Six candidates are seeking three open seats for Bartholomew County Council — at large.
In these candidate profiles, The Republic has listed responses to a series of questions to the candidates with responses placed as to the order the candidates appear on the ballot for Nov. 3.
All candidates were asked what areas of county government should be trimmed if the economy continues to deteriorate, as well as if they would consider another tax hike.
Incumbent Republican Bill Lentz said it’s unlikely spending cuts will be needed in the immediate future, adding that all county departments are very important to the overall function of the county.
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However, if revenues do drop dramatically, Lentz said a tax increase would definitely not be an option he would consider. Along with Miller and Pence, Lentz voted against the 40% hike in the county’s local income tax in August 2017.
Q: Which represents a greater threat to public health in Bartholomew County: Opioid addiction or COVID-19? Where should county tax dollars be invested?
Lentz: "COVID-19 and the opioid addiction crisis are both important health concerns. Considering the work of a councilman’s duties, I find it hard to distinguish which would be the greatest area of importance. As a council member, I will do my best to meet the needs of the residents of Bartholomew County in the areas of health and safety."
Q: What is the worst problem: Voter fraud or voter suppression?
Lentz: "To the best of my knowledge, voter fraud and voter suppression are two things that have not happened in Bartholomew County. We are very fortunate to live in a community that values the right to vote."
Current council president Matt Miller was one of three council members who voted against a 40% hike in the county’s local income tax in August 2017.
When asked about his second term if re-elected, Miller promised he will again vote no to tax increases over the next four years.
"It would be immoral to ask citizens to pay more taxes in the current conditions," said Miller, who listed his second term priorities as having the lowest possible tax rates, improving the quality of county services, and creating an environment favorable for private sector growth.
Q: Which represents a greater threat to public health in Bartholomew County: Opioid addiction or COVID-19? Where should county tax dollars be invested?
Miller: "The federal government is making dramatic progress when dealing with COVID-19; they have also reimbursed the county for related expenses. Meanwhile, opioid addiction preyed on our community long before the virus and will be here long after. The council and I have strongly supported efforts and programs to combat addiction."
Q: What is the worst problem: Voter fraud or voter suppression?
Miller: "Voter suppression and voter fraud are two sides of the same problem. It is an appalling situation which tries to manipulate and undermine the credibility of elected government."
Evelyn Pence, who has been on the council for 40 consecutive years, was asked what areas of county government should be trimmed if the economy continues to deteriorate, as well as whether she would support a tax hike.
Pence voted against raising the county’s local income tax in 2017. Three years later, Pence continues to pledge no tax increases, as well as keeping budgets flat. She lists other priorities as cross-training employees, studying options for vehicle savings that include electric or hybrid vehicles, using LED lighting where feasible, and studying whether solar energy might be a good fit for generating electricity for county properties.
Q: Which represents a greater threat to public health in Bartholomew County: Opioid addiction or COVID-19? Where should county tax dollars be invested?
Pence: "Opioid and COVID-19 are equally dangerous. Opioid is extremely costly to taxpayers with long lasting issues. We have programs for those involved with alternative options. Positive results are being seen. Majority of crimes are related to drug issues in our county. Those affected by the COVID-19 are victims of a tragic health issue.We must continually alert people of the dangers of this virus and status in our county. COVID is bad for our community, as well as the individuals who are secluded in their homes."
Q: What is the worst problem: Voter fraud or voter suppression?
Pence: "Voter fraud is a criminal act. Voting suppression is also a criminal act. Both are illegal and unlawful."
Democrat Tiffany Bosley says that if she’s elected, she will look at the budget closely and do what is best for our county as a whole.
"That means maintaining proper fund levels for essential services like law enforcement and road maintenance, while also providing for citizen-led initiatives throughout the county," Bosley said.
She also says the budget should reflect the public’s priorities, adding that all matters related to funding and revenue should be an ongoing conversation with local residents.
Q: Which represents a greater threat to public health in Bartholomew County: Opioid addiction or COVID-19? Where should county tax dollars be invested?
Bosley: "We can’t afford to take our eye off the ball on either issue. We’ve seen what happens when we fail to provide the resources to address issues like the opioid epidemic, and we can’t afford to turn our back. At the same time, high unemployment, mental and physical fatigue, and an increase in mental health concerns all related to the pandemic increase the risks on that front. If we want our community to survive, we must (focus on both issues)."
Q: What is the worst problem: Voter fraud or voter suppression?
Bosley: "We should be focusing our energy on the problem that exists – voter participation in Bartholomew County. While Bartholomew County has never had a single voter fraud conviction, over 40% of our voters aren’t being heard year after year. Indiana laws often make it harder to participate, especially for working families, but we could also do more as a county. Things like more voting locations, not fewer, proactive delivery of absentee ballot applications, and a budget that includes an effective advertising plan."
Olisa Humes, who recently stepped down as president of the local NAACP chapter to run for political office, said county council members are responsible for balancing the budget.
While Humes said she is prepared to make cuts if necessary to reach a balanced budget, she says the top priority of the council must always be saving lives.
"Bridges and roads can always be replaced, but a human life is priceless, Humes said.
Q: Which represents a greater threat to public health in Bartholomew County: Opioid addiction or COVID-19? Where should county tax dollars be invested?
Humes: "I believe both the opioid addiction epidemic and the Covid-19 pandemic are both significant health crises in our community. Every day, lives are being lost and families are being forever broken. I am confident we as a community are more than capable of addressing both crises simultaneously and effectively in effort to continue to save lives."
Q: What is the worst problem: Voter fraud or voter suppression?
Humes: "According to the Brennan report, voter fraud is almost non-existent, less than one hundredth of a percent, while we see evidence of voter suppression across the country. According to ACLU "voter suppression ranges from: additional obstacles to registration, cutback on early voting, and strict voter identification requirements." We have seen examples of this in Indianapolis, Louisville and other major cities across the country. So voter suppression is by far the worst problem."
Claudette Schroer is a retired Centra Credit Union employee ran an unsuccessful campaign to become Bartholomew County auditor in 2006.
If cost-cutting become necessary, Schroer said both county employees and elected officials must identify opportunities to streamline services to reduce taxpayer burden. She suggests offering incentives to employees for viable cost savings, or to suggests reductions that have worked for other operations.
"Taxpayers will be under similar financial pressure," Schroer said. "A tax increase should always be a last resort once all other options are exhausted. There is time to prepare for this possibility."
Q: Which represents a greater threat to public health in Bartholomew County: Opioid addiction or COVID-19? Where should county tax dollars be invested?
Schroer: "COVID-19 is a pervasive threat with effective preventive measures that will keep us safe until a vaccine is available. Opioid addiction is a blight brought on by the greed of some preying on the vulnerability of others. Elected officials must assure that all valid measures are employed to address both through effective law enforcement and compassionate treatment strategies. We must deal with both."
Q: What is the worst problem: Voter fraud or voter suppression?
Schroer: "Both voter fraud and voter suppression undermine the integrity of elections and our democracy. Instances of fraud and suppression must be addressed to maintain the declarations we make as candidates when we file to serve in public office. Everyone must be confident that they can vote and that their vote will be counted."
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Name: Matt Miller
City of residence: Columbus
Age: 34
Party: Republican
Previous offices sought: County Council At-Large member since 2016. Currently serves as council president.
Occupation: Owner of Raft to Rafters Pool & Spa, Real Estate Investor, Part time deputy sheriff in Jennings County
Education: Purdue University Bachelor of Science (Professional Flight); Minor in Entrepreneurship. Graduate of Leadership Bartholomew County (2010)
Professional honors and associations: 20 Under 40 award Recipient 2010. Current board member of the Indiana chapter of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance.
Community involvement: Current member of Indiana Attorney General’s Public Safety Coalition; St. Peter’s Lutheran Church; Bartholomew County Job Review Classification Committee; Bartholomew County Personnel Administrative Committee. Volunteer for "Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana." Current board member for Columbus Rotary Club; Advisory Board for the Salvation Army and Columbus Indiana Huey. Past board member of Leadership Bartholomew County and Community Partners for Child Safety.
Family: Wife, Lisa.
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Name: Evelyn Strietelmeier Pence
City of residence: Columbus
Age: 78
Party: Republican
Previous offices sought: Has served as a county council member at-large since 1980.
Occupation: Retired from Cummins Inc. Currently: Property Management
Education: Attended IUPUI in Indianapolis. Graduated from the National School or Aeronautics and the Indiana School of Auctioneering. Has also received certificates for completing on-going educational classes.
Community involvement: Member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church; Current member of the Bartholomew County Landlord Association and Bartholomew County Farm Bureau; Past President of the Bartholomew County Historical Society. Past member of the Republican Ladies League and the United Way board of directors.
Family: Husband, Dr. Ben B. Pence, one child, three grandchildren.
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Name: Tiffany Bosley
City of residence: Columbus
Age: 34
Party: Democrat
Previous offices sought: none
Occupation: Bartholomew County Division of Family and Resources
Education: Graduate of Columbus North High School. Currently attending Indiana Wesleyan University to complete her degree in Human Resources.
Community involvement: Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; current member of the Race Equity Group; previous member of the Columbus chapter of Black Lives Matter.
Family: Husband: The Rev. David A Bosley, 5 children.
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Name: Olisa Humes
City of residence: Columbus
Age: 48
Party: Democrat
Previous offices sought: None
Occupation: Family Advocate. Works for Human Services, Inc. and Brighter Days.
Education: 1990 graduate of Columbus North High School. Bachelor of Science from the University of Evansville.
Community involvement: Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people and the Columbus Enrichment Program.
Family: Three children. Korin, Kassidy and William.
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Name: Claudette Schroer
City of residence: Columbus
Age: 72
Party: Democrat
Previous offices sought: Ran for Bartholomew County Auditor in 2006
Occupation: Retired from Centra Credit Union
Education: 1966 graduate of Columbus High School, attended Indiana Business College
Professional honors and associations: Awarded a scholarship to Indiana Business College
Community involvement: Member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, currently serving as Financial Secretary.
Family: Jeff Schroer, 2 sons and 4 grandchildren.
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Name: William F. (Bill) Lentz
City of Residence: Columbus
Age: 62
Party: Republican
Occupation: Co-manager of Lentz Farms
Education: Hauser High School Class of 1975. Studied agriculture at Purdue University.
Previous offices sought: Member of Bartholomew County Council since 2008. Served on the Flat Rock-Hawcreek School board of trustees from 1992 to 2008.
Professional honors and associations: Past recipient of the Bartholomew County Rural Service Award.
Community involvement: Bartholomew County Farm Bureau board member and past-president; 4-H leader for 32 years; Formerly served on board of directors or trustees for the Heritage Fund, County Extension office, Bartholomew County Family Service, Hope Chamber of Commerce, Bartholomew County Arts Council and the Community Center of Hope. Mill Race Center board member, and member of Bartholomew County Right To Life. Former member of Hope Kiwanis Club and Columbus Rotary Club. Member of Athens Community Church in Columbus.
Family: Wife, Shari; two adult children.
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