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Six candidates
square off at forum
Considerable sparring occurred in Commissioner debate
By Bob Robinson
Voters received an education on Juvenile Probate Court operations, as
well as the activities of the Clerk of Courts; while major differences
were debated for Commissioner.
Six candidates for three Republican spots on the November ballot
squared off at the League of Women Voters Candidates Forum Monday
evening at the American Legion. Since there are no Democrat
challengers, Tuesday’s Primary winners will be given voter approval in
November for the countywide offices of Juvenile Probate Judge, Clerk of
Courts and County Commissioner.
Aaron Ward, challenger for Darke County Commissioner, promoted
financial independence from outside funding sources, noting that those
funds always had strings attached.
“I would like us to be independent of the feds in finances,” he said.
Incumbent Commissioner Diane Delaplane said she agreed that it would be
good for the county to be self-sufficient, but the reality was that
grants and other forms of funding make it possible to provide many
mandated county services.
Ward responded that some services were required, but that many weren’t.
The objective would be to lower local taxes, noting that there is no
budget that can’t be trimmed.
Regarding the question of a 911 sales tax that Commissioner Mike
Stegall has announced, Ward said he believed there were dollars in the
budget to handle that.
“I don’t believe it has to come down to that (a new sales tax) to
achieve it,” he said.
Delaplane said she didn’t think she could support a sales tax option
until she knew what kind of funding was available for the mandate.
Question: Should all three Commissioners agree all the time and would
each of you have the courage to disagree?
Ward: No and Yes. Delaplane: No and Yes.
Delaplane said she voted again passing a budget in the red. Ward said a
budget is a wish list. It didn’t mean anything.
Casino funding? Delaplane said they didn’t know yet, but hoped it would
help replace the money the county has lost.
“We will use it if we get it,” she said.
Ward agreed, but hoped the county didn’t have to rely on it. He
reminded the group of the Lottery money that was promised for local
school districts.
Both candidates were specific about keeping and maintaining the Darke
County Courthouse.
Ward said that Delaplane had a conflict of interest by holding the seat
of Darke County Commissioner while also being the Fiscal Officer for
Neave Township.
Delaplane said that there was none according to the Ohio Revised Code,
the Ethics Commission and a legal opinion expressed by the Darke County
Prosecutor. If a County discussion came up regarding Neave Tshp, she
would recues herself.
Ward said she voted for funding for Wayne Lakes. Wayne Lakes is in
Neave Tshp. Delaplane responded that there was no conflict because the
two are separate political entities.
Earlier, Ward had said Darke County had the second highest sales tax
rate in the state. Delaplane said it didn’t, that it was the same as
most other counties. Ward responded that “same” didn’t mean it was
right.
Delaplane noted her accomplishments while in office, including economic
development successes, support for public safety and creative financial
decisions that made additional capital improvement monies available.
Ward said his strength was in managing finances, adding that he had
taken a local non-profit agency from meeting monthly to decide what
bills to pay to having over $100,000 in its bank account when he left.
Jason Aslinger and Jim Detling responded to a number of questions
explaining the duties of the Darke County Juvenile Probate Judge. Many
of the questions posed elicited little difference between the two
candidates.
Detling said that if he was elected he would look at the possibility of
establishing a Family Court, noting that it was inefficient for the
Common Pleas judge to handle custody and other issues of married
couples while the Juvenile Judge handled those of unmarried couples.
Aslinger said that he didn’t know how adding another judge’s salary
would get a cheaper court but added that the idea was worth exploring.
Detling responded that it would likely involve looking more at the
duties of the magistrate, and would provide a financial savings.
Aslinger talked about his Drug Court program that brings teens into the
system sooner when there has been a drug use issue. Detling said he
would work to reach pre-teens before there was a problem. Aslinger
responded that he was doing that to some extent, albeit informally.
Question: Was Aslinger’s appointment by the Governor, which went
against the recommendation of the local Central Committee, highly
political? Answer: Aslinger, yes. Detling, yes.
Aslinger also talked about saving more than $100,000 in the budget he
had to prepare shortly after taking the seat. Detling talked about his
goal to get volunteers more involved in guardianships for those unable
to make decisions for themselves.
While Amanda Farley, challenger for the Clerk of Courts position, said
that she would provide a fresh approach to the job, incumbent Cindy
Pike noted the improvements and upgrades she had been establishing
during her time in office.
Farley challenged Pike in one area, noting that Pike’s service as head
of the Darke County Republican Party presented a conflict of interest.
Pike responded that all who enter her office are treated the same.
“I don’t ask if they are Republican or Democrat,” she said. She added
that she viewed her party chairmanship as one of many community service
responsibilities as an elected public officer.
Pike said that there are always changes in the way things are done in
her office. She had one less employee than when she started, but
through streamlining duties and services, handled a heavier workload.
Farley, who promoted her education as her primary qualification for the
office, said “a new set of eyes will improve on the way things are
done.”
There are several uncontested Primary positions on the ballot, as well
as four levies, including a renewal for Greenville Schools, an
additional for Tri-Village Schools and an income tax for Versailles
Schools. For details, click on the following links:
For County, State and District Candidates click here.
For Issues click here.
County News Online has reported on the Candidates for these positions,
plus provided a questionnaire for each to complete. These are available
at the following links:
Article: Good Turnout for Introduction of Primary Candidates, click here.
Questionnaire response for Cindy Pike, click here.
Questionnaire response for Amanda Farley, click here.
Questionnaire response for Jim Detling, click here.
Questionnaire response for Jason Aslinger, click here.
Questionnaire response for Diane Delaplane, click here.
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