May 20, 2020 at 4:25 p.m.
Daniels, Hopkins in race for Jay surveyor
One candidate is seeking his seventh term in office. The other is hoping to shift from the police force to elected office.
Jay County surveyor Brad Daniels is facing a challenge this year from Portland police officer Jeff Hopkins in the Republican primary.
No Democrats filed to run for surveyor, though the party could fill the spot on the ticket after the primary.
Daniels, a Portland resident, has served as Jay County surveyor since 1997 after defeating Democrat Fred Jetter in the 1996 race to replace longtime surveyor Richard Davidson. A 1979 Jay County High School graduate, he earned a degree in business administration from Cumberland College in 1984. He has also served on Jay County Plan Commission, Jay County Personnel Committee and the Portland flood committee.
Hopkins, rural Portland, is president and CEO of Hopkins Global LLC and works as an investigator for Portland Police Department. A 2003 Winchester High School graduate, he is running for surveyor after placing third in a three-way Republican primary race for county coroner in 2016.
The candidates were asked to respond to a questionnaire from The Commercial Review. Their answers follow.
••••••••••
Why is the Jay County Surveyor important?
Daniels: The surveyor’s office is responsible for maintaining the 1,177 miles of legal drains in the county. These drains are vital to the flooding issues in the county. Our county is unique in the State of Indiana in that we have our own equipment and employees to do the maintenance on the legal drains. This allows us to reduce the cost of the work and to be more responsive to emegency situations.
We also maintain cornerstone records that are used to run surveys in describing parcels of land. We are responsible for reviewing all drainage plans for new commercial construction.
Hopkins: Your county surveyor is there to serve as your advocate protecting your property and well-being. The duties of your county surveyor are many, but a large focus of what they do is meant to reduce flooding, while maintaining clean water in our lakes, ponds, regulated drains, rivers, streams and wetlands.
••••••••••
What would you do to make the surveyor’s office work effectively?
Daniels: I feel that our office is highly effective and responsive to the needs of our county. Our 11 employees have a collective 189 years experience working for the Jay County Surveyor’s Office. They have extensive knowledge of the drainage system and a great relationship with the citizens they serve. I am blessed to have the team I do. We strive to do our best and have worked in the last three years to update the cornerstones through use of GPS technology. We have spent $39,000 to begin that process. We also update the equipment to reduce time and repair costs.
Hopkins: I would listen to all of the citizens of Jay County and address their concerns immediately and effectively while keeping infrastructure projects on budget. Since the funding for infrastructure projects comes directly from taxpayers, I will urge our county commissioners and county council to allocate the funds for these projects from the monies the county receives from the wind farms. The monies should be allocated to build and repair the infrastructure for future generations.
••••••••••
What makes you the best candidate for the position?
Daniels: Experience and passion. Prior to serving as surveyor, I worked for the surveyor’s office repairing tiles and handling other duties. This gave me a background into what this office does. As surveyor, I have gained vast knowledge of our drainage system and cornerstone records. This has allowed me to serve the citizens of Jay County effectively. I care about our landowners and try to help each one as if they were my neighbor. Serving others has been a mission in my life that I hope to continue with your support.
Hopkins: I am pursuing a degree in civil engineering and, if elected, I will work diligently for all of the citizens of Jay County to ensure that their voices and concerns are handled with the integrity and respect in which they deserve.
Jay County surveyor Brad Daniels is facing a challenge this year from Portland police officer Jeff Hopkins in the Republican primary.
No Democrats filed to run for surveyor, though the party could fill the spot on the ticket after the primary.
Daniels, a Portland resident, has served as Jay County surveyor since 1997 after defeating Democrat Fred Jetter in the 1996 race to replace longtime surveyor Richard Davidson. A 1979 Jay County High School graduate, he earned a degree in business administration from Cumberland College in 1984. He has also served on Jay County Plan Commission, Jay County Personnel Committee and the Portland flood committee.
Hopkins, rural Portland, is president and CEO of Hopkins Global LLC and works as an investigator for Portland Police Department. A 2003 Winchester High School graduate, he is running for surveyor after placing third in a three-way Republican primary race for county coroner in 2016.
The candidates were asked to respond to a questionnaire from The Commercial Review. Their answers follow.
••••••••••
Why is the Jay County Surveyor important?
Daniels: The surveyor’s office is responsible for maintaining the 1,177 miles of legal drains in the county. These drains are vital to the flooding issues in the county. Our county is unique in the State of Indiana in that we have our own equipment and employees to do the maintenance on the legal drains. This allows us to reduce the cost of the work and to be more responsive to emegency situations.
We also maintain cornerstone records that are used to run surveys in describing parcels of land. We are responsible for reviewing all drainage plans for new commercial construction.
Hopkins: Your county surveyor is there to serve as your advocate protecting your property and well-being. The duties of your county surveyor are many, but a large focus of what they do is meant to reduce flooding, while maintaining clean water in our lakes, ponds, regulated drains, rivers, streams and wetlands.
••••••••••
What would you do to make the surveyor’s office work effectively?
Daniels: I feel that our office is highly effective and responsive to the needs of our county. Our 11 employees have a collective 189 years experience working for the Jay County Surveyor’s Office. They have extensive knowledge of the drainage system and a great relationship with the citizens they serve. I am blessed to have the team I do. We strive to do our best and have worked in the last three years to update the cornerstones through use of GPS technology. We have spent $39,000 to begin that process. We also update the equipment to reduce time and repair costs.
Hopkins: I would listen to all of the citizens of Jay County and address their concerns immediately and effectively while keeping infrastructure projects on budget. Since the funding for infrastructure projects comes directly from taxpayers, I will urge our county commissioners and county council to allocate the funds for these projects from the monies the county receives from the wind farms. The monies should be allocated to build and repair the infrastructure for future generations.
••••••••••
What makes you the best candidate for the position?
Daniels: Experience and passion. Prior to serving as surveyor, I worked for the surveyor’s office repairing tiles and handling other duties. This gave me a background into what this office does. As surveyor, I have gained vast knowledge of our drainage system and cornerstone records. This has allowed me to serve the citizens of Jay County effectively. I care about our landowners and try to help each one as if they were my neighbor. Serving others has been a mission in my life that I hope to continue with your support.
Hopkins: I am pursuing a degree in civil engineering and, if elected, I will work diligently for all of the citizens of Jay County to ensure that their voices and concerns are handled with the integrity and respect in which they deserve.
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD