MOUNT VERNON — Incumbent Knox County Commissioner Allen Stockberger, Republican, who has served 16 years, is facing newcomer and Democratic challenger Serita J. Harris in Tuesday’s election for the seat commencing Jan. 3, 2009.
Stockberger said the biggest issue for the winner of the commissioner position is “managing urban sprawl and maintaining Knox County’s strong financial position without any new taxes.”
He cited storm water management and access management, an example of which is installation of safe driveways at new home sites, as progress the county has made toward managing urban sprawl.
“Knox County, with the exception of Holmes County, which has the same tax rate, has the lowest sales tax of all the surrounding counties,” Stockberger said. “Having the experience I have in county government, I believe that we will be able to stay the course in maintaining that low tax rate, through strong fiscal management and keeping a good grip on the budget.”
Harris said the biggest issue was “economic growth and development, and the loss of manufacturing jobs.”
“Over the years, we’ve had so many of our industries leave,” she said. “Those were good-paying jobs with benefits. Now we only have the fast-food industry. But families cannot be supported on minimum wage jobs. They need health insurance, vacations ... I would like to see a strong economy where people can support their families and spend quality time with their families rather than working two minimum wage jobs and barely keeping a roof over their heads.”
Asked how she will achieve her goals, Harris said she will contact green technology companies and local manufacturers and unions to get their input on other companies that could aid them in their manufacturing process, and ask these companies about opening a branch in Knox County so local manufacturers wouldn’t have the expense of going out of state for their products.
“If I contact those industries to see where they get their products, maybe we can get them to bring their businesses here. But I won’t sit around and wait for them to contact us,” she said, adding that her work experience has taught her that proactive contact is required.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to create additional high-quality jobs for our work force,” said Stockberger, who cited the new buildings under construction at Rolls-Royce and Sanoh America. “Those are the result of combined efforts, as a team. We worked together with the Area Development Foundation and Mount Vernon to create an environment that is friendly to companies so they will want to locate here.”
Harris said the strengths she will bring to the commissioner position are her concern for and dedication to the county, her business and management experience, and her ability to work with people.
“I know what you have to do to run a business,” she said. “You just can’t run it on a whim. I will be available to the public basically 24/7. I want to be in touch with Knox County people. I’ll return phone calls if I can’t meet with them in person.
“We’re losing one of the most valuable resources Knox County has, its youth,” said Harris. “Their only options other than service jobs are out-of-county jobs, out-of-state jobs or to join the armed services. I have the utmost respect for people who join the armed services, but I think it’s a poor situation when a man or woman thinks that’s the only option to support a family.”
Stockberger counts the positive business and personal relationships he has built during his tenure among his strengths, as well as what he calls his hands-on approach. He cited the current hamlet wastewater project.
“I’m out there working with the engineers on figuring out how we can best serve the wastewater needs of our unincorporated villages. The commissioners could sit back and allow the consultants to do it all, but I’ve chosen not to do that. I’m a firm believer that I must be fully engaged in the process in order to get the positive results we want,” said Stockberger.
He noted the accomplishments of the commissioners office over the past 10 to 15 years, including expanded senior programs and services, three new parks and a fourth — Indian Field Bluffs between Howard and Gambier — being developed, three scenic byways, three trails and a fourth proposed, and both the county’s rivers designated Scenic Rivers.
“I have enjoyed being part of the process,” Stockberger said.
