Candidates for county office debate

The Greencastle League of Women Voters and WGRE-FM presented a Candidates' Forum Tuesday evening at the Watson Forum in the Pulliam Center of Contemporary Media on the DePauw University Campus.

The seven-part forum allowed Superior Court Judge Candidates Denny Bridges (R) and Kraig Kinney (D) to present their views to audience members. County commissioner candidates for District one and three were also on the agenda as well as five of the six county council at large candidates.

County Coroner Thomas Miller who is running unopposed had an opportunity to present his ideas as did Putnam County Treasurer candidates Sharon Owens (R) and Amanda Wells Mullenix (D).

County Commissioner, District one candidates are Gene Beck (R) and Gene Clodfelter (D). District three candidates are Kristina Warren (R) who was ill and unable to attend the event and Terry Clifford (D). Clifford was given half the time allotted to discuss his views.

County Council at Large candidates were Republicans Nancy Fogle and Opal Sutherlin. Larry Parker was not at the forum. Democrat candidates were Bette Bertram and Dale Pierce.

County Council members mostly agreed that the two most pressing issues facing the county were roads and funding for the Human Shelter, Away Home and Senior Center.

A majority of them also agreed that the county schools need to be consolidated, thereby eliminating the need for four superintendents, all as a cost-savings measure.

Panelists for the event were Karen Martogolio, Greencastle League of Women Voters, Tyler Archer, WGRE News and Maribeth Ward of the Banner Graphic. Moderator for the forum was Samantha Crispin, WGRE News and Lesley Hanson who moderated questions from the audience at the end of the event.

The forum was broadcast live on WGRE and will be rebroadcast on Public Access TV in Greencastle.