Two candidates running for District 3 commissioners seat in Bartholomew

Bartholomew County voters will be choosing next month between two candidates for County Commissioner District 3 — incumbent Republican Rick Flohr and Democratic challenger Brad Woodcock.

Flohr, 66, is finishing his first term as county commissioner. He is part owner of a tool and die business in town and has been in that business for 38 years. He is also a part-time farmer. He is married to Debra and they have four married daughters and 11 grandchildren. He graduated from Columbus North High School and attended Indiana University. He is a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Waymansville.

Woodcock, 48,  is a small business owner. He is married to Ellen, and they have a son, Ryan, daughter, Kristin, and a granddaughter.  He graduated from Columbus East High School.

We asked Flohr and Woodcock:

  • The budget negotiations for 2017 were especially harsh this year between the County Council and Commissioners. What needs to happen to improve that relationship?

Flohr said the relationship isn’t as bad as it may have seemed.

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Woodcock said better communication would help:

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We also asked the candidates about repairing or replacing the county highway garage on State Street

  • The Council scuttled plans for a new annex building on State Street. Now the commissioners are looking at the county highway garage, which sounds like it is falling apart. How can that building be repaired or replaced?

Woodcock said a cumulative capital development fund would help the county pay for the project:

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Flohr said that the decision to give up on the annex plans was a joint one between the commissioners and council. And he agreed that a cumulative capital development fund was needed.

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Both candidates said they support the creation of a cumulative capital development fund, which would allow the county to build up money over several years for big projects.

We asked the candidates:

  • Some current County Council members say the county needs more revenue. Do you support the commissioners creating a cumulative development fund?

Flohr did have a concern:

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Woodcock said he thinks the county should consider establishing the fund:

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Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz, a Republican, will also be on the November ballot, for District 1. He is unopposed.