GOP candidates for Monroe County commissioner field questions on economic development

At a Wednesday afternoon forum hosted by the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation at the Monroe Convention center, three rounds of county commissioner candidates from both major parties fielded questions from a moderator and the audience.

That included the two Republican candidates for the party’s District 3 county commissioner nomination.

Competing for the GOP nomination for the District 3 county commissioner seat are Joe Van Deventer and Paul White, Sr.

All registered voters in the county can cast a ballot in a District 3 race. The geographic districts for county commissioners are used only to define the area of the county where candidates have to live.

Primary Election Day is May 7, but in-person early voting has been underway for a couple of weeks, at the Monroe County election operations center at 3rd and Walnut streets.

Who should vote in which primary?

In his opening statement, White took the chance to object to the message that has recently been promoted by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, on the topic of when voters make the decision about the next county commissioners.

According to chamber president and CEO Eric Spoonmore, the decision about who will be the next county commissioner will be made on May 7—in the Democratic Party’s primary. In a video that Spoonmore recorded and posted on Facebook on behalf of the chamber, Spoonmore said, “Mark my words, in just a few weeks, we’re going to know who will be sworn in as county commissioners in January 2025.”

Spoonmore continued, “To be exact, we will know on May 7, because that’s when Primary Election Day is in Indiana.” He added, “We won’t have to wait until the general election in November, because the decision on who will lead our county in these roles for the next four years will be made in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, May 7.”

Spoonmore’s statement is based on the heavy lean that Monroe County has shown for Democratic Party candidates in recent years.

The chamber’s message is effectively an encouragement to Republican voters to vote in the Democratic Party’s primary instead of the Republican primary. From Spoonmore’s video: “Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to officially register with the Democratic Party to vote in the Democratic primary, you can simply walk into your polling place, tell the election workers that you want the Democrat ballot, and they’ll give it to you, no questions asked.”

Spoonmore delivered the same kind of message in his remarks made at the March 28 candidate forum hosted by the BASCI (Building Association of South Central Indiana).

Spoonmore’s Facebook video was shared by the Facebook account of the Bloomington Board of Realtors.

Moderating the GOP round of candidates at Wednesday’s BEDC event was Kristen Weida, association executive at Bloomington Board of Realtors.

In his opening remarks, White said, “It came to my attention here not too long ago that the chamber of commerce had said that if you vote the Democratic primary this year, whoever you elect to be your candidate in the Democrat primary, that’s who your new commissioner will be, come fall.”

White continued, “And I’m here to tell you that’s bunk, even though the realtor board did endorse that statement.” White added, “I intend to be your next District 3 county commissioner. I believe in the power of the vote.”

[Updated April 27, 2024: Monroe County Republican Party chair Taylor Bryant has released a statement on the topic that includes the the following: “We condemn, in the strongest of terms, the attempts by both organizations to leverage Republican voters to sway the Democratic Party, as they seem unable to influence Democratic Primary voters to select a candidate that represents the organizations’ values. Instead of backing Republican candidates who typically embody their values, they are urging their Republican members to interfere in the Democratic Primary rather than support and promote outstanding Republican candidates.”]

Impact of abortion restrictions on economic development?

The BEDC’s forum included a chance for the audience to ask questions.

During the round for the three Democrats competing for their party’s nomination for District 3 county commissioner, White was seated in the audience and posed a question about commissioner salaries. The three Democrats are incumbent Penny Githens, Jody Madeira, and Steve Volan.

White’s question had established it was fair game for candidates in other races to ask questions as audience members. So Madeira, a professor of law at Indiana University, led off her question for Republican candidates by quipping, “Returning the favor!”

Madeira’s question to Van Deventer and White was this:

“Paul said that government should not run people’s lives, but one of the things we learned at IU is that sometimes the lack of perceived government support for health care and other social protections has a dramatic effect on recruitment and therefore on economic development. Governor [Mike] Pence discovered this under RFRA [Religious Freedom Restoration Act] and IU has had one heck of a hard time recruiting since Indiana passed SB1, the abortion ban. How will you communicate to employers that Monroe County is a great, safe and inclusive place to live?”

White’s answer to Madeira’s specific question was brief: “By showing them. There’s no better way.”

Van Deventer told Madeira, “Monroe County sells itself. I think we have a very nice diverse county here.” He continued, “You brought up a couple of things that are hot topics—those are hot topics across the country.”

He added, “But I feel like we still do a good job attracting people here. It’s a wonderful place to live and a wonderful place to raise a family. I’ve raised four kids here.” Van Deventer wrapped up by saying, “I just think it…sells itself most of the time.”

Basic background, and pitch to voters?

White led off by saying he was born in Bloomington Hospital: “My part is still there!” That was an allusion to the fact that most of the former IU Health hospital complex at 2nd and Rogers streets has now been demolished to make way for the planned new Hopewell neighborhood. However, the Kohr administration building, which was the original hospital building, has been preserved.

White said he was raised on a dairy farm, where he lived until he was 14. After that, his family moved into Bloomington where he was part of the first class that graduated from Bloomington High School South. In high school, he was a three-sport letterman, which White said meant that he knows how to help people get things done—because he was the manager for those sports teams. He said he was the manager for the football and wrestling teams: “I played baseball, but they still thought I was their manager,” White said.

White said he has a Bible and ministry degree, adding, “In that, you really learn how to work with people.” He said, “People are a lot like cattle. If you treat them well, they’ll treat you well. If you support them, they’ll support you.”

White said that what people often need is just a helping hand. “My calling in life—no matter what I’m doing—my calling is helping people,” White said. White said that as a Special Olympics coach, he helps people achieve things that they didn’t think were possible.

County commissioners should be in the business of helping people to excel in everything they’re doing, White said, which mostly means making sure people are not being overtaxed and that they’re safe.

Paul White, Sr. bio submitted to BEDC

Van Deventer described himself as a lifelong resident of Monroe County—his family has lived in Monroe County for several generations. He worked for Monroe County government for 19 years and has now worked for the city Bloomington public works department for the last 19 years. For the last dozen years he has served as the city’s assistant public works director and director of street operations.

Van Deventer described a small cattle farm in Washington Township by Oliver’s Winery that he and his wife own. About his reason to run for county commissioner, he said, “I always thought if you didn’t like the direction things were going, it’s time to step up and run for office.”

About the specific issues that he wants to address as a county commissioner, Van Deventer said, “I feel like the current permitting process and ordinance on land use is cumbersome and frustrating. And I think that’s holding us back in several different areas.” He said he is looking to help relieve some of the “cumbersome” process that people have to go through.

In his work for the city of Bloomington he’s heard complaints from residents about right-of-way issues or stormwater issues. He likes to be out in the field to see what’s going on. People’s problems don’t fit into a “cookie cutter” type solution, Van Deventer said: “Everybody’s issues are different.”

Joe Van Deventer bio submitted to BEDC

Highlights from candidate responses to questions

White said that in 10 to 20 years, he thinks Monroe County can have a healthy Earth and business environment—a strong economy with various job opportunities including entry-level jobs, and reduced homelessness.

White stressed the importance of reevaluating zoning ordinances to ensure they actually benefit people and businesses. White highlighted the significance of entry-level jobs in integrating individuals into the workforce and enabling upward mobility.

He referred to Ronald Reagan’s view on the government’s duty to protect citizens rather than control their lives, advocating for a balanced approach in governance. White also said that “fireside chats” in the style of Franklin D. Roosevelt are needed.

White stressed the need for collaboration between local governments, businesses, and citizens, to address issues such as housing and business development.

Van Deventer said that in 20 years, he envisions a robust economy that retains graduates from various educational backgrounds, including vocational schools, and high school.

Van Deventer stressed the importance of essential jobs, something that was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed the need to embrace the near-completion of I-69 as a part of the county’s growth. He also said the county needs to support employers like NSWC Crane and to recognize their role in the community.

Van Deventer said the issue of homelessness in downtown Bloomington should be confronted before it becomes a bigger problem. He advocated for proactive measures such as providing housing, counseling, and addiction support to prevent the issue from escalating.

On land use and development, Van Deventer said that after Bloomington’s annexation litigation is over, he thinks that things should be “mended” between Bloomington and county government. Sewer service needs to be extended to unincorporated areas in order for development to happen, he said. Ellettsville should also be considered as a possibility for future development, he said.

Van Deventer has reservations about the draft county development ordinance (CDO), which he thinks is too restrictive on areas where building can take place, even if some of the restriction is necessary due to flood plain issues.

[CATS recorded the BEDC’s whole event. Here’s a link to the video, cued up to the start of the round for Republican candidates: April 24, 2024 BEDC candidate forum.]