An incumbent city councilman is being challenged in the GOP primary by a former Democrat who is active in a neighborhood crime watch.
Dascal Bunch, 64, a retired tool maker, is seeking his third consecutive term representing District 1 on the Columbus City Council in the May 7 primary. He is being challenged by Christopher Rutan, 41, who said he’s running for the seat because of his concern about drugs and crime issues.
Rutan, a property manager, said he was motivated to run after Bunch did not communicate with him in regard to 2018 requests for additional street lights and repairs that Rutan said would help address safety issues on Columbus’ east side, which is District 1.
Bunch said experience has taught him he must have the support of the mayor and at least two other council members in order to have improvements in his district seriously considered.
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Setting priorities
While Rutan cited community safety and infrastructure improvements as top priorities, Bunch said he plans to propose significant improvements along McKinley and Gladstone avenues that would be similar to Indiana Avenue improvements.
Bunch is also seeking safer street alignments in the Five Points area, east of the Cummins Tech Center.
“All this may not be finished in my lifetime, but I’d like to get something started in my next term,” Bunch said.
When it comes to the most pressing issue in District 1, Rutan and Bunch agree infrastructure improvements — especially improvement for antiquated sewage systems — are at the top of the list.
But other items on Bunch’s priority list include more affordable housing, as well as attracting a pharmacy and a conventional supermarket to southeast Columbus.
Rutan said addressing substance abuse and homelessness more effectively and efficiently are the most pressing issues he has identified.
Although Rutan is in favor of new substance abuse prevention programs initiated by the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress, he said it will be at least a year before their effectiveness can be determined. Rutan said both intermediate and long-term efforts must be made to address the opioid crisis.
But Bunch says substance abuse is widespread in many parts of the city — not just in his district. However, he did say the issue of too many homeless people gravitating toward southeast Columbus is one that needs to be addressed by the entire council.
Proposed projects
Rutan and Bunch applaud the efforts that have gone into the renovation and beautification of the State Street corridor.
But Bunch said he wants to see additional lighting and wider sidewalks extended from Mapleton Street all the way to Marr Road for the benefit of pedestrians and bicyclists.
Rutan says the progress along the corridor seems to be moving slowly. He feels additional housing, as well as safety measures, are what’s needed most along State Street and nearby.
A proposed $25 million conference center and hotel in the downtown area is also on the minds of the two candidates.
In light of the July 2017 closing of the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, and its eventual demolition, Rutan said he’s in favor of the new hotel — just as long as taxes aren’t raised to pay for it.
While Bunch said the city has been in dire need of a conference center since the Clarion closed, he believes the facility needs to be built further east on Second Street rather than the two locations near the Bartholomew County Jail that are being considered.
In terms of last December’s purchase of the 35-acre Fair Oaks Mall property, Bunch said he’s fully supportive of Mayor Jim Lienhoop’s vision for the property. Multiple uses are being considered that include indoor sports and recreation, city parks administration, appropriate retail such as Dunham’s Sports, and possibly some hospital services.
Rutan said he initially thought the city should not be managing these types of properties, but after examining the issue more closely, he agrees with Bunch that it’s a good investment.
In contrast, Rutan describes the proposed Riverfront Project as “nothing but a disaster right now.” At this time, he lists his major concerns as accidental drownings and a concern that criminals might use the remoteness of the area to victimize others.
Bunch said he supports the Riverfront Project as long as the facility can be made safe. But he did mention it was unfortunate that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources approves of removing the nearby low head dam, which he said is one of the most attractive locations of the area.
Transparency
If there is one topic where the two candidates have opposing views, it’s the individual meetings that council members have with the mayor and city officials to receive information prior to council meetings.
Bunch insists there is never a decision made during those meetings about what the council will — or will not do — in advance of a meeting.
Instead, these meetings, which Bunch says go back to the 1979-1983 administration of former mayor Nancy Ann Brown, are only held to allow council leaders to learn what’s on the mind of the mayor, as well as to learn what’s coming down the road, the incumbent councilman said.
However, Rutan said he’s convinced some pre-made decisions are reached prior to council meetings before members of the public are given a chance to express their views.
“Unless there is an emergency, I would never meet behind closed doors and have my mind made up before I listen to my constituents,” Rutan said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Dascal Bunch” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 64
Occupation: Retired tool maker
Education: Graduated from Columbus High School in 1973. Attended classes at Ball State University.
Previous elected offices held: Has represented District 1 on the Columbus City Council since 2011.
Community involvement: Works with State Street Area Association Ordinance Review Committee; Columbus Housing Authority; Columbus Area Metropolitan Planning Organization; chairman of Columbus Parking Committee, and serves in several capacities at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Family: Divorced, two adult children.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Christopher Rutan ” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 41
Current occupation: Property manager
Education: Received general education equivalent diploma in 1994
Previous elected offices held: None
Community involvement: Long-time organizer of the 9th Street Park Neighborhood Watch
Family: Single
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