has done what he said he would do, including controlling government spending. He said he’s also been accessible and straight with residents. McClain also said he has helped the area by being appointed to the finance committee.

During the rest of the evening, only a few questions were posed to the state candidates, including one to the Senate candidates asking how they would improve funding for education.

Addison said she strongly believes that everyone deserves the same, quality education. She said the cuts made by the state to balance their budget came on the backs of local governments. She stated that $800 million was given to charter schools and alleged that they do not have the same transparency or accountability as public schools.

Burke said the State has already improved funding to local schools. He said the cuts described by Addison were not because of a state decision, but from a loss of one-time federal stimulus funding.

The candidates for State Representative were asked what can be done to assist local governments. Lehart said one thing you have to do is raise revenue. He proposed increasing taxes on gas companies and said that revenue could help return local government funding.

McClain said the state has created a local government innovation fund in the form of one-time grants and loans, but he said that fund has not been taken advantage of. He questioned why local governments would not help themselves by applying for the funds.

Johncox said the state needs to re-instate local government funding. She said she is a firm believer in the idea that the closer government is to the people, the better they hear you.

Polanda agreed with McClain saying she has struggled to get local governments to apply for the innovation funds. She said she has worked diligently to find ways for local governments to work more efficiently and provide for shared services.

The General Election is November 6, 2012. You can vote early by absentee ballot or by going to the Marion County Board of Elections. You can find more information by visiting www.marionelections.com.