The Republican primary contest for South District Porter County Commissioner pits a long-time county office holder with a long-time precinct committeeman.

Jim Murphy and Andy Vasquez are vying to win their party’s nomination for commissioner. The winner will face Democrat incumbent Carole Knoblock in November.

Though the commissioners must live in their respective districts, they are voted on countywide. The post of commissioner currently pays $34,411, with the president making about $4,000 more. The commissioners are responsible for a wide variety of matters affecting county government, including supervision of certain departments, rezonings, maintenance of county buildings and roads, and board appointments.

Murphy, who now serves as Porter County Treasurer, previously served as county auditor as well as treasurer. He also was on the county council. Vasquez is an organic farmer from Morgan Township who serves as a Republican precinct committeeman and who coordinates the Farmers Market in downtown Valparaiso.

The candidates were asked to respond to the following questionnaire. Their answers are printed as they were submitted unless they were shortened to meet a 100 word limit.

1. If elected Porter County Commissioner, what would be your top priorities?

Murphy: “Porter County must begin to change the operation of county government from one that is reactionary to one that is based on comprehensive planning. We must implement a planning effort to facilitate smart growth in the county and especially in the areas bordering the cities and town. The county should partner with the cities and towns in their economic development efforts. Studies should be updated on county roads which have become arterial in use. Improvements to roads, especially 100 South and 700 North should be funded with Major Moves interest and matching federal funds.”

Vasquez: “Planned growth as to how it will impact our infrastructure to the existing communities. We had a county plan some years ago that has basically not been followed. We have built a school on what can be considered a wet land area and have put subdivisions in, not giving (it seems) much thought to the impact on the local school corporation.”

2. What is your position on the recommendation by the Indiana Commission on Local Government Reform to replace the three county commissioners with one county executive?          

Murphy: “To reduce the number of commissioners from three to one county executive will require a careful analysis of the official responsibilities of the commissioners and the council to which these responsibilities will devolve. I can embrace the plan as long as it is in conformity with the Commission’s core principle, that it will make local government simpler, more understandable and more responsive.”

Vasquez: “While the idea has merit, I do have concerns. What savings will there be if we pay one person $90,000 a year as opposed to three $30,000? The idea of having that individual "appoint" other normally elected positions takes government away from the people. Last time I checked we are a government of the people by the people and for the people.”

  3. What should be done with the proceeds of the sale of Porter Memorial Hospital?

Murphy: “The Commissioners and Council should safeguard the earning power of the Hospital Proceeds so that it truly becomes a legacy for Porter County residents. The interest earned should be used for specific projects, but neither the proceeds nor the interest should be spent on operational costs of government.”

Vasquez: “How is it that growth is expected in this county yet we at present only have 1 1/4 hospital?  We are now trying to build 2 hospitals 2 miles from each other?  We have Portage our largest city with what at best can be described as a large clinic and not a hospital. ‘Should the County be in the hospital business?’ was a question put to me just the other day. Our obligation to our citizens to insure their health and safety is of our utmost concern. We should reinvest the money into the existing Portage site to make it a truly functional hospital.”

4. Porter County’s taxing units are projected to lose an overall $9.6 million in 2010 due to the state’s new tax caps. How should local government respond to the revenue loss at a time when the county’s growth is placing more demands on police, jail, courts, and other services?

Murphy: “When Bethlehem Steel filed bankruptcy and was unable to pay property taxes, several of the units of government, the county included, had to find a way to function with a lot less revenue. We all thought it would be impossible and that we would have to shut down government. But we all found ways to get it done and work through that crisis. Perhaps we can use that experience as a model to deal with tax caps. Maybe it’s a good thing to be forced to re-examine every line item and find surpluses from time to time.”

Vasquez: “Impact fees for new building ... As with growth it will take a year before any monies will be realized from the new structures. No one wants more taxes and truly that should be a LAST RESORT. We could combine the buying power of local governments for essentials ... It will also help to have those elected ... do the job we were elected to do and not pay an outside source to get the job done. The most important resource we have is our citizens who may have an idea that we as elected officials should listen to. It will take ALL of us to get the job done.”

5. What area of county government is in need of more attention, and what would you do to make the needed adjustments?

Murphy: “Porter County has not certified assessed values to the state timely for several years and neither has it been able to issue tax bills on a regular schedule. That is unacceptable. The taxpayers need stability in order to budget their tax payments. The taxing units need cash flow. The recently purchased software must be brought online and training started to get this process back in line with state requirements. A comprehensive human resources effort is long overdue. We should either contract this service or hire an in house professional.”

Vasquez: “At present we are seen as a county that is a very desirable place to live and we as a county have worked hard to do just that.  However with that being said we have a growing drug problem that must be addressed. The interest from the sale of the hospital (roughly 6 million) could be used to help law enforcement combat this problem. Our law enforcement units should not be asked to do their jobs with one hand tied behind their backs.”

Posted 4/24/2008