July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Schemenaur says he has new solutions (10/15/2008)
By By JACK RONALD-
Andy Schemenaur says times are tough and people are looking for leadership.
"People are looking for solutions," said Schemenaur, Democratic challenger for state representative in District 33, in an interview this week. "It's about families that are starting to feel the stress of a very complicated economy. ... Their way of life is threatened and they're asking, 'How can you stabilize what's coming down the road?' ... They're looking for someone to give them a voice."
Schemenaur, 54, is principal of East Elementary School and farms south of Bellefountain. A 16-year member of the Jay County Council, he is also active at Bellefountain United Methodist Church, where he teaches Sunday school.
He and his wife, Pam, have two children and one grandchild. He graduated from Portland High School and received both his bachelor's and his master's degrees from Ball State University.
If elected, Schemenaur would take a leave of absence from his duties as principal while the Indiana General Assembly is in session.
Schemenaur said property tax reforms in the last session were a bipartisan product, but that some "tweaking" is still needed.
He opposes the idea of making caps on property taxes a part of the Indiana State Constitution.
"I'm not ready for that," Schemenaur said. "I think it's still a work in progress. ... We're going to have to make sure we don't overlook something."
Shifting the burden of financing government to the sales tax gives Schemenaur some concern. "I'm worried about the economy," he said. "What if the economy tanks?"
He later added, "We can't balance our budget on the backs of those who can least afford it. ... I want to make sure there are some safety nets."
Property taxes will probably continue to be necessary, Schemenaur indicated.
"I'm proud to pay my taxes," he said. "When you pay your taxes, it's kind of the cost of civilization. ... Maybe it's old school, but I don't mind. ... I'd like to be able to keep taxes low as well."
He gives the current Republican administration a grade of C-plus.
"For the people in the neighborhoods, I'd give him that," Schemenaur said.
Proposals to revamp and streamline local government drew a skeptical response. Though he said he has not studied the recommendations of the Kernan-Shepard Commission, he's uncomfortable with the idea of having a single county executive.
"That bothers me to some degree," he said. "I think the further we remove power from the voters we run the risk of disenfrachisement."
Targeting Davis and his support for the Daniels administration, he added, "The people here in Jay County have been a little bit left out of the decision-making process. ... I'm for home rule. I think that's very important."
Like Davis, he too was critical of the tone of the current campaign.
"It hurts," Schemenaur said. "My inner nature is pretty passive. ... Is (the campaign) kind of testy? Yes, it kind of is. ... As the challenger I still would have to point out the record."[[In-content Ad]]
"People are looking for solutions," said Schemenaur, Democratic challenger for state representative in District 33, in an interview this week. "It's about families that are starting to feel the stress of a very complicated economy. ... Their way of life is threatened and they're asking, 'How can you stabilize what's coming down the road?' ... They're looking for someone to give them a voice."
Schemenaur, 54, is principal of East Elementary School and farms south of Bellefountain. A 16-year member of the Jay County Council, he is also active at Bellefountain United Methodist Church, where he teaches Sunday school.
He and his wife, Pam, have two children and one grandchild. He graduated from Portland High School and received both his bachelor's and his master's degrees from Ball State University.
If elected, Schemenaur would take a leave of absence from his duties as principal while the Indiana General Assembly is in session.
Schemenaur said property tax reforms in the last session were a bipartisan product, but that some "tweaking" is still needed.
He opposes the idea of making caps on property taxes a part of the Indiana State Constitution.
"I'm not ready for that," Schemenaur said. "I think it's still a work in progress. ... We're going to have to make sure we don't overlook something."
Shifting the burden of financing government to the sales tax gives Schemenaur some concern. "I'm worried about the economy," he said. "What if the economy tanks?"
He later added, "We can't balance our budget on the backs of those who can least afford it. ... I want to make sure there are some safety nets."
Property taxes will probably continue to be necessary, Schemenaur indicated.
"I'm proud to pay my taxes," he said. "When you pay your taxes, it's kind of the cost of civilization. ... Maybe it's old school, but I don't mind. ... I'd like to be able to keep taxes low as well."
He gives the current Republican administration a grade of C-plus.
"For the people in the neighborhoods, I'd give him that," Schemenaur said.
Proposals to revamp and streamline local government drew a skeptical response. Though he said he has not studied the recommendations of the Kernan-Shepard Commission, he's uncomfortable with the idea of having a single county executive.
"That bothers me to some degree," he said. "I think the further we remove power from the voters we run the risk of disenfrachisement."
Targeting Davis and his support for the Daniels administration, he added, "The people here in Jay County have been a little bit left out of the decision-making process. ... I'm for home rule. I think that's very important."
Like Davis, he too was critical of the tone of the current campaign.
"It hurts," Schemenaur said. "My inner nature is pretty passive. ... Is (the campaign) kind of testy? Yes, it kind of is. ... As the challenger I still would have to point out the record."[[In-content Ad]]
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