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.
Linda L. Berger
• POLITICAL PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
• AGE: 68
• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Graduate New Albany High School
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: FLOYD COUNTY RECORDER 2001-2008, BACKGROUND IN ACCOUNTING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
• FAMILY NOTES: MARRIED TO BOB BERGER; 3 SONS AND 6 GRANDCHILDREN
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “To fulfill my desire to see floyd county advance to the 21st century. Having served 7 plus years in the recorders office, I have brought 22 years of records to the computer and will go on-line in the next few weeks.”
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THIS POSITION AND WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO RESOLVE IT?“The issues facing the treasurer's office are to continue the service to the public and to enhance the opportunities for improved tax collection and information for the tax payers. I plan to work with the county council to get tax bills and payments on-line. Service to the public will be my number one priority.”
WHAT UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION WILL YOU MAKE TO LOCAL OFFICE? “I have the experience of working to get information on-line and availabile to the public. I have proven that I can work well with the other office holders and the county council. I have an established reputation of outstanding service to my office and to the community.”
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No.”
Bette Buechler
• POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democrat
• AGE: 56
• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Borden High School, National Honor Society; Spencerian Business College, Administrative Accounting and Business Management
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: I have served as the First Deputy Treasurer for the past 18 years.
• FAMILY NOTES: I have been married to my husband, Larry, for 37 years. We have two daughters, two son-in-laws, and five grandchildren. We live in the house built by his great-grandfather, Jacob Poff, on a farm that has been in his family for over 100 years.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR THIS OFFICE? “I have chosen to run for this office because the current Treasurer has served her two-term limit, and I have been the First Deputy Treasurer for the past 18 years. Our office has an excellent record. I love my job, and decided this was a good time to take on this challenge. My experience will go a long way toward avoiding problems before they occur.”
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING THIS POSITION AND WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO RESOLVE IT? “The property assessment cycle is undergoing major changes causing delays in billing, budgeting challenges, and confusion among taxpayers. I am not sure when the normal due dates of May 10th and November 10th are going to return, but until they do, our whole county fiscal management process is disrupted. I believe there are too many property owners who do not understand the property tax cycle. I plan to use my knowledge in this office to reach out to the community in regards to more education about property taxes and the changes that are occurring. I look forward to speaking to groups and organizations, as well as the media. I think a better understanding will help eliminate some of the problems and frustrations that occur. I also plan to work diligently with our county council and other officeholders to see about getting our database online. The Treasurer’s Office does not have additional office funds to work with as some other offices do, but I believe getting our data online is way overdue. I hope to see what we can do to get this done in a fiscally responsible manner.”
WHAT UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION WILL YOU MAKE TO LOCAL OFFICE? “I bring to this office extensive skills and abilities in bookkeeping, data processing, data management, and cashiering. Balancing our revenues with the auditor in a timely manner is critical to the running of our county, and I have been doing this type of work all of my adult life. I also bring to this office a strong background in customer service. It is important to me that ours is an office known to be courteous, professional, helpful, and knowledgeable in every way.”
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A NON-TRAFFIC COURT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL RELEVANT INSTANCES. “No.”
