Vigo County Council candidate forum sparsely attended

Mar. 27—There were more candidates for Vigo County Council At-Large seats who did not attend Wednesday evening's candidate forum at the Vigo County Public Library than those who did.

In attendance were Democratic incumbent, Todd Thacker, Democratic challengers Jim Bramble and Scott E. Fisher and Republican candidate Steve Ellis.

Missing were Republican challengers Brad Anderson, Dusty Havens and Bill Treadway.

Two Democrats had sent their regrets in advance of the forum: Incumbent Marie Belzile-Theisz, who had planned a spring break vacation with her teenage son well before the forum had been scheduled, and challenger Brenda Wilson, who was absent due to health reasons.

Those who did attend the event hosted by the Vigo County League of Women Voters addressed issues raised by questions written by audience members and read by Indiana State University political science professor Matt Bergbower.

In opening comments, candidates introduced themselves to those assembled.

Ellis, who wore a "Don't Tread on Me" hoodie, introduced himself as a lifetime Vigo resident and a business owner — he owns Top Guns — and applied business practice principles in answering some questions.

Fisher, a fourth-generation Vigo County resident, recently retired from the Sheet Metal Workers Local 20 and said he wanted to help his community.

The other two candidates were experienced in serving the county. Thacker, currently the president of the county council, said it was his first candidate forum — he had been caucused in after the death of his predecessor, Dan Morris, in 2021.

Bramble currently serves as Vigo County Auditor, which he noted gave him much insight into the county's finances.

A question about county budgeting drew similar responses from Bramble and Thacker, who both wanted to see more long-range planning. Ellis compared the county to a large business, and promised to manage the county's budget as a business or homeowner. Fisher said he would be responsible both to taxpayers and county employees.

Later, Ellis said first responders should be shielded from budget cuts, while Bramble said there should be no sacred cows. Thacker equated making a budget to "making sausage."

All candidates promised to work in collaboration with the city, with Thacker and Ellis mentioning the riverfront as a good project to join forces on. Thacker noted that the county and city worked closely together on Thrive West Central's housing project.

They were divided on how to benefit from revenue coming from the local casino that will be opening next week. Ellis said he would use funds to develop infrastructure, while Fisher said he would use money to offset property taxes but warned not to promise to spend money the county didn't yet have.

Bramble and Thacker agreed that there were no concrete answers on how much revenue the casino would bring in — Thacker said it came under the category of "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" — but Bramble suggested it go to infrastructure and Thacker mentioned public safety.

Asked what is one of the most pressing matters facing Vigo County, Thacker and Bramble both mentioned the new jail, which is already at capacity, and how the justice system handles substance abuse. Thacker also mentioned housing, while Fisher touted jobs.

Ellis, on the other hand, said the county did not market itself well to outsiders, mentioning Effingham billboards seen in the area that inform travelers how many hotels and restaurants the city has to offer. If more travelers along I-70 knew about Vigo County, he said, that would bring in more revenue through visitors and people moving in.

The next question concerned priorities the council should examine, though it was unclear how that differed from a pressing matter.

Thacker agreed with Ellis and spoke about the marketing issue. Ellis said schools, whereas Bramble said roads and courts while noting the state tends to decide what local politicians should prioritize. Fisher said, simply, a plan — to "know where we're going" as far ahead as "20 years from now."

Spending tax dollars efficiently was a topic that drew a variety of responses. Thacker said he did so as soon as he became council president, eliminating a position he felt redundant and giving those responsibilities to the auditor's office. Bramble and Fisher both said the county's website was difficult to navigate and needed major improvements, while Ellis questioned why large sums of money needed to be devoted to consultants conducting studies.

Voter turnout was a concern from one questioner, who wanted to know how it could be improved. Fisher and Ellis both said it started in the schools, who should encourage young people to vote. Ellis noted that local candidates tend not to be as aggressive and negative, which drives voter turnout up elsewhere in the country. Thacker and Bramble both agreed what was needed was, as Bramble put it, "A legislature who doesn't throw up roadblocks" in front of voters.

In closing comments, Fisher thanked those in attendance for being "informed voters," and Ellis said the county was "blessed" to have so many qualified candidates for running.

Thacker said, "I'll be OK if I don't win — but will you be OK?"

Republican councilman at-large Aaron Loudermilk opted not to run for a third term.

Candidate forums are co-sponsored by the Greater Terre Haute NAACP and the Tribune-Star.

Primary election Day is May 7. Early voting begins April 9. Both Republican and Democratic voters can mark their ballots for up to three at-large council candidates.

David Kronke can be reached at 812-231-4232 or at david.kronke@tribstar.com.