Two face off for spot on JC Council (11/03/06)

A Portland police officer finishing up his first term will face a long-time political and community activist making his first bid for public office in the race for the District 3 seat on the Jay County Council.

Republican Judson Todd Wickey, 416 N. Pleasant St., Portland, will face Democratic challenger Fredric L. Bailey, 108 Green Park Drive, Portland, in Tuesday's election.

The seat represents Wayne 1, 2, 3 and 7 precincts within the city of Portland.

Wickey, a 1981 graduate of South Adams High School, is also a graduate of the Indiana Police Academy.

A member of the Portland Police Department since 1994, Wickey won the District 3 council seat in 2002.

He and wife Nichole have two children.

Wickey is a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, as well as Portland Elks Lodge; Jay County Development Corporation board of directors; and Jay County Community Corrections board.

Bailey, who served as chairman of the Jay County Democratic Party for 18 years, has never sought public office. A 1953 graduate of Portland High School, he also earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Arkansas in agriculture extension and food science. He also served as a military policeman with the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1958.

Bailey retired after 23 years as director of quality control for Naas Foods Inc., and has farmed for 36 years.

He and wife Elizabeth have four sons and 10 grandchildren.

A co-founder of Jay County Habitat for Humanity, Bailey is also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Other affiliations include Portland post of the American Legion; membership on the board of the Jay County Historical Society; serving as director of the Jay County Boys Club; and coaching Portland Junior League baseball.

The candidates recently responded to questions presented by The Commercial Review. Here are their responses:

Why are you running for county council? What makes you qualified for the position?

Wickey - "To serve the citizens and employees of Jay County. I have been in public service for 20-plus years. I have submitted and managed a governmental budget for eight of those years."

Bailey - "I have been heavily involved with several organizations for the betterment of Portland and Jay County in mind. County government will be a new venture. I have been attending monthly council meetings to become familiar with their formality. As former Democratic county chairman, I sought individuals to serve township and county office positions. It will be a pleasure to serve Portland residents as their representative."

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What do you believe to be the most pressing issue before the council now? What is your position on that issue?

Wickey - "Maintaining proper expenditures of the landfill host fees & how they are spent. I feel this money should be used for capital improvements and purchases of property for future expansions.

Proper management of county fund expenditures.

Proper administration of tax abatements. I feel that tax abatements should only be granted if the abatement facilitates more than one full-time job."

Bailey - "Economic development issues of CFOs, TIF and tax abatement seem to be on the front burner. The governor wants to double the pork production in Indiana in the next four to five years. This can cause excess odors in given areas and manure disposal problems. The odor is not so bad if you own the hog.

Tax abatement has worked very well to the entire county through a delayed taxing schedule, benefiting the industries to obtain new equipment and increase employment.

TIF is beneficial for a given area. Like tax abatement, it is based on new money not previously on the tax rolls. At present I am not aware of any taxing amount or timetable to exit the projects."

Briefly describe what you see as the role of the County Council.

Wickey - "The Jay County Council is responsible for expenditures to tax & non-tax funds of the Jay County governmental departments.

The Jay County Council is responsible for the adoption of an annual budget.

The Jay County Council is also responsible for the transfer of funds within the budget and the approval of any additional appropriations to said budget."

Bailey - "The county council is the financial advisor for the county, and departments submit their budgets (wish list) each year. It is the council's responsibility to trim the fat and yet see that sound county funding is met. The final figures are scrutinized by the state and given the final tax rate."

If there is one thing you want to make sure the voters know about you or the office you are seeking, what would that be?

Wickey - "I want the voters of Jay County to know that I am dedicated to serving them. I have been in public service for more than 20 years. I am ethical, professional, and honest. I always listen to any complaints, requests or questions and my door is always open. I have served the citizens of Jay County for the last four years and I am looking forward to continue my service for another term. I am a family man and I make family decisions with family values in mind. I look at issues from a long-term point of view. I don't agree in making short-term quick fix decisions. Those decisions only cost more in the long run. I plan for the long haul so our children don't have to pay for mistakes made today. I would appreciate your vote on Nov. 7."

Bailey - "I believe the voters of a district or county-wide election should be given a choice. A viable two-party system is a step toward good accountable government. I have walked the four precincts (Wayne 1, 2, 3 and 7) and have been well-received. I will serve likewise. The next step is up to the voters. Get out and vote. With a 40 percent turnout, that means 60 percent do not care and shouldn't complain.[[In-content Ad]]