GOSHEN — The upcoming May 8 primary election will see two well-know Republican contenders battling it out for the title of Elkhart County Commissioner—District 2.

Incumbent Mike Yoder, R-Middlebury, who is finishing his second term as commissioner, is facing a challenge from Darryl Riegsecker, R-Goshen, a former Goshen city councilman and current Elkhart County Council member.

Following is the biographical information of each candidate, as well as answers to several questions related to their candidacy for commissioner:

Mike Yoder

• Age: 58
• Address: Middlebury
• Education: Michigan State University School of Agriculture Technology
• Employment: Self-employed as dairy farmer
• Other: Yoder is married with two daughters, two sons-in-law and one grandson.

His wife, Rhonda, teaches elementary music at Jefferson Elementary School.

Why have you decided to run for re-election?

I continue to find the job interesting and challenging. I also believe a strong voice in county government supporting several important community initiatives is critical at this time. A good example is the Horizon Education Alliance. This collaborative effort involving schools, businesses, not-for-profits and local government to improve education opportunities is a key element in realizing our goal of a more diversified local economy. Additionally we still have work to do in areas related to land stewardship and water quality. Important issues related to improving quality of life, an important factor in bringing higher wage jobs to Elkhart County.



Why do you feel you are the most qualified candidate for this position?

Eight years as a County Commissioner, not only working to balance county budgets but also to reduce actual expenditures. Working through and surviving the county budget process in 2009 and 2010 provided an experience that will not be forgotten. As county government revenues begin to return to normal levels, that past experience will guide every decision on how we utilize future revenues. I am the only county elected official that has been involved in the Horizon Education Initiative from the beginning. Over 30 years experience working on land-use issues, tax policy issues and environmental policies.



What do you feel are some of the biggest issues or challenges currently facing the County Board of Commissioners? How would you go about addressing those issues if re-elected?

A.) Local road maintenance funding — see next question;

B.) Addressing the water quality issues to prevent further local intervention of state and federal regulatory agencies. Utilize the Storm Water fund to begin addressing the identified problems; and

C.) Replacing the Juvenile Detention Center — as soon as CAGIT revenues allow, move forward with the current approved design.

Finding adequate funding for county road projects such as the C.R. 17 corridor has grown particularly difficult in recent years due to declining revenues. Adequate funding for road paving/maintenance has also become a major issue. Do you see this as an area of concern for the county? If so, do you have any ideas on how best to deal with the situation in the future?

Road funding is a major concern for the commissioners. New jobs do not arrive without good quality infrastructure. The primary funding sources need to be restructured by the state Legislature; this issue has been postponed for too long. For example, it makes no sense to spend fuel tax revenues to subsidize the State Police budget. We will use wheel tax, EDIT dollars and revenues from TIF districts to do the best we can. If the state does not act and these other local sources are not adequate, then county government will need to provide the community with options for our own local funding solutions.



The need for a County Zoning Ordinance rewrite has also been a topic of much contention in recent years. Do you feel a zoning ordinance rewrite is something that needs to be revisited? Do you feel it is fine the way it is? Why?

This is currently in the hands of the Plan Commission. In 2009 the County Commissioners, County Council and Plan Commission unanimously decided the 40-plus-year-old ordinance needed to be modernized. Forty years ago our community was much different than today and while the current ordinance worked well in the ’60s and ’70s, it is not well-suited for the 21st century and the advanced manufacturing businesses we desire to attract. To fully recover from the recession, we need new investment by local companies and new companies searching for a good location to build. This new investment will not happen unless the investment is protected with modern planning and zoning practices.

 

Darryl Riegsecker

• Age: 50
• Address: Goshen
• Education: Goshen High School
• Employment: Prudential One Realty
• Other: Riegsecker is married with three children, one stepson and three grandchildren. He enjoys golf, camping, volunteering for organizations and going to auctions.

Why have you decided to run for election?

I think it is time to get someone in office that will listen and work with people and organizations of Elkhart County. It is time to get some transparency in Elkhart County government. I feel it is time to try and put a stop to interfering with people’s property rights. I feel we have too many regulations and we need less government. I feel it is time to work with the cities and towns and townships in the county and act like one instead of working against each other.



Why do you feel you are the most qualified candidate for this position?

I feel I have the skill to work with individuals and organizations and listen to what people have to say and then work out a solution from there. I am not afraid to fight for people and organizations and businesses if needed. I have served on the Goshen City Council and worked well with people and the city and now I serve on the County Council and have fought to protect your tax dollars.



What do you feel are some of the biggest issues or challenges currently facing the County Board of Commissioners? How would you go about addressing those issues if elected?

I feel one of the biggest challenges is listening to the people of Elkhart County what are the issues and listen to all sides and make a decision from there. I feel we try to not listen to input and get things passed through. This zoning issue is one of the biggest issues of the county and the total rewrite needs to be stopped. We need to get everyone involved with updating the zoning ordinance with private citizens, and all the groups should participate. That way everyone has ownership in making our zoning ordinance work. We need to do more with cities and towns and townships instead of pointing fingers. We need to all work together since we are one county.



Finding adequate funding for county road projects such as the C.R. 17 corridor has grown particularly difficult in recent years due to declining revenues. Adequate funding for road paving/maintenance has also become a major issue. Do you see this as an area of concern for the county? If so, do you have any ideas on how best to deal with the situation in the future?

It is a big concern for the county. One thing to do is try to use TIF dollars from redevelopment for the C.R. 17 repairs since it is in the TIF district as much as possible. Try to still cut back on the budget and not use EDIT dollars to balance the budget. We need to look at some of the organizations that the county does give money to and I would want to meet with them and see how we can get another fundraising tool for them instead of the county.



The need for a County Zoning Ordinance rewrite has also been a topic of much contention in recent years. Do you feel a zoning ordinance rewrite is something that needs to be revisited? Do you feel it is fine the way it is? Why?

I do not think we need a total rewrite. I feel that would be a big mistake. I feel if we need to make changes to it we can make them by meeting with the groups and people of Elkhart County and not hire any outside firm to do it. I think we have good people in Elkhart County to do the job.