Senate District 44 candidates lay out priorities

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October 28, 2016

Education funding, a long-term infrastructure plan and a broader discussion about drugs are some of the top priorities of Indiana Senate District 44 candidates.

Republican Eric Koch, Democrat Linda Henderson and Libertarian Darin Kinser, all of Bedford, are seeking the senate seat that covers Bartholomew, Brown, Jackson, Lawrence and Monroe counties.

Koch has been serving since 2002 in the Indiana House of Representatives, representing House District 65.

His priorities include getting adequate funding for K-12 education and public safety, establishing a long-term infrastructure plan that includes local needs, and addressing the impact of public and tax-exempt land on the local tax base.

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Koch touts legislation passed in the General Assembly that provided $1 billion in new state and local road, bridge funding for the next years “with no state tax increases or debt.”

Henderson said she supports Democrat candidate for governor John Gregg’s plan to establish a long-term, dedicated funding source to improve state and local roads and bridges.

Henderson said she plans to reach across the aisle to address challenges families face, such as education, jobs and roads. Education is her top priority, and she plans to advocate for strong public schools, funding for preschool, expanding workforce training programs and getting support for teachers.

Henderson also wants to address the heroin/meth epidemic with a multifaceted approach. Mental health and treatment services need to be considered, as well as “reaching kids long before they get to 12 years old to make an impact,” she said.

Kinser, a small business owner, believes legalizing medical marijuana will lead to an increase in revenue for the state. That would provide funding for items like education and infrastructure, and pain relief to those in need, he said.

“If you look at Colorado, you look at Washington, they’re bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue from it,” he said.

“We’re supposed to be able to offer the No. 1 best health care we could possibly give somebody. We have a drug that will make a difference in everyone’s life when it comes to pain. They’re refusing to do that here in Indiana.”

Henderson said she’s against the expansion of the school voucher system in Indiana. She said its impact needs to be assessed.

“I do not like taking dollars away from public education to support private endeavors. We have a responsibility to our public schools and teachers to see that they are adequately funded and supported,” she said.

Koch believes that the voucher system should be monitored and public schools should be given more freedom to allow them to be innovative so there can be a level playing field.

He says children using vouchers in other school districts are actually beneficial for local public schools, since voucher students cost the state only 90 percent or 50 percent of the amount that would otherwise go to the home public school. Koch said voucher use leaves more money in the state fund and “drives up per-student funding for all other schools.”

Kinser said he supports vouchers and is not in favor of public schools. He believes some schools can’t offer certain help to some students and families need the option to choose a school that fits their child’s needs best.

“I have been in favor of charter schools and expansion of vouchers in Indiana since day one. I will always continue to support vouchers because I believe in the free market and I believe in competition,” he said.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Eric Koch” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Political party: Republican

Hometown: Bedford

Occupation: Attorney

Political experience: Indiana House District 65 representative for 14 years

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Linda Henderson” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Political party: Democrat

Hometown: Bedford

Occupation: Community relations specialist for the Indiana University School of Public Health; adjunct instructor for Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington

Political experience: District 65 state representative, 1992-94

[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Darin Kinser” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Political party: Libertarian

Hometown: Bedford

Occupation: Owner DK National Outdoor Equipment

Political experience: 2004 and 2008 nominee for Lawrence County commissioner

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Coming Saturday: Preview of the U.S. Senate race in Indiana to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dan Coats

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Local Police, Fire – October 28

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Staff Reports

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October 28, 2016

CPD patrol car — A Dodge Charger police patrol car. From neighborhood spats, to seat-belt enforcement and criminal activity, the Columbus Police Department has been directed to be more proactive in its work with the public. The idea is to make a difference in the community before problems escalate, or even start. (Joe Harpring | The Republic)

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following information was summarized from the records of city, county and state police and fire and hospital agencies.

Arrests

Monday

Desi R. Buckler, 32, 6805 Bonesteel Drive, Columbus, failure to stop after an accident and body attachment, 3:16 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held in lieu of $6,000 bond.

Devin C. Kinman, 25, 2631 Lombardi Court, Columbus, Bartholomew County warrant, 4:12 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Gregory A. Simpson, 32, Edinburgh, Bartholomew County warrant, 5:42 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Christopher A. Yarber, 32, 12406 S. Hillview Drive, Columbus, Bartholomew County warrant, 6:09 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, released on 5,000 bond.

Cameron C. Agnew, 21, 3449 Blackstone Square, Columbus, probation violation, 6:42 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Manuel Torres, 25, 3080 Lakestream Drive, Columbus, probation violation, 7:26 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Anthony W. Edwards, 22, Nineveh, out-of-county warrant, 8:47 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held with no bond.

Arrests

Tuesday

Nadia A. Brown, 25, 3134 N. Marr Road, Columbus, Bartholomew County warrant, 4:07 a.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held with no bond.

Jesse A. Murphy, 27, Edinburgh, out-of-county warrant, resisting law enforcement and false informing, 5:19 a.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held with no bond.

Jake A. Pugsley, 31, 121 Cleveland St., Columbus, out-of-county warrant, 12:22 p.m., by the Columbus Police Department, held with no bond.

William J. Leonard, 28, 1170 Garden St., Columbus, body attachment, 2:22 p.m., by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, held in lieu of $300 cash bond.

Fire, medic runs

Tuesday

4:13 a.m. — Possible overdose in the 1100 block of Phoenix Court.

9:16 a.m. — Carbon monoxide investigation in the 2100 block of Hiker Trace.

1:05 p.m. — Small hazardous materials spill at 11th and Chestnut streets.

6:14 p.m. — Gas odor in the 3300 block of McCullough Lane.

10:43 p.m. — Person injured in the 2000 block of Chapa Drive.

Incidents

Tuesday

3:15 a.m. — Property-damage accident at West County Road 450S and South County Road 100W.

6:17 a.m. — Property-damage accident at 25th Street and Taylor Road.

6:35 a.m. — Property-damage accident in the 5000 block of State Street.

7:26 a.m. — Personal-injury accident on West Goeller Road and Oakbrook Drive.

7:35 a.m. — Property-damage accident at 27th Street and Central Avenue.

8:41 a.m. — Damage to property in the 13000 block of West Old Nashville Road.

11:01 a.m. — Reckless driving at the 69-mile marker of Interstate 65.

11:02 a.m. — Leaving the scene of a property-damage accident in the 3500 block of West County Road 450S.

11:51 a.m. — Theft reported in the 1900 block of Taylor Road.

12:25 p.m. — Drug violations reported in the 500 block of 11th Street.

1:04 p.m. — Property-damage accident at 11th and Chestnut streets.

2:07 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 1700 block of North National Road.

4:53 p.m. — Burglary reported in the 2300 block of Timbercrest Drive.

5:34 p.m. — Theft reported at State and South Mapleton streets.

5:40 p.m. — Property-damage accident reported in the 2100 block of West Jonathan Moore Pike.

5:41 p.m. — Property-damage accident reported in the 700 block of Whitfield Drive.

5:51 p.m. — Theft reported in the 700 block of Repp Drive.

6:11 p.m. — Property-damage accident in the 100 block of Washington Street.

9:02 p.m. — Reckless driving in the 11000 block of North U.S. 31.

9:05 p.m. — Damage to property in the 600 block of Fourth Street.

9:30 p.m. — Shots fired at North County Road 775E and Hauser Drive.

Regional Hospital, Police – October 28

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Staff Reports

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October 28, 2016

JENNINGS COUNTY

Arrests

Tuesday

Aaron Jackson, 26, North Vernon, felony warrant, 2:10 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $1,055 bond.

Michael Thomas, 37, North Vernon, driving while suspended with a prior conviction, 6:08 p.m., by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, $605 bond.

Jesslynn Poynter, 19, Seymour, warrant for theft, 10:28 p.m., by the Indiana State Police, $1,055 bond.

Incidents

Tuesday

6:51 a.m. — Suspicious activity near Sandybrook Drive.

3:14 p.m. — Threats in the 900 block of Veterans Drive.

Friday Night Lights

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Staff Reports

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October 28, 2016

Columbus East at New Palestine

Game time: 7 p.m.

Records: Columbus East 9-1, Martinsville 1-8

Last week: Columbus East beat New Palestine 35-7; Martinsville did not play

Last year’s meeting: Did not play

Coaches: Bob Gaddis is 286-132 in his 38th year, including 168-32 in his 16th year at East; Brad Rose is 8-22 in his third year at Martinsville

Key players: Columbus East QB Josh Major, RB Jamon Hogan, WR Cam Wilson, OT Jared Clark, C/LB Harry Crider, LB T.C. O’Neal, DB Ethan Summa, DB Wade Forman; Martinsville QB Jonathan Collier, RB Ben Balcerak, WR Colton Tribby, WR Eli Tumey, LB Gavin Curtis

What to watch for: The Class 5A No. 4 Olympians are coming off a resounding 35-7 win at 5A No. 2 New Palestine in the first round of the sectional. The Artesians, whose lone win came against Mooresville in Week 8, are a pass-first offense. East and Martinsville have a little familiarity with each other, having met in a preseason scrimmage the past several years.

Prediction: Columbus East 56, Martinsville 7

Columbus North at New Albany

Game time: 7 p.m. today

Records: Columbus North 8-1, New Albany 5-4

Last week: Both teams did not play

Last year’s meeting: Did not play

Coaches: Tim Bless is 124-87 in his 19th year, including 112-78 in his 17th year at North; Sean Coultis is 10-9 in his second year at New Albany

Key players: Columbus North QB Triston Perry, RB Mitchell Burton, OT David Redding, DT Coleman Tennyson, DT Hunter Wolford, LB Tucker Payne, WR/CB J.D. Harris, WR/S Harley Huser; New Albany QB Dylan Clark, RB Darquan Richardson, WR Davin Alexander

What to watch for: Class 6A No. 6 North is coming off one of the best regular seasons in school history. New Albany was 5-2 and receiving votes in the 6A poll before dropping its final two regular-season games. Although the teams first met in 1928, they haven’t faced each other since 1984. In Columbus High School’s final game before the split in 1971, it edged New Albany 21-20.

Prediction: Columbus North , New Albany (THIS NEEDS FILLED IN)

Jennings County at Seymour

Game time: 7 p.m. today

Records: Jennings County 1-9, Seymour 7-3

Last week: Jennings County beat Madison 17-7; Seymour beat Silver Creek 24-6

Regular-season meeting: Seymour won 30-19

Coaches: Rick Zimmerman is 24-67 in his ninth year at Jennings County; Josh Shattuck is 32-47 in his eighth year, including 14-28 in his fourth year at Seymour

Key players: Jennings County QB Brock Ernstes, RB Brooks Wathen, WR/DB Tucker Marsh, OL/DL Brady Shepherd; Seymour QB Alan Perry, RB Zach Carpenter, WR Jackson Morris, S Evens Cribs

What to watch for: The Panthers are coming off their first win of the season in last week’s sectional opener. The Owls have won seven in a row following an 0-3 start and are having their best season since 2005. Last week, Seymour beat a Silver Creek team that had beaten the Owls in the season opener. The teams are meeting in the sectional for the first time since 2004.

Prediction: Seymour 21, Jennings County 14

South Decatur at Eastern Greene

Game time: 7 p.m. today

Records: South Decatur 6-3, Eastern Greene 8-2

Last week: South Decatur did not play, Eastern Greene beat Springs Valley 41-7

Last year’s meeting: Eastern Greene won 41-21 in the sectional

Coaches: Tony Bell is 11-8 in his second year at South Decatur; Joey Paradaen is 23-28 in his fifth year, including 21-10 in his third year at Eastern Greene

Key players: South Decatur QB Kordell Meadows, RB Damon Allen, OL/LB Brandon Farr, S Devon Martin; Eastern Greene QB Jeff Graham, RB Caleb Hamilton, LB Levi Southern, DB Deric French

What to watch for: With 2,094 yard on the ground, Allen is one of the state’s leading rushers. The Thunderbirds, who have only been playing football since 2003, have clinched their first winning season. They have been receiving votes in the Class A poll for most of the season, and their only losses are to the top two teams in Class A, Lafayette Central Catholic and Linton.

Prediction: South Decatur 27, Eastern Greene 26

Looking Back – October 28

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Staff Reports

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October 28, 2016

2006

In football sectional semifinal play, Columbus East rolled over the Jennings County Panthers 49-8, and Columbus North blasted Avon 55-20.

1991

Bartholomew County judges, concerned about a lack of courthouse security, asked county commissioners for a special meeting to discuss safety modifications.

1966

Fred Suhre, the owner of the land where the city dump was located, served notice to the city that the facility on the west bank of White River across Third Street bridge was going to be closed, deepening the city’s trash disposal crisis.

Around Town – October 28

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Staff Reports

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October 28, 2016

Orchids to …

• George Albers for his letter about moral decay in our society.

• Mike Malinsky for his letter regarding Hillary Clinton’s stance on abortion because many people consider a candidate’s views on the issue as the standard for fitness for office.

• anyone who rubber stamps a city official’s attitude toward taxpayers of Columbus.

• Sharon Williams, for all your help with Ira’s schedule, from the Montgomerys.

• Whipker’s Market for its awesome service.

• Melinda Maurer for being a really good teacher who supports students and doesn’t want them to drop out or quit school.

• the Dillman family for their awesome food, from a disabled person.

• George Albers for the excellent letter to the editor as I agree completely.

• Billy Stott and crew at Advantage Heating and Air Conditioning for taking good care of us, from Bill and Marty Fleetwood.

• George Albers for his letter to the editor in Wednesday’s paper, which was amazingly well-stated and perfectly summarized the current status of our country.

• news anchor Nicole Pence for being an amazing, professional and inspirational speaker at the FFY Great Girls luncheon.

• George Albers for his letter telling us why we should not vote for Hillary Clinton.

Onions to …

• the owners of several fast-food restaurants in town for keeping a manager for whom they have had several reports of verbal abuse of other employees.

• those who compare alleged disparaging remarks about women to perjury, corruption of justice, dereliction of duty and carelessness that has compromised our national security.

• the person who attended the Bible study with a cold and made other people sick.

• the postal service for not delivering or picking up mail on Laurel Drive on Wednesday.

• county officials who show favoritism toward some officers’ shifts and working hours.

• people who don’t understand some people can only walk after dark on the roads and in dark clothing and it’s none of the other person’s business.

• those slamming on the volleyball team.

• stores that let employees who haven’t bathed work, stinking up the whole store, making it impossible to shop there.

• people who ask you to sponsor them in certain events then wait until the night before they have to have the money and expect you to get it before 10 p.m.

• the person behind me who was upset that I wasn’t turning on red when the people coming from the other way had the green turn arrow which trumped my right and ability to turn right on red.

• candidates trying to get into office on the coattails of relatives.

• those who think you have to turn right on red when it’s only an option to do so, not a requirement.

• anyone who believes that one person can “make America great again.”

• anyone who thinks the Democratic nominee would be a good president when she lies and lusts after money.

• people who wear shirts suggesting certain lives matter when all lives matter.

• The Republic for charging to put veterans’ pictures in the paper.

Happy Birthday to …

• Janet Bullock, from Jimmy, Hayley, Tanner, Charlie, Elijah and Curtis, Lyndsay, Breanne, Camren and Mason.

• Shawn Miller from Marian, Vicky, Imogene and the Kirbys, and to Dad from Zachary, Lyndsay and Weston.

• Nancy Nasby and Sam Hoy, from Elsie.

• Zack Wilson

• Tara Jessee

• Chris Whittington

• Betty Vannice, from Kirt, Christy, Royce, Taylor, Ashley, Ambra, Orie, Garett, Isabella, Lyla, J.C., Joe, Mom and Dad Hitch, Marilyn, Patsy, Penny, Donny, Sammy, Charlie, John and all the rest of your family and friends.

• Mary Lucas, from Ron.

Happy Anniversary to …

• Juanita and Shawn Johns from Mom.