Editor’s Note: Submissions appear as the candidates submitted them without editing.Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Except where noted, questionnaires are only being published for contested races.

Jeff Fessel

• AGE: 46

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: 1980 Floyd Central and Prosser graduate

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: I am currently an employee of Ford Motor Company. I previously worked at FireKing International and Gibsons Market. I also served as the Fourth District County Councilman from 2003-07.

• FAMILY NOTES: I am a lifelong resident of Galena. My parents are the late Coen and Beatrice Fessel. I have two brothers, Doug and C.J. and my sister, Joyce Shultz.

1) Why are you running for this office?

“I believe I would be a good representative for the people of Floyd County. I served in this office previously. I am a lifelong resident of Floyd County, and I care about what happens to it.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“I believe a new jail is the most important issue facing Floyd County. I would like to see a committee formed to find a piece of land or a vacant building for the project. If we can make this purchase now, we can prevent the state from rushing us into a more costly option.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“I served previously as a councilman. I served as Vice President of the Council for two years, was on the Planning Commission for one and a half years, and served four years on the River Hills Economic Development. During my four years as a councilman I never missed a meeting, and I am very proud of that.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“If an illegal immigrant is stopped or jailed for any reason they should be exported.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“We need new businesses and new homes in Floyd County for our tax base. We must also maintain our roads and rural communities and protect them from overcrowding.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“I need to check, but I believe such a law is aleady on the books, and if not this certainly needs to be addressed. I also believe a fulltime code enforcement officer should be hired. This could prevent problems from escalating.”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“The roads are striped with reflective paint. This should be replaced at shorter intervals. I also believe that some of the busier intersections should have lighting.”

Ted Heavrin

• AGE: 67

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: High School. Numerous courses associated with law enforcement. Two year credit toward associates degree.

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Military service, four years. 173rd Airborne Okinawa and Vietnam. Floyd County Police Department, twice voted Officer of the Year.

• FAMILY NOTES: Three children, Dana, Nicole and Sam.

1) Why are you running for this office?

“I am running for this office because of what the State is doing in our communities, counties and cities on the property tax and other issues. My experience on the County Council in dealing with budgets and other items of interest in Floyd County will be invaluable.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“The State is forcing counties like Floyd to help maintain the taxes they are cutting. In my position, I will study every avenue with a goal toward keeping taxes low.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“Knowing the office holders and with knowledge of how the budget works, I can be instrumental in working with my fellow office holders so that citizens of Floyd County can be served properly without additional taxes being levied.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“Absolutely not.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“Local government should work in conjunction with the federal government in controlling illegal immigration. Illegals should go through proper channels to be in the United States legally and should work and pay taxes.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“Yes. Doing things to improve living conditions for the community. When money runs low progress will be slowed down until funds become available.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“Even in unincorporated subdivisions there are common sense laws that people should follow and should know where a firearm cannot be safely discharged. Any person firing a weapon that results in injury or death to another person , or that results in damage to property, can be held criminally liable for their actions. Yes, I will support laws governing this issue.”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“I will work with the Commissioners in charge of the county garage and road maintenance to improve lighting conditions, by reflective paint and markers, in addition to ensuring that our roadways are repaired and kept up to safe standards.”

Thomas Lenfert

• AGE: 53

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Twelve - grades. Two - vocational, Prosser, Horticulture

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Local business owner for over 30 years.

• FAMILY NOTES: Wife, Lisa Elliott Lenfert; one son, Troy, 15 years old at Floyd Central High School.

1) Why are you running for this office?

“It would be nice to see where the money is spend in the County. And if some can be put more to less to some other areas.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“How to spend money as needed. Being a business man in the County for over 30 years. I might be able to help spend it in a different way than they are doing now.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“I will do my best. So all will be fair in all decisions I make.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“None - never a ticket of anything in my life.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“I think if they are here illegaly they should be send back. It’s not fair to the ones, who is here to work. It’s not fair to our local kids, who are trying to work full or part time.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“I do, I am a go getter. This county has to progress or the taxes will run you out of this county. We have to have businesses or else this city will be a ghost town. People who wants this county not to change, we have to move ahead to make progress.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“There is no law in the county to stop this, I would ask the law enforcement for the county. To try to change the law, so nobody would get shot. This decision wouldn’t be up to the county council. I know what you’re asking, I have the same thing in my area to!”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“As a council person I would ask the commissioners to take charge in their area’s to do something, if they have the money to do it. Its their responiblies to have this done. This is not the county council responiblies.”

Carol Shope

• AGE: 64

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: West Carrollton High School; B.S. Education, Miami University of Ohio; Winterthur Research Institute, Wilmington, Delaware; Museum of Southern Decorative Arts, University of North Carolina

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: County Council-At-Large - present member; New Albany City Board of Zoning Appeals Chairperson; New Albany Plan Commission; English teacher.

• FAMILY NOTES: Terry, my husband of 41 years and I are working together on this campaign. Our two daughters, Lisa and Cinnamone are also helping.

1) Why are you running for this office?

“Because I’ve served for four years and have developed a better understanding of government at the local level; I have more experience for serving the next four years. Being a woman candidate on the ballot offers a different perspective. Some people find me outspoken, truthful and forthright.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“Taxes are probably the most important issue facing the County Council. At this time I believe we should leave them alone and see what the State mandates.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“Being a Mother, wife and an active volunteer in the community has allowed me to see many people and understand the needs of Floyd County on different levels. Community involvement includes New Albany Business and Professional Women Organization past president, Rotary International - past president, Floyd County Youth Shelter - past president, Leader Southern Indiana - 1996 in addition to many more.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“Immigration reform begins at the top, a federal issue. However, at the local level we should offer English classes. We should encourage immigrants to learn English. Schools, churches, and volunteer groups should help resolve this issue so they can become more integrated into society.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“Yes, I consider myself a progressive, looking forward to the future. People need to develop a vision for their community. Infrastructure, an industrial park in the county while retaining the rural atmosphere and developing community cohesions are vital to our well being.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“I believe it should be illegal to discharge a firearm with in a certain distance of a home. If necessary, we need a law that gives our law enforcement permission to prevent accidents from happening in the community.”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“Floyd county taxpayers are deserving of better lit streets with adequate markings. I will work to achieve solving this problem with county officials. Better lighting is a preventative helping to prevent crime. This issue definitely needs to be addressed so motor vehicles and pedestrians can be comfortable and safe as they move about the county.”

Brad C. Striegel

• AGE: 30

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Graduate of Christian Academy of Indiana, Graduate of the First Annual Southern Indiana Police Reserve Academy, and currently completing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Indiana University Southeast.

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Small business owner of a communications company and have effectively managed for over five years. Honored to have volunteered my services in the Floyd County Police Department for over four years as a Police Reserve Officer.

• FAMILY NOTES: Come from a political family. Having been born and raised in Floyd County, I come from a family of five. My Wife and I have been married for over three years.

1) Why are you running for this office?

“I have proven ability and integrity to be fiscally responsible for the taxpayer’s money. I will be fair in appropriations of taxpayer’s money to the various departments of Floyd County to keep the county government functional.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“The most important issue is to have an accountable elected official to achieve the goals of Floyd County that will work collectively with other elected officials.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“I feel that I can apply my professional business and educational background in Political Science to work effectively with other members of the Council. I have volunteered my time and services with the Floyd County Police Department for over four years that allowed me to come in contact with Business Owners, Community Leaders, and the Citizens of Floyd County to better understand the needs and concerns of this community.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“Immigration is not applicable to the Floyd County Council. However immigration needs to be dealt with in a different matter than which it is currently. I believe the United States should not shut the door on immigrates that want citizenship in our Country. However, immigrates must go through the processes established by the Federal Government that grants Citizenship to them.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“I do encourage progress and progress brings about change. Sometimes change is hard to embrace. In this county progress is a way of life. My goal is to help people understand that some progress is beneficial and necessary, and should be dealt with in a conservative matter through budgetary conscience.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“I will work with the legislative branch of the county government, the Commissioners, to redefine our ordinance regarding the discharging of firearms county wide.”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“I concur with these concerns. These concerns rest on the shoulders of the legislative branch of the county government, the Commissioners. I feel that I can work with the County Commissioners to come up with initiatives to address these problems and devise a plan to fund these issues to make our roads and streets safer.”

Randall T. “Randy” Stumler

• AGE: 41

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Mathematics teacher, Trinity High School, Graduated Providence High School, 1985; Bachelor of science, Business/Accounting, Indiana University Southeast, 1994; Bachelor of science, Science Education/Certified Math/Chemistry, Indiana University Southeast, 1999; Master of Education, Curriculum, Indiana Wesleyan University, 2001; Rank I teacher, Certified in Indiana and Kentucky

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Elected to Floyd County Council in 2000, re-elected 2004; Member, St. Mary of the Knobs Church; Member, NAACP, New Albany Branch; Member, Knights of Columbus; Board Member, Greater Louisville Council of Math Teachers

• FAMILY NOTES: Karen Moeller-Stumler, spouse; Children: Nathan, Sarahjane, Henry, Oscar, Bonnie, Mary Anne; Dog: Ethel, black lab mix

1) Why are you running for this office?

“I am running because I believe that public service is important. Taking the step to reach out and help others is a key to a functional community. I believe in giving back to a community that has helped me to be successful. I want to serve the people of this county by making it more livable and vibrant.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“My top priority is maintaining Floyd County as a livable community. Issues such as bike and walking trails need to remain a priority. Long term issues such as planning for proper land use, recycling, and the environment are important for all Floyd Countians.

“The second most important priority is access to government. Technology in the 21st century has allowed us to provide more open government to the people of this county through the internet. The county need to be more user-friendly to our people. We can provide many services and documents online, and this should be incorporated into the routine of current government operations.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to local office?

“All issues must be addressed within the current budget constraints. Many solutions will have to require creative thinking and innovative financing options, such as working with the private sector. I have the experience to help guide the county through uncertain financial times.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

What do you think should be the local role and responsibility in dealing with illegal immigration?

“By definition, illegal immigration is most often addressed by our law enforcement officials. They do not have the power to set policy, but they continue to work with the INS on a case by case basis. Our local law enforcement works to reduce illegal activities, mostly associated with violations of state laws.”

Do you consider yourself a progressive? How would you define progress? What gets left behind in your vision of progress?

“Change will occur whether on not we want it to happen. Hopefully, being progressive means taking the challenges we are facing, weighing the options thoughtfully, and acting toward the greater good. This is how I approach my responsibility to the community.”

We live in the county in an unincorporated subdivision. We have neighbors who target shoot and have even shot a deer while sitting on their deck. There is no law to keep them from doing this as long as the target meets certain standards. Is there anyone willing to stand up for us and make it illegal to discharge a firearm within a certain distance of a home or do we have to wait for someone to be shot?

“Every member of our community has a duty to act within the law, and, beyond that, should act with the utmost sense of personal responsibility. We have a great law enforcement department in this county. They are always willing to speak with the people of this county to help solve and prevent problems. I would certainly hope that this questioner has contacted the Floyd County Police Department at 948-5400 or the Prosecuting Attorney at 948-5422. (Please note that the names of readers on the Reader-Submitted Questions were not disclosed.)”

Many roads and streets throughout the county are poorly lit. Roadway markers are often absent or indiscernible and, overall, our local area is dangerous to travel at night. Streetlights are an expensive remedy, embedded roadway reflectors and/or reflective road paint to indicate lane markings and roadside borders would save lives and reduce property damage at far less cost. What will you do to remedy this problem?

“The county council over the past year has provided the Floyd County Road Department with hundreds of thousands of dollars for road work, and more recently, with thousands of dollars of safety equipment as requested by that department. The council will continue to support the road department as it can, financially, to achieve its mission. Specific projects are directed by the county commissioners. I understand your problem, and know that it is made worse by bad weather. I encourage you to contact the county commissioners about any problem that you may have with the county roads or infrastructure.”

Candidates(s) listed on the ballot that did not submit questionnaires by deadline include: Donald Blevins, Greg A. McCartin and Joe Schindler, all of New Albany.