AUDIO: Dearborn County Debates Broadcast

Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 9:52 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

Eagle Country 99.3 and the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce asked local candidates about some of the most-pressing issues ahead of the November 6 election.

Glenn Wright (left) and Rick Probst are candidates for Dearborn County Commissioner in District 3 on the November 6, 2018 ballot. Photos by Mike Perleberg, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - Medical marijuana, port development in Lawrenceburg, local housing needs, and the Indiana Department of Child Services were the top issues discussed by candidates on the Eagle Country 99.3 airwaves Wednesday.

Eagle Country 99.3 and the Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce partnered to put on the Dearborn County Debates broadcast. Ivy Tech Community College in Lawrenceburg hosted the debates co-moderated by radio station news director Mike Perleberg and Dearborn County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Eric Kranz.

We asked the House District 67 candidates about environmental issues at the former Tanners Creek Power Plant site, which is being eyed as Indiana’s next port on the Ohio River. Incumbent Republican State Rep. Randy Frye, a self-described catalyst for the project, said worries about coal fly ash at the site will be addressed before the state ever takes over the site.

“No one is going to advocate that we build the port and have any type of health risk. We’re going to do it and we’re going to do it right, but boy are we going to do it. And is it going to bring jobs – great jobs. Is it ever going to make economic opportunity. We’re going to see new roads that are already being planned. How exciting,” said Frye.

Frye and his Democrat opponent, military veteran Cordelle Feuston, agreed that Indiana needs more data before legalizing marijuana for medicinal use. Feuston said marijuana has been shown to help people deal with chronic illness.

“I know in my job when I interview when I interview people and I am in a state where it is legal, we’re not able to hire them, but they say ‘Well it’s legal.’ So we’re getting into some weird legal spots. I think it is very important that we look at how it plays out and what we can do. I think that right now we just need more research in it,” said Feuston, who was the only invited Democrat to appear at the debate broadcast.

Frye says a family experience with medical marijuana gives him hesitation to support legalization. A told the audience about a healthy, athletic relative in another state who has a prescription for medical marijuana.

“He’s using it because he wants to get high off of it. How do we prevent that? Personally, I am not in favor of it unless I have compelling evidence. I haven’t seen it yet,” said Frye.

Both candidates supported legalizing industrial hemp, as they believe it could help Indiana farmers.

In light of Wednesday’s national news headlines about bombs being sent to prominent political figures, Feuston called on politicians and people to put aside their differences.

“We need to do the common sense things for the common good,” he said. “All the ugliness and hashtags and the memes and all the social media and all the nonsense has to stop. It is actually very disgusting and it is actually harming our community and our political process.”

Dearborn County voters will choose a new District 3 county commissioner in November. Independent candidate and county recorder Glenn Wright explained why he is running for county commissioner.

“I’m sick of the status quo and what we’ve accomplished. Since I’ve been in office eight years as recorder, we have spent $28 million in boat money. Our local option income tax has doubled. Our roads are in fair to poor condition,” the northern county resident and former East Central High School agriculture teacher said.

Probst, an Aurora Republican and former county clerk of courts, gave his ideas for advancing Dearborn County through an efficient use of county assets and tax dollars.

“The county faces special challenges in the near future. We need to monitor and enhance school security, the local port development, and expand commercial and residential opportunities,” said Probst.

Introduction