Two Democrats compete for chance to challenge South Bend District 5 Council member Eli Wax
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, with local help from the ADP, operates Vote411.org, a website with information about the candidates and their positions on key issues.
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 contested races. Additional questions and answers, including from candidates who have no opponent in the primary, are available at Vote411.org.
Early voting for Indiana's May 2 municipal primary election began last week. To vote early, either fill out an application for a mail ballot at https://indianavoters.in.gov/MVPHome/PrintDocuments or vote in person. In St. Joseph County, there are two early-voting locations: the County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. in South Bend; or the Mishawaka County Services Building, 219 Lincoln Way W. in Mishawaka. Voters must present a valid government-issued photo ID.
Early-voting hours at both locations are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays (except May 1, when voting closes at noon.); 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays April 22 and 29; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 30.
In South Bend's 5th Council District, Republican incumbent Eli Wax is unchallenged in the primary. He will face the winner of a Democratic primary between Patrick Reighter and Sherry Bolden-Simpson. Wax's responses will be printed in The Tribune in the fall. They already appear on vote411.org.
Patrick Reighter
Occupation: Financial advisor, Edward Jones
Email: patrick.reighter@edwardjones.com
Website: patrickforsouthbend.com
Campaign phone: 574-261-7723
Sherry Bolden-Simpson
Occupation: Director of Guidance at Rise Up Academy
Email: sboldensim@gmail.com
Website: voteforsherry.com
Campaign phone: 574-210-4632
Several recent local examples show the importance of communication among elected officials. Issues surrounding a civilian board to review police behavior and attempts to fund a mental health crisis center illustrate this point. How will you ensure effective communication with other elected officials, as well as transparency with the public?
Patrick Reighter: My number one priority is serving my fellow community members to the best of my ability. That means putting aside ego, avoiding petty bickering that stands in the way of progress, and putting the needs of working families first. I will approach each issue with common sense analysis. I believe in listening, crowd-sourcing solutions, and then using data and facts to make rational decisions. I find that keeping an open mind, listening to every argument and approaching a challenge without an agenda usually leads to favorable outcomes. Not only will I pledge to make myself available to residents and organizations, I will ensure that I am seeking them out to participate and engage in the process.
Sherry Bolden-Simpson: There are two sides of communication and one of those sides is listening. The recent fumbles with the creation of the civilian review board and the health crisis center seem to be the result of not enough listening. Our perspective on issues is formed by our experiences, but we haven’t all had the same experiences. We need to listen to one another to understand the other person’s perspective. Too often people only listen to find details to construct a rebuttal. I will listen with the goal of building consensus. In my 37 years as a teacher, counselor and principal, I know that people remember most how they felt. I will pay attention to both the details and the emotions. Effective communication builds relationships and facilitates transparency.
What is the best way to curb crime? Should we increase police staffing, technology and budgets? Or should we redirect resources away from policing? Explain your reasoning.
Patrick Reighter: One of my highest priorities is ensuring safe neighborhoods and I do not believe the way to get there is a an either/or proposition. We must use all tactics, strategies, and tools at our disposal to achieve this objective. I believe increased police staffing is an essential part of that solution and I will be proud to provide our Police with the resources they need. That being said, we know that there are certain instances of public emergencies such as mental health and drug rehabilitation that are better suited for different resources than policing. Funding these areas would not only better solve the problem, but free up our police to focus their efforts where they can be more effective.
Sherry Bolden-Simpson: The best way to curb crime is to take an approach that is proactive and multi-faceted. The causes of crime are complex and a reactive response to crime will not bring about long term changes. I believe funds should be committed to upgrading neighborhoods, and building positive relationships. Neighborhoods that are poorly lighted, filled with littered vacant lots and abandoned houses signal crime. Those signals have to be removed. The City of South Bend must invest in policies and programs that foster positive relationships between the police department and the citizens of South Bend. I am a proponent of placing School Resource Officers in the middle schools of South Bend Community School Corporation for the purpose of building relationships as well as maintaining safety. A trusting public will help our police officers solve crimes.
The South Bend Redevelopment Commission is responsible for much of the public money going toward private investment. What should be required of companies seeking financial incentives and investments and what power should the city have to reclaim tax money if a company does not fulfill its promises?
Patrick Reighter: Development of our community is vital to the long-term success of South Bend but it cannot be at the cost of our local workers. It is imperative that we insist on new development projects and buildings being constructed through the use of local labor whenever possible. This ensures the highest level of safety on the job site, the highest level of quality for our buildings and keeps the invested dollars in South Bend instead of further enriching Indianapolis or Chicago. If we are offering tax abatements to drive growth, it must be contingent on these standards with the option to repossess these tax breaks upon investigation.
Sherry Bolden-Simpson: Investment companies seeking investments in South Bend should submit to thorough vetting of their past endeavors and also submit to progress monitoring throughout the construction period. The South Bend Redevelopment Commission should disqualify companies who have a record of defaulting on their promises. It is imperative that the city re-claim tax money from companies that default. The Commission should seek legal recourse against the companies that default and also bar them from any other investment opportunities The South Bend Redevelopment Commission must maintain a standard of accountability.
What can the city do to address the issues of children and adults living in poverty and/or homelessness in the community?
Patrick Reighter: The issue of homelessness runs much deeper than poverty. The root issue causing the epidemic of homelessness in our community is drug use and mental health. We are lucky enough to have some resources in our community and the impact that they have made in countless lives is incredible, but they are not a “one size fits all” solution. I will support all initiatives that seek to provide both crisis intervention and/or wrap around services that help families facing homelessness.
Sherry Bolden-Simpson: Our city has a moral as well as a financial imperative to address homelessness and poverty. I would support researched based interventions that break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. First, the city and the county need to fund transitional housing where people can become stable enough to address the root causes of their homelessness. The city should seek out and invite union friendly businesses to come to South Bend. Union membership has been shown to raise wages and protects workers against exploitation and discrimination. The city must advocate for its citizens and pressure the county to fully fund a mental health crisis response center because untreated mental health issues wreak havoc in families and plunge them into poverty. Our families need a safety net of services to prevent poverty.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend District 5 voters choose from Reighter, Bolden-Simpson, Wax