Five districts' seats up for election on St. Joseph County Council, majority at stake
The Tribune is partnering with the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area and the American Democracy Project of Indiana University South Bend to publish candidates' answers to questions on the issues. The League and IUSB's ADP operates Vote411.org, a website with information about the candidates and their positions on key issues. The site also includes other tools to help navigate the voting process.
The Tribune has agreed to run candidate answers unedited, meaning any spelling, typographical or grammatical errors are the candidates' own. The Tribune is publishing only some of the questions from a selection of significant races. Additional questions and answers are available at Vote411.org.
District A
Bobby K. Kruszynski Jr.
Democrat
St. Joseph County Councilman District A
bobbyk4council@gmail.com
Joe Thomas
Republican
Owner/Operator - Brookwood Golf Course, Buchanan MI
joethomasforcountycouncil@gmail.com
http://joethomasforcountycouncil.com/
574-292-0530
Facebook.com/joethomasforcountycouncil/
District B
Corey Noland
Democrat
President and CEO of Koontz-Wagner Services
info@coreynolandforcountycouncil.com
corenolandforcountycouncil.com
facebook.com/coreynolandforcountycouncil
Amy Drake
Republican
Mother and At-Home Educator
electamydrake@protonmail.com
http://voteamydrake.com
317-999-9777
Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079560051155
District C
John A. Piller Jr.
Democrat
Director of Field Support, Alcatraz.ai; CEO, JPiller Design and Consulting; Guest Lecturer, Applied Engineering University of Darmstadt (Germany)
piller@voteforpiller.com
http://voteforpiller.com/
facebook.com/VoteForPiller
Dan Schaetzle
Republican
High School Teacher / Businessman
dschaetzle@danforgranger.com
http://danforgranger.com
574-298-6240
District E
Diana Hess
Democrat
County Councilor; Retired nonprofit ED; Former program developer, IU South Bend Continuing Education
info@fordianahessforcountycouncil.com
http://www.dianahessforcountycouncil.com/
574-315-0714
facebook.com/hess4council/
Jason Kring
Republican
Candidate did not respond
District H
Bryan J. Tanner
Democrat
Design Technology Manager
bryan.j.tanner@gmail.com
vote4tanner.com
574-400-5277
facebook.com/vote4tanner
@bryanjtanner on Twitter
Mark A. Voelker
Republican
Vice President Marketing and Sales
markvoel@comcast.net
voelker4council.com
facebook.com/voelker4council
What county services would be better accomplished, and be more reasonably priced, through private contractors? Would you support such a change, or argue for those services to remain within the county’s realm/budget?
Kruszynski Jr.: One of the many problems the County now faces is simply finding private contractors that are available, time sensitive, and cost effective. I have been adamant that the County should keep as many services "in house" as possible. Yet even retaining employees and finding new hires is a challenge. Rising operating costs for everything the County uses are quickly moving upward. It will be a challenge to find the correct mix of private/public services to allow the County to operate effectively.
Thomas: County services need to be evaluated through price and quality. All county services need to be reviewed and possibly some privatized if it provides savings for the county. Sometimes privatizing provides a better service because of private sector competition.
Noland: If a private contractor can provide a service more efficiently and at a lower cost while maintaining compliance with all relative safety and regulatory requirements by definition that would be a better value and should be pursued. I feel that a good example of this if the St. Joseph County leaf collection program. Several years ago I served on the committee that reviewed the feasibility of the County restarting a leaf collection program and it was determined that we would not be able to efficiently provide this service so it was offered to private contracting firms. For the first couple of years the contractor and the County struggled to make the program work efficiently but by learning from past mistakes and implementing improvements along the way the program has been very successful the last few years. A continual improvement process is vital for progress.
Drake: As a steward of the people's money, a council person should seek to spend taxpayer dollars in a responsible way, in the same way that a family takes care of its own household budget. When less expensive, more efficient ways to deliver services are discovered, it makes sense for the Council to examine the issue and explore whether contracting out is most beneficial to the people of the county.
Piller Jr.: As a small business owner working as a contractor and contracting for 20 years I know and understand the value of outside experience and expertise to an organization. I also know that there is point where that outside experience should remain in house. Or in this case within the County’s realm/budget. Also, my position is an outside view. My opponent and I both have not been on the Council, so our views are that of recipients of the services. And one service that I see that has remained low is Leaf Pickup in the fall. This is a service that must be done in the County because, rightfully so, we have a ban on Leaf Burning. As such this is a need for basic clean up of our community. Using outside services seems like a good initial practice. It is best to have a set budget and allow a contractor with some assumed expertise to manage this service. Over time I would like to see this become a standard solution just as snow plowing is part of the standard expectation of services.
Schaetzle: Instead of suggesting the privatization of a current county service, I strongly believe that we need to take a serious look at the condition of a program that is already done through private contracting : the leaf pick-up program. As I talk to my fellow residents in the northeast corner of our county, the leaf pick-up program is often mentioned. They are not pleased with the cost or the efficiency of the program. They roll their eyes and shake their heads as they lament leaves never picked up that sat in frozen piles through the winter and then blew across the landscape. Many also consider the cost to be unreasonable as it continues to increase. Before we do the work to privatize any other county services, let’s get the leaf pick up program done right.
Hess: I would continue to approach those decisions as presented on a case-by-case basis based on recommendations of appropriate county departments, effectiveness of the current operations, and a cost-benefit analysis of county service versus private provider. A couple examples: After adding a County supported leaf pick up service to ease the transition after enacting a leaf burning ban, a few years later we made a decision to partially privatize it based on our analysis. The County Jail outsourced its food services program and recently contracted with a private vendor for medical services. I also supported those moves.
Kring: Candidate has not yet responded.
Tanner: There is a tremendous difference between public and private business. We should absolutely learn from and adapt to cost-saving measures and advancements discovered within the private sector, but I'm a firm believer that, beyond major construction and licensed professional services, public services only stand to decrease in quality or increase in costs when deferred to private contractors.
Voelker: Like all households, with high inflation and expected higher costs for almost everything, the county council will need to review many options on how to balance the budget. There are many services that can only be provided by county employees, however; it is important that we keep an open mind to other new creative ways we can be fiscally responsible and still provide proper services to our residents. The other issue that could affect this is if the county continues to be short staffed and struggle with hiring employees; then looking outside maybe a proper option in providing services to our county.
There have been complaints that elected county officials conduct too much of the public's business in secret, even that officials have at times violated Indiana's Access to Public Records Act. How will you ensure that the public knows how business is conducted on its behalf?
Kruszynski Jr.: We live in a time where it doesn't take much for citizens to question government. There is an inherent bias that elected officials are not working in an open and clear understandable way. The popular word these days is transparency. The public needs to be aware of both the legislative process and formal voting on matters relating to the public interest. Often complaints center on specific issues and garner widespread coverage on traditional and social media. As a Council, we release a large amount of information on meeting locations, times, and subject matters. The public must be an open and dedicated partner in this process. There are times Council members informally discuss upcoming issues or reflect on past actions. This is a natural process and should not be interpreted as a deliberate action to somehow shield the public from information.
Thomas: Indiana’s public access law must be followed in county government with no exceptions. Modern technology can be used, i.e. Social media, television, etc. can help the public be aware of what’s happening within the county government. Transparency is a cliché but true.
Noland: Indiana's Access to Public Records Act is an important safeguard aimed at keeping governmental actions and decisions visible to the public and I support the legislation. It is; however, important to remember that a complaint or accusation is not the same as truth or fact. I have never failed to provide properly requested documents and to the best of my knowledge have never been accused of violating APRA. Ever since COVID demanded that we conduct our Council business through video conferencing we have continued this practice and our meetings are now recorded live and provided on the Council's website for review. I think this is a tremendous tool for the residents of St. Joseph County to get a look into how the Council conducts itself. I believe that what will be revealed is that we operate in a very transparent and inclusive manner.
Drake: An informed citizenry is the basis of a strong government. Indiana's Access to Public Records Act (APRA) helps provide a transparent government and access to public meetings so that the families of St. Joseph County can be assured that the people's business is dealt with properly. As a reporter, I myself have used Indiana's APRA law to obtain access to public information. So, I know from personal experience the value of this law, and I'm supportive of it.
Piller Jr.: Transparency is a must. Decisions that are made cost and help everyone differently. As a representative of District C, I will be open and honest about all meetings I have on County Business. This is not just my County; this is everyone’s County. And everyone should have the facts available on every action. There is no reason for secret business.
Schaetzle: The county should conduct more of its business in less secretive fashion. As a councilman, I would push for the council to more completely explain its reasoning behind specific decisions. This would increase the length of council meetings; however, it would give the public a better understanding of the logic behind the council’s choices. As a teacher and small business owner, I can’t help but also see the opportunity to educate. Our electorate is not well versed on how local government works. As council members, we could invite members of different organizations to observe the function of the council and then join their organizations for follow-up meetings in which the council member and the organization’s observing members present a report on the council function that had been observed. In this way, we could increase not only the public’s awareness of specific business conducted by the county but also increase the public’s understanding of how local government works.
Hess: County Council meets twice monthly; Public Hearing, the 2nd Tuesday (6 pm) & committee meetings, the 4th Tuesday (5:30 pm). Meetings are advertised 48 hours in advance. At the public hearing, individuals can speak in favor or in opposition to any bill on the agenda and can also speak to any issues not on the agenda during privilege of the floor. All public comments are recorded in the minutes. Committee meetings are also open to the public. At the public hearing, items are assigned to committees. At Committee meetings, those items are discussed & sent to the full council with a favorable, unfavorable, or without recommendation for a vote at the public hearing. All Council meetings involving decisions are advertised to the public and the media. Executive sessions are closed to the public. I recommend that we post a link to the Public Access Counselor’s Handbook to the Council webpage. https://www.in.gov/pac/files/PAC-Handbook-2017.pdf
Kring: Candidate has not yet responded.
Tanner: Having served in public office before, and doing so as transparently as humanly possible, I simply won't participate in any government activity which there is even a question of public access or involvement. Public officials are elected or appointed to do the work of, for, and WITH members of our community. The voters and taxpayers of St. Joseph County deserve to know how their money and their trust is being spent.
Voelker: If there has been one positive thing from the pandemic, it may be that most people have become comfortable with virtual meetings or conversations. Continuing the practice of having all county council meetings being streamed will allow residents the opportunity to stay in touch of what’s happening while not personally attending meetings. I will follow the proper requirements that have been established and work with the various departments to get details properly communicated.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: 5 seats up for election on St. Joseph County Council, majority at stake
