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Two Democratic candidates vying for the County Commissioner seat participated in a candidate forum on Thursday hosted by the local chapter of the Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America.
Candidates Trent Deckard and David Henry, who both currently sit on the Monroe County Council, answered questions on housing costs, transparency in the county and the new jail project.
According to U.S. Census data, roughly one in five Monroe County residents are living below the poverty line. During his opening statement, Henry addressed the housing affordability crisis in the community.
“The vast majority of our community,” said Henry, “They can’t make the rent without a roommate, let alone save up to buy a home in this community… We need a county government that’s saying yes more than no on those issues as we look to our community’s development over the next few years.”
Deckard then gave his opening statement. He also touched on the issue of affordability in Monroe County.
“If you’re looking to make a start, like so many of the students I teach at IU, it’s like a crap shoot,” said Deckard. “It shouldn’t be that way. This was once a welcoming place. It should be a welcoming place again.”
Moderator Bryce Greene asked the candidates how they intend to address homelessness in the county.
“How will you prioritize caring for our unhoused neighbors, and what specific critiques do you have of existing county council policy or county commission policy?” asked Greene.
Henry responded that he believes the county needs a culture change when it comes to the unhoused community.
“I would like to see us work with our service providers more closely, to listen to what frontline staff are telling us, and to make sure that we are doing no harm as a county,” he said.
Deckard maintained the county needs to see the dignity in all people. He called the planned eviction at the county-owned Thompson property “inhumane.”
“One of the big things I would just point out is if the county doesn’t have a housing policy that lets them do rental inspection, why would we think that we would be experts on relocating people?” said Deckard.
Henry offered a rebuttal saying we already have a “community of care.” He urged the county to have better leadership to foster that community of care.
“County government’s job isn’t to be another nonprofit. It’s to set the standard in our community and meet it every day,” said Henry. “And it’s one thing to join the chorus. It’s another thing to get in the front line of leadership and get involved in these issues up front.”
Shifting gears, moderator Greene asked the two candidates about the new jail. The proposed jail project has drawn criticism over its projected cost and long-term financing. The project could cost more than $220 million, depending on final design and financing.
Greene asked the candidates if they would oppose the project as county commissioner. Neither candidate said they would reject a new jail altogether. However, Deckard responded that regardless of what happens, the county must maintain constitutional standards at the jail facility.
“I’ll continue to listen to the public as we navigate our way through the difficulties on that. It is a hard subject – where it goes, how it goes, what that looks like – but ultimately, someone in there tonight needs to have constitutional care,” said Deckard.
Henry said despite how the county moves forward with a jail project – he cautions against overcrowding the facility.
“I do not believe we should max out the county’s credit card for the next 20 years and taxing everyone in this room $5,000 a head just to build that facility in the years to come,” said Henry.
The candidate forum also included candidates for the Monroe County prosecutor’s race. Stay tuned for more coverage on the WFHB Local News. The full forum is available online here.
Credits:
Story produced by Kade Young. Photo comes from Dave Askins’ coverage in the B Square Bulletin.
