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Forum offers a preview of Election Night
Even with no contested county races on the ballot for Tuesday's general election, voters had the chance to hear from three local candidates as well as a challenger for U.S. representative at the Candidates' Forum on Wednesday, presented by WGRE in conjunction with the Greencastle League of Women Voters and the Banner Graphic.
With no political opponents meeting at the event, it functioned as a forum rather than the debate it has been in years past. Each of the four men took a few minutes to introduce himself before taking questions from Jordan Roller of WGRE News, who functioned as moderator for the night, as well as questions from the audience.
John Dale, a Democrat seeking the Indiana's 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, led off the evening by introducing himself to local voters. A farmer from West Point in Tippecanoe County, Dale is a veteran teacher and coach at Western Boone High School.
Dale said he was severely taken aback by the government shutdown in late 2013 and what it cost American taxpayers. The event brought about a change of heart for a man with no prior political aspirations.
"I said, instead of complaining, I'll run,' Dale said.
Dale presented himself as Democrat with a willingness to follow his conscience, not his party.
"Both sides have good ideas and bad ideas, but if they won't communicate, nothing's going to get done," Dale said. "I'm running as a Democrat, but I'm willing to vote against my party if our district's at stake, if our state's at stake, if our country's at stake."
For example, Dale pointed out that he is a member of the conservative National Rifle Association, but that he does not agree with every stance the powerful lobby group takes.
Dale closed his statement by pointing to the need for change in Congress, a group that routinely receives low approval ratings from the public.
"The definition of insanity is voting the same people in again and again and expecting different results," Dale said.
Dale is challenging incumbent Todd Rokita, who was not in attendance on Wednesday.
While not all local candidates were represented, a pair of political newcomers and a veteran of his office put some of their ideas before the voters.
The first of the newcomers to speak was Rick Woodall, the lone candidate for the District 2 Putnam County Commissioner seat. Much like Dale, Woodall said the desire to run for office just came to him one day.
"I was sitting at my desk one day, looking over the race, and I said, 'today's the day,'" Woodall said. "I put my hat in to see if I could help the county."
Woodall said he has served on a number of committees as well as being involved with youth through organizations such as 4-H, but this is his first truly political venture.
Already well aware that roads are the number one reason Putnam County residents call their commissioners, Woodall says he plans to be an advocate for maintaining and fixing roads.
"I'm not a fan of hearing the words, 'We don't have the money,' There's money there; it's just a matter of using it wisely," Woodall said.
He added that he would like to see some changes in exactly how commissioners meetings are run, as well as increased accountability from certain offices and departments. Woodall expressed his intent to be a hands-on commissioner.
"When the first snow hits in January, I'll be in a plow truck," Woodall said. "I'm a licensed snowplow operator."
Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter is no newcomer to his office, as he is completing his 10th year in office. He spoke about the changes he's seen in prosecuting crimes, particularly drug crimes, during that decade.
"Drugs constantly change," Bookwalter said, explaining that methamphetamine used to be manufactured in large quantities, but is now done in small batches, possibly under the seat of a car.
The exact drugs being used have also changed, with Bookwalter saying heroin has recently popped up in the area.
"What I do is prosecute crimes, but that's just treating the effects," Bookwalter said.
As such, he has tried to take preventive steps with the youth of the community. One of these has been the partnership of the Prosecutor's Office and Putnam Circuit Court with retired school counselor Carol Emory, who brings every fifth-grade class in the county into juvenile court for an introduction to the justice system.
Bookwalter also lamented the loss of mental health facilities in the state, which means those who were once treated for their illnesses are simply being cycled and recycled through the jail and prison system. He said truly helping these people will take a commitment that lawmakers don't seem willing to make.
"Our county jail has become our mental health facility," Bookwalter said. "I look them (criminals) in the eyes. They're mentally ill. Nobody in Congress, nobody in either party wants to deal with the funding it's going to take."
A veteran of the other part of the justice system, Scott Stockton is unopposed in his bid for Putnam County Sheriff. The Putnam County native has served as an Indiana State Trooper for 27 years.
Well aware of the problems that have plagued the two previous sheriffs' administrations, Stockton said he has three goals upon taking office: 1) ensuring that the books are balanced and in good order, 2) establishing a citizen's complaint procedure for the department and its employees and 3) revisiting the hiring procedures in the department.
As a department outsider, Stockton said he believes he can fairly assess each of these areas.
Most of all, Stockton said he wants to ensure that the public is confident in the officers who are serving them.
"The most important crime at the time is the one you're reporting," Stockton said.
Interested voters who were unable to attend the forum on Wednesday may view it when it re-airs nightly through Election Day at 7:30 p.m. on Greencastle Cable Channel 3.