Commissioner candidate Mike Clark responds to questions

Friday, April 29, 2016
Mike Clark

The Greencastle League of Women Voters asked the County Commissioner District 3 candidates the following questions:

1. Why are you the best choice for Putnam County voters? (150 words)

2. What issues are you hearing from Putnam County residents that you feel are pressing matters for the county and how will you address them? (150 words)

3. What do you see as your district's challenges and assets? (100 words)

4. As a County Commissioner what do you see as your relationship with the heads of county departments? (100 words)

1. I have always been very committed to improving the community that I live in. Thirty years of law enforcement experience has taught me that sometimes you have to make tough decisions and ask the tough questions. For the last 11 years, I have been responsible for my department's budget, in that time I have always stayed within budget and most of the time well under budget. The only promise that I will make to anyone is that if the voters choose to elect me I will do the best job that I can do, and that I will work for the people of Putnam County, I will work to earn the trust that you put in me when you cast your ballot.

2. The condition of the roads all over the county is the concern I hear most from the citizens that I have talked with. And I have to agree, we have several roads in the county that are in terrible shape. After speaking with former and current employees of the county as well as other counties highway workers, I believe the county has the equipment and resources to improve several roads for less money than they are spending on small sections of roadway. I understand that we only have so much money in the budget for road repair, however I believe with proper planning and changing the way we are currently doing things we can improve a large majority of the roads in Putnam County.

3. Some of the assets to my district would be; an active and informed community, the economic impact from the C Bar C Arena, involved youth, solid school system, and well ran sporting programs. Some of the challenges that I see for my area; repairing roads, how to bring additional business to the area, and how to take advantage of the economic impact of C Bar C.

4. As a county commissioner I believe it is very important to work with the department heads to help meet their needs and accomplish their goals, while at the same time ensuring they are staying within budget and providing the best services possible for the citizens of Putnam County.