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Fuhrman, Huffman face off in County Council debate
High prices for gas, equipment and building materials are currently a challenge for people, businesses and governments around the country.
In Indiana, such issues fall squarely on the shoulders of the county council, as each county’s fiscal body.
With this as the backdrop, three-term incumbent Councilman Dave Fuhrman faced off Thursday with Wayne Huffman, who is challenging him for the District 1 seat on the Putnam County Council.
The two debated as part of the candidate forum co-sponsored by the Greencastle League of Women Voters, WGRE and the Banner Graphic.
Fuhrman set the stage with his opening remarks.
“Right now, the budget is our big problem,” he said. “No one could have foreseen in August what was coming at us.”
Asked for one or two most pressing needs for the county, Fuhrman addressed accessibility and safety.
He said solutions have to be found for bringing broadband to all parts of the county, not just certain portions.
Secondly, he said there is an ongoing need to provide emergency medical services to the community. The county is a little more than two years into providing EMS services, as opposed to the old system of a non-profit provider, and the budget for Putnam County EMS is still a learning process.
Fuhrman added that the county needs a way to address the coming energy crisis by encouraging dual use of agricultural land for renewable energy sources.
Huffman agreed regarding the ongoing need for EMS as well as infrastructure.
“I think these are the big needs of Putnam County,” Huffman said, “and where we need to grow.”
Asked about ways to encourage growth and broaden the tax base, the men had slightly different approaches.
Fuhrman cited not only cooperation between the Council and Putnam County Commissioners, but also with the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center and Greencastle Mayor Bill Dory as vital in attracting and retaining businesses.
“We’re doing a good job,” Fuhrman said. “We have a great team. We work well together.”
He noted this is paying dividends in some matters that remain confidential, but also announced POET Biorefining’s plan to reopen its Cloverdale facility with the planned employment of 50 people.
Huffman said the biggest challenge he sees to economic growth is the semi traffic in downtown Greencastle around Courthouse Square.
He expressed his desire to see a bypass constructed to help downtown businesses flourish.
In a question that really gets to the heart of what a County Council member faces, the candidates were asked if they would support a tax increase in order to support infrastructure improvements – a need both had referenced.
“Yes, I would,” Huffman said, “if I could communicate to our taxpayers that it was going to be spent appropriately.”
Fuhrman took a moment to consider, noting that it was a matter of theory vs. practice.
“Philosophically, as a Republican, taxes are a dirty word,” Fuhrman said. “But in practice, taxes are how you get things done. I would have to look at it.”
Fuhrman and Huffman are seeking the Republican nomination for Council District 1, which includes Russell, Franklin, Jackson, Floyd and Monroe townships. Only registered voters from these townships calling for Republican ballots in the May 3 primary will have the opportunity to vote in this race.
Currently, there is no Democrat nor any other candidate seeking the office. This could change prior to the November general election.
A story regarding the debate between sheriff candidates Jerrod Baugh, Steve Hibler and Dwight Simmons is published separately.
Additionally, the complete audio of both debates as well as remarks from candidates for county clerk, recorder and surveyor are available at https://tinyurl.com/bd97sbf3 or on the front page of wgre.org.