Conley, Fussle Answer Tea Party Questions
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Conley, Fussle Answer Tea Party Questions
By Daniel [email protected]
Each candidate was given five minutes to introduce themselves then they took turns answering questions from the audience.
Conley spoke first and talked about his family including his wife Sue who he's been married to for 38 years.
After talking about his children, Conley said along with being in his third year as a commissioner he has been a reserve officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department for 35 years.
Conley has been a barber in the community for 41 years and owns shops in both Warsaw and Mentone.
As a commissioner, he is a board member on the Kosciusko County Recycling Depot, the area plan commission, Warsaw Community Development Commission and is a member of the county's technical review committee.
Conley was a 25-year member on the Baker Youth Club's board of directors.
"There is nothing I'd rather do than represent Kosciusko County and the southern part of the county," said Conley.
Fussle spoke second and mentioned that he was one of the co-founders of the Kosciusko County Tea Party.
Fussle is also a member of Warsaw Community Church and a professional pilot living in Warsaw.
"My driving force behind seeking office is my fascination and respect for our founding fathers," said Fussle.
Fussle credited Lowell Owens as a mentor and inspiration to seek office.
Fussle said his campaign focuses on three areas: a smart plan for growth, to diversify the local economy and to improve quality of life.
During the question and answer portion of the forum, Conley and Fussle discussed everything from what a commissioner does, to eminent domain to the condition of the road that runs parallel to Big R.
On a smoking ban, Fussle said he believed there should be a smoking ban for all county properties including around places like hospitals.
Conley said as a commissioner he helped moved smoker stations 25 feet away from entrances to county buildings.
Conley also echoed the sentiments of Ruppel and said businesses should have the right to choose whether they are smoke free or not, stating his barber shops are and will remain smoke free.
One audience member asked why $12 million was spent on the county's western route project without knowing that state would shut it down.
"That happened before I was a commissioner," said Conley. "Once we were told (of the state's decision) we made quick moves to lock the money up so we wouldn't lose it."
Conley said the money will now be used to build roundabouts including one on Fox Farm Road that will start in the spring.
"What I would have liked to have seen done with that money is the resurfacing of roads along the western corridor," said Fussle who pointed to the wear and tear of roads from the hundreds of trucks daily driving from the Louis Dreyfus plant through Warsaw.
One woman asked who was responsible for the road in front of Richard's.
While Fussle said he believed the city owned that road Conley stated it was privately owned and said if it was owned by the city of Warsaw it wouldn't be in the "terrible shape it is".
Conley said he worked as a private citizen to help repair the access road in front of the Elder-Beerman shopping plaza.
Both during his opening remarks and his closing remarks, Fussle defended a comment he made concerning diversifying the county's economic base.
Fussle, referencing a report from BioCrossroads, said that without bringing in a diverse array of businesses and focusing solely on the Orthopedic industry, Warsaw and Kosciusko County could experience hard economic times akin to Detroit and the loss of auto manufacturing.
Conley pulled out the Biocrossroads report when he had the chance to respond.
"This community is not going the way of Detroit. If it does its because of intrusion from the federal government," said Conley. "Warsaw is the best place in the world to be."
"With my job as an airline captain I've had the chance to go and live all over the world," said Fussle. "And I also choose home. Warsaw and Kosciusko County is a great place to live. But if we don't do something soon we will be a Detroit."
Fussle pointed to the health care bill's tax on orthopedic companies as a potential detriment to the county.
Fussle then once again reiterated his campaign goals of a smart plan for growth, diversifying local economy and improving the quality of life.
Besides contrasting on the outlook for the county, Conley made mention that he doesn't seek donations for his campaign while Fussle has a contribute button on his Web site JonFussle.com
Fussle said that he doesn't seek large donations and appreciates any support someone gives him.
Both were asked if they paid taxes and owned property in the county.
Conley said he owns several rental properties and two businesses while Fussle said that he pays county and state taxes as well as owns property in the form of airplanes.
The two will square off in the May 4 primary.[[In-content Ad]]Kosciusko Silent No More hosted State Rep. Bill Ruppel and two county commissioner candidates Tuesday night at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Ruppel spoke to the crowd for about a half hour and took several questions from the audience.
Ruppel confirmed to the audience that Indiana will be part of a lawsuit by several states to block recent healthcare reform in Washington DC.
Ruppel said the state is combing through the entire bill so when it does join a lawsuit all its bases are covered.
Ruppel, a Butler grad, apologized for his hoarse voice after cheering on his alma mater during the men's basketball championship.
"I've been honored and humbled by the people of District 22 and I take the oath of office seriously," said Ruppel.
"I believe in less government regulation, fiscal responsibility and individual freedom and rights. And individual responsibility along with family values and the teachings of God," said Ruppel.
Ruppel also said he was a big advocate of the 10th ammendment.
Ruppel said he believed in term limits for US senators and representatives but said local politicians face term limits every time there is an election.
When asked about a proposed statewide smoking ban, he said businesses should be able to decide whether they will allow smoking by looking at their bottom line.
"If I won a restaurant and it's smoking and all I get in there is a couple of smokers I may want to change," said Ruppel.
He echoed similar sentiments on seat belt laws.
The first question Ruppel received was about September 11.
An audience member asked Ruppel, since he is a part of the homeland security committee for Indiana, what "really happened on 9/11 and how did building 7 fall?"
Ruppel couldn't answer the question directly saying that he's often been stonewalled by the federal governement when it came to looking for answers.
Monica Boyer reminded those in attendance that there will be a Tea Party April 17 at the old Kosciusko County Courthouse's south lawn.
An offshoot of Kosciusko Silent No More, One Nation... Back To God will hold an event
The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Grace College's Rodeheaver Auditorium.
There will also be a pastor's breakfast at 6:30 a.m.
Boyer said the event will cost $1,600 and the group is looking for financial help.
The group will host State Rep. Dave Wolkins and Rebecca Kubacki, who is challenging District 22 State Rep. Rupppel, April 20 at 7 p.m. at the church.
Boyer announced that US senate candidate Richard Behney will be at the Farm Table in Leesburg from 6 to 8 a.m. April 17.
Kosciusko Silent No More can be reached at their new phone number 574-383-9125 or by visiting www.kosciuskosilentnomore.com
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Each candidate was given five minutes to introduce themselves then they took turns answering questions from the audience.
Conley spoke first and talked about his family including his wife Sue who he's been married to for 38 years.
After talking about his children, Conley said along with being in his third year as a commissioner he has been a reserve officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department for 35 years.
Conley has been a barber in the community for 41 years and owns shops in both Warsaw and Mentone.
As a commissioner, he is a board member on the Kosciusko County Recycling Depot, the area plan commission, Warsaw Community Development Commission and is a member of the county's technical review committee.
Conley was a 25-year member on the Baker Youth Club's board of directors.
"There is nothing I'd rather do than represent Kosciusko County and the southern part of the county," said Conley.
Fussle spoke second and mentioned that he was one of the co-founders of the Kosciusko County Tea Party.
Fussle is also a member of Warsaw Community Church and a professional pilot living in Warsaw.
"My driving force behind seeking office is my fascination and respect for our founding fathers," said Fussle.
Fussle credited Lowell Owens as a mentor and inspiration to seek office.
Fussle said his campaign focuses on three areas: a smart plan for growth, to diversify the local economy and to improve quality of life.
During the question and answer portion of the forum, Conley and Fussle discussed everything from what a commissioner does, to eminent domain to the condition of the road that runs parallel to Big R.
On a smoking ban, Fussle said he believed there should be a smoking ban for all county properties including around places like hospitals.
Conley said as a commissioner he helped moved smoker stations 25 feet away from entrances to county buildings.
Conley also echoed the sentiments of Ruppel and said businesses should have the right to choose whether they are smoke free or not, stating his barber shops are and will remain smoke free.
One audience member asked why $12 million was spent on the county's western route project without knowing that state would shut it down.
"That happened before I was a commissioner," said Conley. "Once we were told (of the state's decision) we made quick moves to lock the money up so we wouldn't lose it."
Conley said the money will now be used to build roundabouts including one on Fox Farm Road that will start in the spring.
"What I would have liked to have seen done with that money is the resurfacing of roads along the western corridor," said Fussle who pointed to the wear and tear of roads from the hundreds of trucks daily driving from the Louis Dreyfus plant through Warsaw.
One woman asked who was responsible for the road in front of Richard's.
While Fussle said he believed the city owned that road Conley stated it was privately owned and said if it was owned by the city of Warsaw it wouldn't be in the "terrible shape it is".
Conley said he worked as a private citizen to help repair the access road in front of the Elder-Beerman shopping plaza.
Both during his opening remarks and his closing remarks, Fussle defended a comment he made concerning diversifying the county's economic base.
Fussle, referencing a report from BioCrossroads, said that without bringing in a diverse array of businesses and focusing solely on the Orthopedic industry, Warsaw and Kosciusko County could experience hard economic times akin to Detroit and the loss of auto manufacturing.
Conley pulled out the Biocrossroads report when he had the chance to respond.
"This community is not going the way of Detroit. If it does its because of intrusion from the federal government," said Conley. "Warsaw is the best place in the world to be."
"With my job as an airline captain I've had the chance to go and live all over the world," said Fussle. "And I also choose home. Warsaw and Kosciusko County is a great place to live. But if we don't do something soon we will be a Detroit."
Fussle pointed to the health care bill's tax on orthopedic companies as a potential detriment to the county.
Fussle then once again reiterated his campaign goals of a smart plan for growth, diversifying local economy and improving the quality of life.
Besides contrasting on the outlook for the county, Conley made mention that he doesn't seek donations for his campaign while Fussle has a contribute button on his Web site JonFussle.com
Fussle said that he doesn't seek large donations and appreciates any support someone gives him.
Both were asked if they paid taxes and owned property in the county.
Conley said he owns several rental properties and two businesses while Fussle said that he pays county and state taxes as well as owns property in the form of airplanes.
The two will square off in the May 4 primary.[[In-content Ad]]Kosciusko Silent No More hosted State Rep. Bill Ruppel and two county commissioner candidates Tuesday night at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
Ruppel spoke to the crowd for about a half hour and took several questions from the audience.
Ruppel confirmed to the audience that Indiana will be part of a lawsuit by several states to block recent healthcare reform in Washington DC.
Ruppel said the state is combing through the entire bill so when it does join a lawsuit all its bases are covered.
Ruppel, a Butler grad, apologized for his hoarse voice after cheering on his alma mater during the men's basketball championship.
"I've been honored and humbled by the people of District 22 and I take the oath of office seriously," said Ruppel.
"I believe in less government regulation, fiscal responsibility and individual freedom and rights. And individual responsibility along with family values and the teachings of God," said Ruppel.
Ruppel also said he was a big advocate of the 10th ammendment.
Ruppel said he believed in term limits for US senators and representatives but said local politicians face term limits every time there is an election.
When asked about a proposed statewide smoking ban, he said businesses should be able to decide whether they will allow smoking by looking at their bottom line.
"If I won a restaurant and it's smoking and all I get in there is a couple of smokers I may want to change," said Ruppel.
He echoed similar sentiments on seat belt laws.
The first question Ruppel received was about September 11.
An audience member asked Ruppel, since he is a part of the homeland security committee for Indiana, what "really happened on 9/11 and how did building 7 fall?"
Ruppel couldn't answer the question directly saying that he's often been stonewalled by the federal governement when it came to looking for answers.
Monica Boyer reminded those in attendance that there will be a Tea Party April 17 at the old Kosciusko County Courthouse's south lawn.
An offshoot of Kosciusko Silent No More, One Nation... Back To God will hold an event
The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Grace College's Rodeheaver Auditorium.
There will also be a pastor's breakfast at 6:30 a.m.
Boyer said the event will cost $1,600 and the group is looking for financial help.
The group will host State Rep. Dave Wolkins and Rebecca Kubacki, who is challenging District 22 State Rep. Rupppel, April 20 at 7 p.m. at the church.
Boyer announced that US senate candidate Richard Behney will be at the Farm Table in Leesburg from 6 to 8 a.m. April 17.
Kosciusko Silent No More can be reached at their new phone number 574-383-9125 or by visiting www.kosciuskosilentnomore.com
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