ELECTION 2012: 6 vie for 3 Clark GOP council spots

CLARK COUNTY — Six Republican candidates who are seeking three available Clark County Council At-large seats will be parsed down heading into November’s general election.

The lone Republican At-large council member, Chuck Moore, has decided to not seek re-election in the May primary. All of the Republican candidates running would be a new addition to the county council.

Ronald Brogan, 65, a retired bank president and commercial loan executive, said his education and his business experience sets him apart from the other candidates running for office. He said he has been a bystander in politics, but has the time and the energy now and wanted to get involved.

To ensure the county is able to cover its expenses, Brogan said the council has to establish a budget and try and live with it. He added the county will improve its financial position year-over-year by continuing to improve its budgeting process.

“The spending mistakes in the budget four years ago, we’re still recovering from that,” he said.

Brogan added that a balanced budget is a must and that the county’s departments must continue to reduce expenses through efficiency and innovation.

“I believe there is always a better way, a more efficient way, of doing anything,” he wrote in his News and Tribune candidate questionnaire.

In order to determine the most efficient course for Clark County, Brogan said there needs to be better communication among the commissioners and the council.

“I hope to see less politics,” he said referring to budgeting and managing the county’s expenses.

With his call for less politics dictating policy, Brogan said it is time for new perspectives and a new outlook on the council.

“I think I can make a real objective decision,” he said. “I don’t owe anybody any favors.”

Kelly Khuri, who declined to disclose her age, has not held political office, but has been a constant at county council and Clark County Commissioners meetings over the past two years. A Tea Party leader in Clark County, Khuri said she decided to run because she is very concerned and interested.

“I have the availability to talk to people from all corners of the county, every week,” she said.

Khuri added that she has been an advocate for the taxpayers and will work to control spending in the county. But before cuts are made to specific areas of spending, she said the county has to know where it stands.

“First, you have to know exactly what is needed,” she said. “Do we really know?” she asked.

To determine the state of the county, Khuri said there needs to be a review of every department, including a review of the county’s assets. After the county’s asset list is determined, then the council could eliminate wasteful spending and streamline operations.

“We need to have some dedicated people,” Khuri said. “I’m ready, I’m dedicated. I’m one of them. I’m in this for the long-haul.”

She said the goal is to get the county out of the red and ready for growth. In addition, Khuri said that she would like to provide a more open government to the citizens of Clark County. She suggested hosting local town halls to gather public input, as well offer more information on the county’s website.

“We need to use it to inform people,” Khuri said.

Chuck Latham, 41, is the general manager of Mount Vernon Barge Service — Jeffersonville LLC, and decided to seek a position on the council for the first time. He said a proven track-record of strong leadership in business and in the community gives him an advantage over his opponents.

The first step the county needs to take in order to manage its finances is to balance its budget, Latham said.

“It can be balanced, it must be balanced,” he said. “We need to cut out wasteful spending.”

But in order to implement the plan, Latham said there needs to be bipartisan support. In order to ensure the county’s financial situation continues to improve, he said that the focus should be on development, specifically at River Ridge.

“The plan would be to stimulate economic growth,” he said. “We really are sitting on a powder keg of potential development in Clark County. We need to support that.”

However, he added that the county also needs to support local, existing businesses. A business focus also extends to how he would like to see Clark County operate.

“The county needs to be run like a business,” Latham said.

While he said he appreciates the level of interest the current county council has shown in examining the county’s contributions to the Public Employee Retirement Fund and how it is tracking appropriations, changes need to be made on the council.

“These are problems that could’ve been avoided if they had been foreseen,” Latham said, referring to hardships in previous years. “It’s going to take a different brand of leadership and some fresh ideas.”

He said he is the candidate that can offer that leadership.

“I’m the candidate for a smaller, more economically interactive government,” Latham said.

Ryan Lynch, 23, is a machine operator with Accent Marketing who said he decided to run for one of the open council seats because he wants a brighter future for Clark County. He said something that sets him apart from his opponents, and gives him an advantage, is his age.

“I’m young,” he said. “I could be a very good asset to the county because of that.”

Lynch explained that he has no ties in Clark County government and would be able to offer new and fresh ideas. But he will not be relying on an original idea to ensure the county is able to cover its expenses, but “by being as conservative as possible,” he said.

“Wasteful spending is a major issue,” Lynch said. “Cutting back on whatever we can; if we can cut back our costs, we’ll be able to stay within budget.”

He added it is an issue that needs to be fixed as quickly as possible.

To offer continued monitoring of the way in which the council is spending money, Lynch said he would like to see all appropriations made available to the public.

“I like the idea of on the county website, having all of the expenses; put on the website what money is being spent on,” he said. “We can’t do our jobs unless we hear from the people in the county.”

Lynch added that in addition to an open line of communication with the county’s residents, there needs to be improved communication with all of the county’s departments.

“One of the problems in the county is relationships,” he said.

Lynch said he would work to improve those relationships, but added that the council has been on the right track in monitoring the county’s spending.

Candidates Adam Hutchinson and Mac McIntosh did not return questionnaires to the News and Tribune and did not return multiple phone calls seeking an interview for this preview.

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ELECTION 2012: 6 vie for 3 Clark GOP council spots

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