By Don Steen ~ Staff Writer • [email protected]
Spencer County residents got a chance to hear from some of the local candidates on the ballot this year Tuesday night, October 22 at the Grandview Civic Center. The event was sponsored by the Grandview Civic Association and Spencer County Farm Bureau, with Phil Leibering fielding questions for the candidates. While the county has relatively few contested races this year, attendees still got a chance to put a face to the name on the ballot, and hear some of their goals for the coming term.
Spencer County Clerk
First to speak was Darrell Stephens, the GOP incumbent for Spencer County Clerk and uncontested for re-election. He began by thanking the employees at the clerk’s office, crediting them with making his first term a success.
“They were a blessing to me when I came into office,” he said. “They deserve all the credit.”
Since the beginning of his term, Stephens has overseen a complete overhaul of the county’s voting equipment. He expects the new equipment will last for at least the next 15 years. Stephens also worked to ensure Spencer County results would be posted at uselectionslive.com so residents can get up-to-date information as ballots are counted.
Going forward, Stephens hopes to expedite the digitization of Courthouse records, many of which date back to 1818. Preserving those records and making them more easily accessible will be a priority over the next four years.
Spencer County Commissioners
Incumbent GOP Commissioner Heather Gries and GOP candidate Mac Webb, running for Districts 2 and 3 respectively, are also uncontested on the ballot. Both were present to state their case for the next four years, however.
Gries noted that Grandview is her original hometown, but currently resides in the north of the county. She emphasized the importance of public safety, particularly giving support to emergency services. Gries also pointed to the recent announcement that Chrisney will be the site of an official fire-training center for the state, that will benefit both local firefighters and departments from across the region.
She also noted that the county has secured millions of dollars in road funding through the state’s Community Crossings program. The commissioners are also currently working on federal grants to resurface Old 231.
Webb, a former special education teacher and currently an educator at Brescia University, emphasized the commissioners’ role in ensuring a future for local communities and schools. He pointed out that school funding is heavily reliant on enrollment, which can only be boosted by drawing in younger families with school-aged children.
When asked what the biggest challenge will be in the coming years, Webb reiterated that the county must address its long-term population decline. Gries concurred, noting the importance of economic development, and particularly housing.
Leibering asked what the commissioners should do if there is a disagreement with the Spencer County Council on funding, as the council ultimately has the final say on spending. Gries said it was important to be open with the council about commissioner decisions, so they can assess those issues before their monthly meetings. Webb agreed, saying that open communication and an openness to feedback and compromise will be critical.
The final question for the commissioner candidates centered on how they viewed their role. Gries said she wanted to ensure she was always available to her constituents. Webb said he would offer a younger perspective, and a willingness to learn from constituents as well as fellow officials.
Spencer County Council (Contested)
The Spencer County Council is one of the few contested races on the ballot, and highest profile within the county itself. Voters will have to vote for three of the four candidates on the ballot. These include GOP incumbents Aaron Benton, David Gogel, and Brian Greulich as well as Democratic challenger John Hurley.
Benton, currently serving as council president, said one of his priorities in recent years has been to invest in emergency services. By helping those departments raise salaries to attract talent and upgrade equipment wherever possible, he hopes to ensure the county can respond to emergencies promptly and effectively.
Gogel, now in his eighth year on the council, has the distinction of having been born in the county (at home, as the county lacks a hospital). His priority during his tenure has been sound money management, working to keep the county’s budget in the black.
Greulich was raised in St. Meinrad and is retired from Waupaca. He joined the council in 2020, and said his goal has been to learn from others and maintain open communication with constituents.
Hurley, an educator at South Spencer High School, aims to improve public accessibility to the Spencer County Council and the issues that come before it. He cited recent tax increases that caught some residents unaware, and emphasized the need to attract new residents and businesses to lessen the tax load, as well as support those already here.
The first question for the council candidates was, “what is the biggest issue facing the county?”
Benton said a big financial burden for the county is the care of inmates. He said the council is working with the sheriff’s department to speed court proceedings so the inmate population does not grow more than necessary. Benton also noted the council is working with American Electric Power to maintain a productive operation beyond the planned closure of the coal-fired power plant in 2028 to mitigate the long-term impact such a closure would have on property taxes.
Gogel said housing and population were a major concern, but added cause for optimism. He pointed out there are many homes under construction in the county, and that the county actually gained population in 2023.
“We may have turned the corner,” said Gogel. “People want to live here.”
Greulich followed up on the point of housing, citing major housing projects funded in part through READI grants. He also pointed to the importance of economic development, and pursuing opportunities for future READI funding in the county.
Hurley cited population growth as a major concern. He said that while some areas like Santa Claus are gaining population, other parts of the county see declines. Hurley also noted that some people moving to the county are retirees, without school-age children that will be enrolled in schools.
Hurley also hopes to see more physical med centers in the county to offset the lack of a hospital. He would also like to push back council meetings to later in the evening, when more people can get off work and attend.
The second question put to the council candidates centered on economic development and how much the council would spend to that effect.
Benton said it was important to work within the council’s means. He cited the recent approval of a $140,000 contract with RJL Solutions to attract new developments to the county, secure more READI projects, and other economic planning.
Beyond that, Benton said the council is always willing to work with local communities and will assist if the project is deemed viable. He pointed out that the council was willing to allocate the county’s American Rescue Plan funds towards upgrading wastewater systems in rural communities.
Gogel cited the council’s willingness to support a $35 million grant-funded broadband project with Perry-Spencer Communications. This required a local match requirement of $5 million. Gogel noted that while that investment was significant, it was paid for in cash because the council had shepherded its resources wisely in the preceding years.
Greulich concurred, saying that the council is always open to supporting a project. The question will be if the return on investment for the county as a whole makes sense.
“If it’s a good plan we usually help,” said Greulich.
Hurley agreed that the council should consider return on investment when weighing economic development opportunities, and stated that tax revenues should be put to productive use when possible. However, he expressed concern about awarding such funding too quickly and without public review. For example, he noted that the contract with RJL Solutions came about very quickly, and commended Benton for pushing the matter back a month to allow more time to discuss the matter.
Read more on this story in this week’s issue of the Spencer County Leader!
Featured Image: District 74 IN State Rep. incumbent candidate Stephen Bartels speaks at the SC Meet the Candidates forum at the Grandview Civic Center
(Top Left): District 74 IN State Rep. candidates Stephen Bartels (R) and Bob Compton (D) shake hands at the Meet the Candidates Forum
Other candidates who spoke at the forum were (clockwise from top center): Aaron Benton (R) for County Council, Bob Compton (D) for District 74 IN State Rep., Brian Greulich (R) for County Council, Mac Webb (R) for Commissioner District 3 and Heather Gries (R) for Commissioner District 2, Darrell Stephens (R) for Clerk, David Gogel (R) for County Council, Janet Stoermer for SS School Corp. Luce Township School Board seat, John Hurley (D) for County Council, Kensie Coultas (R) for Recorder, Laura Blake for SS School Corp. Ohio Township School Board seat, and Tyler Daming (R) for County Surveyor
