Q&A attached as breakout under related content
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Q: Is there a value in the city providing tax abatements to businesses? What approach should the city have on tax abatements?
A: Abatements are useful tools which government uses to encourage growth of local business and recruit new business to locate in Columbus. They must be for a specific time period and require accountability to ensure that the new jobs promised in the application actually occur.
Q: What three improvements to city government would you like to see and why?
A: Make all neighborhoods attractive for people to live happy, productive lives, creating an environment appealing to new companies. Include leaders from industry, education and churches to serve with government for planning future growth of Columbus. Encourage new leaders to re-energize the community spirit which makes Columbus so special.
Q: What should the working relationship be between the city council and the mayor?
A: The central issue in this election is our mayor is a woman who is a product of our school system and our community. Some established leaders of this community do not like her style of leadership. The mayor leads. The council advises and consents on issues before them.
Q: Should city government provide money for the arts and nonprofit organizations? Explain why or why not.
A: To create an environment of attractiveness, I believe that the government can invest taxpayer money to get an organization started or help an existing organization with a specific project. Support of arts and nonprofit organizations should not be a budgeted item. Organizations of this type should be self-sustaining.
Q: Columbus is faced with the need for an overpass at State Roads 46 and 11 to alleviate an expected increase in railroad traffic and a growing number of commuters along the city’s west side downtown entrance. An overpass could cost about $35 million. What is your solution for funding it?
A: The roads affected are state roads, therefore, Indiana Department of Transportation and federal transportation agency will be involved. Both agencies must be a part of the financing. After the amount is known, the leaders of Columbus can then consider the method of financing they will use.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Charles Doup” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Charles Doup
Party: Republican
Age: 75
Address: 3251 Fairlawn Drive
Occupation: Retired businessman
Education: Attended Indiana Central College
Previous elected offices held (and when): None
Previous elected offices sought (and when): None
Community involvement: Garden City Church of Christ, member
Immediate family: Wife, Linda; son, C. Richard Doup; daughter-in-law, Dawn Doup.
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