Four vie for GOP nomination

Three seats. Four candidates.

Jay County Republicans will narrow their list of hopefuls for Jay County Council by one when they go to the polls June 2.

Council seats are at-large, meaning the top three vote-getters in the Republican primary amongst the field of incumbents Jeanne Houchins and Cindy Newton, Jay County Plan Commission member Matt Minnich and former Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton will advance to the general election.

Only two Democrats filed to run for council, meaning both Judy Aker and Josh Gibson will advance.

Houchins, a rural Bryant resident, serves as council president and is seeking her third term in office. A graduate of Greenbrier West High School in West Virginia, she is manager of Progressive Office Products in Portland and has also served on the Jay County Solid Waste Management District and Jay County Development Corporation boards.

Cindy Newton, rural Portland, is also seeking her third term on county council. She graduated from Jay County High School in 1991 and Amber’s Beauty School in 1995 and is a self-employed daycare provider.

Minnich, a rural Portland resident, is making his first run for office after serving four years on Jay County Plan Commission and two years on the county’s roads committee. Currently the operations manager at Minnich Poultry, he graduated from Jay County High School in 2003 and Tri-State University in 2007 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Ray Newton, Cindy’s husband, served as Jay County Sheriff from 2007 through 2014 and is currently a police officer at IU Health Jay. He graduated from Jay County High School in 1981, Ivy Tech Community College in 1990 and Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1991.

The candidates were asked to respond to a questionnaire from The Commercial Review. Their answers follow.

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What role should Jay County Council play in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent reopening/recovery?

Houchins: Jay County Council’s immediate role in this pandemic is to ensure that the funds needed to weather this are in place. Council has met and approved a request from the auditor to use our rainy day fund for payment of our employees. I am pleased with how the commissioners have handled this and that the employees are following the guidelines. As for our recovery, no one is sure what we will have to deal with in the budget process. We as a board are prepared to make tough decisions. We need to be preparing now for the future.

Minnich: Jay County Council should be monitoring the county’s financial situation as revenue is likely to fall during the pandemic. Essential services should be maintained, and cuts where possible will need to be addressed. Council should be focused on ensuring the safety of county employees during work and be promoting responsible behavior by employees and citizens of the county. The re-opening of businesses will likely lead to more cases of COVID-19, but our local businesses deserve an opportunity to flourish. Responsible actions by all during this time will help ensure a manageable number of cases for our area hospitals.

C. Newton: The council’s main role should be to ensure that funding is available for overtime pay and for any protective equipment needed for our county employees to ensure their safety while working. The council should also be working alongside the auditor to help receive any funding available from state and federal governments related to the pandemic.

R. Newton: The council should make sure that funding is available to purchase supplies and equipment to protect our employees from the pandemic.

I hope by working with the State of Indiana and the federal government that emergency funding will be granted for the costs related to the pandemic.

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What is the most important issue facing county council and what, specifically, would you do to address it?

Houchins: I feel the most pressing item right now would be maintaining our current tax rate. We need to be vigilant with our money while making sure all departments needs are met and they operate efficiently. There are constant changes mandated by the state that can have a negative impact on how we can spend our money and can, as in the past, have a very negative effect on our budget.

Minnich: I believe we need to make sure Jay County is strong financially. The county has many financial obligations, and those need to be continually balanced between need and want. I think it’s important to make sure the resources of the county are being used for things that do, in fact, support and improve our county and its citizens. One opportunity I see on the horizon is the new wind farm tax dollars. I would like to see the additional revenue saved and grown for future investment in the county, primarily for improvement projects, and not a rainy day fund.

C. Newton: The most important issue facing the council is always the budget — not just the 2021 budget but the future budgets as well, especially with the uncertainty of the times we are facing. It is the council’s duty to make certain that all department heads operate within their budgets. This could be a time in history when we experience shortfalls and the council will need to restrict all funds related to new purchases of equipment and supplies, with the exception of items needed for the pandemic. 

R. Newton: The budget for 2021 should be considered the most important issue. With shortfalls in tax revenue each year, the county is facing less revenue to operate. The council should ensure that departments operate within their means and not go over their budgets.

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Jay County Council has faced, or expects to face, questions about funding for courthouse security, sewers, Jay County Retirement Center, school security, animal control and local not-for-profit organizations. How would you prioritize and make decisions about such spending?

Houchins: School security was high on my priority list and I am pleased with what has been accomplished. Next would be courthouse security, which is being addressed and should be completed soon. Animal control has been and is an issue, but a task force was formed, and their recommendations will be presented to council when completed. Jay County Retirement Center and Jay County Regional Sewer District are essential. The same goes for any non-profit organization. All are needed and are important to make this county work smoothly and efficiently. Whenever possible, we need to work with these organizations.

Minnich: To answer this question honestly, I believe that more information would be needed. It is easy for me to say what council should do, but harder when you’re on the council and all the facts are staring you in the face. I think all programs need to be weighed on need and whether they can effectively serve our community. I believe my work experience in the private sector lends itself well to making those distinctions, and finding the best opportunities to serve everyone in Jay County.

C. Newton: I feel it is in Jay County’s best interest to fund all these entities, but being realistic, the council’s main priority should be the departments that are funded by the general fund. Due to the possibility of less revenue coming into those departments, there may need to be adjustments made in their budgets. I will continue to support all not-for-profit organizations, animal control, etc., for the betterment of Jay County, but funding may have to be reduced during this unprecedented time, if funds are not available. We will get through this together. Jay together.

R. Newton: County departments that operate under the general fund should be the main priority. I believe that each department should operate within their budget and no additional appropriations should be approved by the council, unless it is an emergency. I do support the not-for-profit organizations that receive funding from the county. With the difficult times ahead for the county, and less revenue being projected in the future, funding may have to be reduced.

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Why should residents of Jay County vote for you?

Houchins: I have the experience to do the job. I am dedicated to doing what I feel is best for all the residents of our county. I am willing to work hard at what ever challenges we might face in the future.

Minnich: The residents of Jay County should vote for me because I have them in mind when making decisions. I have four young kids that I want to stay in Jay County when they grow up, just like I did. To do this, we need to be an attractive place to dine, shop, work and live. I’m relatively young in comparison to others working in our county government, and I think that gives me a unique perspective when making decisions. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the residents of Jay County.

C. Newton: It has been an honor to serve on the Jay County Council. If re-elected to the Jay County Council at-large, I will continue to be a voice for all taxpayers of Jay County. I will ensure that all departments operate within their budget and will work with them to prevent wasteful spending. I will always be an advocate for the employees of Jay County, as they are our biggest assets.

R. Newton: Being a former elected official I know how important the county council is. While sheriff, I had the knowledge of how county government operates and the importance of the general fund. If elected to the Jay County Council at-large, I will bring the same experience and pride I had while sheriff. I will proudly serve the citizens of Jay County.