![[Greene County Daily World]](http://gcdailyworld.com/images/nameplate-small.png){kind=small}
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Read comments (21)There are three seats on Greene County's Board of Commissioners. Although they are called District 1, 2 and 3 Commissioners, they are all "at-large" seats -- everyone in Greene County votes on all three Commissioners.
Two seats will be on the ballot this year.
In District 1, Crouch is running for re-election -- she was elected four years ago to her first term. Crouch was unopposed in the May primary.
Holtsclaw faced two other Democrat candidates in the primary and won, by a comfortable margin, the right to represent his party in the race for the seat currently held by Crouch.
County commissioners will face many urgent and important issues over the next four years but one that many voters have been thinking about is land-use planning and zoning.
Neither candidate says they support zoning.
"I simply am not for zoning in Greene County due to the additional bureaucracy it would create at huge costs to the taxpayer," said Crouch.
Holtsclaw said he has heard that some people have said he's all for zoning but that is certainly not the case.
"I believe it should go on the ballot and let the majority decide. This is too big of an issue to let three commissioners make this decision. I think the people should make this decision," said Holtsclaw. "If the people vote for it, I'll vote for it. If they vote against, I'll vote against it."
Crouch says the greatest challenges facing Greene County are collaboration and communication and infrastructure. She says the greatest opportunities are the WestGate Tech Park and tourism.
Looking back on her first term, she says exposing the current political climate in Greene County gave her the greatest sense of accomplishment along with helping taxpayers that could not find assistance anywhere else in county government, and building 30-year roads.
In a time of decreasing tax revenues, she says reviewing and curbing inefficiencies will be high on the priority list.
Crouch and her husband, Chuck, have called a farm south of Koleen home since January 2001.
Crouch says her career of business analysis and development, project management and integration of business and systems have prepared her for the position of commissioner and she utilizes the resources of IACC for education related to being a commissioner.
"If re-elected, I would continue to bring transparency to Greene County government and work hard to eliminate inefficiencies and increase communication," said Crouch, adding that the people should vote for her if they believe these things are important to our future.
Holtsclaw's promise to voters is that if he is elected, he will work hard and absolutely do the best job he can.
"If I'm elected, the people in this county will be my number one priority," said Holtsclaw. "And I'm interested in the roads and our infrastructure."
Holtsclaw says Greene County keeps talking about bringing business in, but he doesn't believe they're going to come in until the infrastructure is improved.
"We have to raise our standards and do a better job on the roads, culverts and bridges," he said.
Holtsclaw says WestGate is a good thing but we should not pour everything we've got into that.
"I'm all for WestGate -- it will help us. But there's other places and other things that need to be taken care of," said Holtsclaw.
He says he believes if we want to support business, there are things to do and we have do it ourselves. He also says there are plenty of people right here in Greene County that can contribute to solving problems and making Greene County a better place.
"I don't think we're taking advantage of all of our assets -- we have great people in this county. We have world-class people, many very intelligent people, and many have been left out. We just need to ask them to help. I believe we should look in our own backyard first," said Holtsclaw.
Work on county infrastructure will be a priority for Holtsclaw and he believes it's a concern of many voters.
"People have been calling me for over two years about the condition of the roads," said Holtsclaw.
He currently serves as the Center Township Trustee, a post he has held since 2003 after working for several years with two previous trustees and receiving both a Level I and II state certification as assessor. His current term as trustee ends Dec. 31, 2010 and if he is elected commissioner, he would have to resign from his trustee's position.
Holtsclaw was born near Newberry but has spent most of his life in Center Township. He graduated from Solsberry High School in 1951. His late father, Edison Holtsclaw, also served as Center Township Trustee, for eight years.
Holtsclaw is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and retired from Crane in 1994 after 28 years of service. He worked in ordnance, and also traveled extensively working on ammunition installations in places like Vietnam, Japan, Okinawa, Guam and many more. After he left the Navy, he held a few other jobs before he started his Crane career -- from construction work to a commercial bakery. After he retired, he took a job reading meters for REMC for a few years.
Throughout his life, Holtsclaw has been active in his community -- he coached Little League for a number of years, served as a commander of American Legion Post No. 450 in Solsberry for 10 years, is currently a member of the Eastern Greene Development Association and serves as Center Township Democrat Party precinct committeeman. He has also been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer and is active in the Sylvania Wesleyan Church.
Holtsclaw and his wife, Bernadene, have been married for more than 54 years and they have three children, seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
They started out as the Democratic Republicans then they got a divorce and have been fighting over the BABY and Child Support ever since... What a Country.
Ask the Indians what it was like when they owned it... It was FREE for us to take it from them...
R. Michael Johnson has thrown his support to Crouch.
That does it. I'm voting for Holtsclaw.
gary g,
The building that you speak of would have most likely cost you a great deal more to build with zoning in place. You say that your building was built properly, and it also operates with respect to the neighbors. By whose standards? Yours? With zoning, your standards will no longer be of any value.
How would have the property been zoned before you built the building? What if you wanted to change the use after it was zoned? What if you wanted to change the use again? What if you wanted to start a business in your house? What if you wanted to start one in your garage? What if you wanted to build a barn in your back yard to operate your business out of? What if you lived on 20 acres zoned residential and you wanted to keep a calf in your little pasture?
The list go on and on....
If this is not enough to wake you up, guess who gets to pay for all the committees, boards, enforcement, offices, phones, paper, cars, trucks, uniforms, tires, gas, INSURANCE, LAWYERS, managers, signs, surveyors, DEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONS (except under the table payments) and last but not least, even the dreaded mud cops, just like in Monroe County.
Taxing? Can you say abatement? If you are a new business moving in you sure can, but what if your land is zoned commercial? There is plenty more but I find myself to tired to continue.....
___________________________________________
jest my 2 cents worth, non-taxable(for now)
Escorted out of the Farm Bureau Forum the other night??????
What a pathetic lie.
And finally - something that got a full belly-laugh from me for the first time in months!!
Thanks for the entertainment!
I support Kathy Crouch
Well if Mr. Holtsclaw lives on a gravel road I'de be looking to see his road paved too, I guess she would have been the first so maybe Mr Holtsclaw can be the first. If he gets the vote. I measured the pavement on hasler highway and there's approx. 12" of new pavement layed on the road that use to be gravel, its really nice. Too bad not alot of people live on the road to enjoy it.
Our county roads are terrible, hopefully whoever gets in there can do something about the highway dept superintendent because I personally think that is where the problem lies.
I wasn't aware Crouch was escorted out, why? what rules did she break?
Someone commented that ALL of the commissioners have their roads paved - that doesn't make it right. Why didn't she stand up against tradition and refuse to follow the "good ole boys" way.
What about the Owen County road that was paved in Crouch's district??? We have so many roads in Greene County that need repaired, do we really need to venture into other counties and repair their roads for free???? When was last time she actually got out and traveled any of the roads in her district besides Crouch Blvd???
How much money did we spend to superpave her road anyway? I for one would like to know the cost of that project vs the other road improvements in her district.
And finally, did she really have to be escorted from the recent political candidate forum because she couldn't follow the rules? Now that's what I call professional!!!
Think I'll support Holtsclaw this round - I've had enough of the double standards.
I think there's alot of people in our shoes.
why is it that the Democrats running for office are for the Zoning, or non-committal, or wants a poll of votes and they'll vote that way? almost like they have no spine! are you for it, or against it, yes or no! I'm a registered democrat but I can guarantee you I am not for zoning! either your for it or against it. thats what the people want to know what are you spine or spineless... by answering non-commital or take a poll thats what we call spineless! Just because your running for the democratic party does that mean you are automatically for zoning? There are us Democrats who are not for zoning. I would love to vote for a democrat but I haven't found one with a spine yet. unless they get one I will be voting republican. I would respect them more if they would say yes.
those barns are owned by out of state? I know local people who have put them up on their own property. If you don't want something close to you purchase the property yourself that way you can control what is there.
There were a number of times the person your speaking of stood up for what she believes and if she had not stood up when she did and in the manner she did none of us would have even known what was going on. I guess thats what I do like about her I want a person who knows the residence there and how we live, not a professional, I don't want someone hiding things from me I think everything should be known by all because its our county we'r not all professionals.
as far as her not doing it in a civil manner, you must be kidding, everything I remember her bringing out in the open couldn't have been done in any other manner, it was a fiasco before she brought it out in the open, and an outrage!
To American pride, yes I wnat to do as I please also on my land. Picture this you build your place, you grow old, you want to retire there. A company not based in Indiana builds about 15 HUGE hog barns next door---- smell this. Another company not from Indiana builds 4 Turkey barns next door to the Hog barns ---- smell that. The smell is horrid, the flies are noticeable even at 1/2 mile away. Water in the streams is changing colors - IDEM will do nothing about it.
A person can stand up for what they believe in, but do it in a civil manner. Let us not forget the fiascos that this one particular commisoner has produced, and the manner in which she has conducted herself....certainly less than professional. How interesting that she is not firing back comments in this forum? History dictates that it is time for change!
All; or, anyone of those that support zoning or land use, have a very viable option. They can purchase my property, at my asking price. Then pay the property taxes and feel free to do anything they choose with the new property they own. I will not interfere in any way.
And, since I am such a benevolent citizen; if they can not manage their own property, I will be pleased to stop by or send someone capable anywhere in Greene County to tell them exactly what they can or can not do with their own real estate holdings. Unlimited and unrevocable power of attorney required.
Sign up here and don't be shy. If you really believe you know best, let me demonstrate the
bureaucratic error of your thinking.
I think the people of Greene County that object to Zoning will be ANGRY to see some of the "suff" built and in operation out in the Townships. I know for a fact I can build a bulding and nobody can stop/control me as far as size, codes or useage. The only person that did control us was for the septic tank and drinking water. THAT IS NOT CONTROL. However the building was built properly, it also operates with respect to the neighbors. I am not writing to stop a man from having his dirt, wood and steel for his personal use. I am also not writing to say Not in my back yard approach but I am saying watch out for me as I watch out for you.
well, I have to agree, Kathy Crouch has stood up for what she beleives and I respect that, I do not want zoning.
As far as Kathy Crouch's Road goes, you can look at every commissioners road, right after they are elected it is alway's paved its not just Kathy's. We have called a road over our way Hasler Highway for 4 years now and we thought it was the nicest in the county, so whoever gets in will have a new paved road. Tom Baily had a great paved road to his home and prior to the pavement it was gravel and its still pretty nice. I wish I could have a nice road too but I don't want to be a commissioner, we blame them for everything. until something is done with the County's Superintendent over the roads they will not be done correctly.
americanpride, In the article above:
"I simply am not for zoning in Greene County due to the additional bureaucracy it would create at huge costs to the taxpayer," said Crouch.
"If the people vote for it, I'll vote for it. If they vote against, I'll vote against it" said Holtsclaw.
I like candidates that can express their views based on their beliefs. I tend to shy away from the ones that want to poll for every decision.
What if there is no time to poll?
___________________________________________
jest my 2 cents worth, non-taxable(for now)
Kathy,
If you get re elected will you share some of the pavement and other road work for us. I think you have worked on every road around your house.
Ohh, maybe you can work on paving the road to slick rock.
Good Luck Kermit, for 2 reasons from me.
Please please people of Greene County accept some zoning controls. There must be limited zoning though. I live in a county that is "Gastapo" (spelling??) which is a bit silly. Think of having a Hog, Turkey Barn or having a 24hr Gas Station built with NO controls next to a home you have lived in and attempting to live the rest of your retirement in. With I69 coming there will be Truck Stops, Gas Stations, Fast Food Joints and just anything that will make you sick to have as a neighbor. Without a control -- anybody can come build anything. There is awesome money is trash and refuse repacking. Do you want that next to you? Think about something like that next to your elderly parents.
I hope they do a better job on Crouch BLVD than they did on Dobson Rd (CR 175S). They have already tore up the new pavement they put down last year and chip & sealed it, REAL NICE! Way to go Commissioner Crouch! During your term, your road turned out to be the nicest in the county!
I think Crouch BLVD should be completed next week. I heard the road was closed.