County candidates respond to LWV’s questionnaire

County Commissioner District 3

Donald K. Walton

8 N. Main St.

Cloverdale

Republican

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

I am a Republican candidate for the 3rd Distract County Commissioner. The 3rd District includes the townships of Cloverdale, Jefferson, Warren and Washington. I was born in Cloverdale, graduated from Belle Union High School, served in the U.S. Army, and have lived in Putnam County my entire life. I am married to Micalene and have three children and five grandchildren. I am a self-employed brick layer and contractor. I own and operate Don Walton Builders and Stove Sales in Cloverdale. I am a member of the Cloverdale Church of Christ.

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-word response)

As commissioner, I seek to make Putnam County a great place to live. I have a strong interest in upgrading the many miles of roads and bridges. Putnam County has 220 bridges and 750 miles of roads. I will continue to work with our state legislature trying to get more money for roads. I am a strong supporter of well-planned economic development for the county, cities and towns. I will continue to have a strong interest in agriculture and family farms.

I will continue working with our senior citizens in Putnam County on programs and grants. I have a strong interest in helping and planning programs for the youth of our county. I am currently a member of the West Central Economic Development in Terre Haute and also on the West Central District Solid Waste Committee. I am also a member of the Cloverdale and Greencastle Chamber of Commerce and Farm Bureau.

3. What do you see as your District’s challenges and assets? (100-word response)

Roads and bridges continue to be a top priority with residents of the county, along with weeds and brush. The Manhattan Road was resurfaced halfway from Greencastle south. The other half toward U.S. 40 will be resurfaced next year. The extra monies from the state helped the county with this road and others as well. Some roads were chip and sealed also.

The graders, patching machine and weed-cutting tractors stay very busy as well. The Highway Department is also busy on smaller bridge projects. Several of the large bridge projects have been funded with federal aid 80/20 (percent) monies.

4. As a county commissioner what do you see as your relationship with heads of county departments? (100-word response)

The County Commissioners work very close with other units of county government. We work together with the Putnam County Council on budgets and additional appropriations. We work closely with the Auditor’s Office as they serve as secretary at all our meetings.

As commissioner, I will also work with many other offices including: Treasurer, Clerk, Records, Judge/Prosecutor (court system), Sheriff/Jail, (courthouse security). I will continue to work with the janitors overseeing their work around the courthouse, the Planning/Zoning, Board of Health, 911, Operation Life, Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and the Highway Department.

Nancy Wells

7016 E. County Road 525 South

Fillmore

Democratic

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

It is time for a change. My opponent has served the county for many years and it is time for a change. I am educated, fiscally responsible, organized and ready to serve the residents of this county in a fair manner. I am a graduate of Purdue University, a retiree of Duke Energy after 32 years as a forecasting analyst.

I served 20 years on the South Putnam School Board of Trustees. I am currently on the board of directors at the Putnam County Community Foundation, serving as treasurer, on the Finance Committee and Youth Philanthropy Committee. I am active in the local Elks Club as the treasurer, National Scholarship Chair and House Committee. I am also the president of the Putnam County Planning Commission.

I would like to see this county become proactive in the management of finances, roads and bridges, employment needs, benefits and purchases.

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-word response)

In discussion with residents, I hear the same complaints that I have heard for a number of years; roads, roads roads. I would like to implement a comprehensive plan on the maintenance and repair of the county roads including online access for residents to find out when their roads will be maintained. Of course, I would like to pursue every avenue of finding grants, state and/or federal funding to use for improvement of not only roads and bridges throughout the county, but any other capital investments.

3. What do you see as your district’s challenges and assets? (100-word response)

Good quality roads and infrastructure are the basic necessity to economic development. I feel it is necessary to protect agricultural areas yet recognize and encourage the proper placement and types of development that will benefit our county.

4. As a county commissioner what do you see as your relationship with the heads of county departments? (100-word response)

I would expect each department head to keep the commissioners informed of upcoming needs and expectations. It is up to each department head to operate his or her department. Those that are appointed by the commissioners should be evaluated based on their performance annually.

The commissioners should make recommendations to each department for increased efficiency as they see fit. I would hope that the commissioners would have a good working relationship with each department so that suggestions could be discussed and brainstormed to the fullest extent. As a commissioner, I would not expect to know each department as well as the department.