Vonderheide, Uebelhor seeking Republican nomination for County Commissioner
Dubois County Councilman Doug Uebelhor and former Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide are on the ticket to potentially represent the Republican Party for the District 2 County Commissioner seat in the upcoming general election.
Dubois County Voters will have an opportunity to select one of the two on their ticket. (Correction: This originally said Bainbridge Township voters but all registered voters will have an opportunity to vote for commissioners.)
The primary election is currently underway with early voting available at the County Annex. We have included a flyer at the end of the article with the locations and dates of early voting. The primary will be held on May 5.
The District 2 seat is being vacated by the current commissioner, Serice Stenftenagel, who is not running for reelection after serving one term.
Indiana county commissioners are elected to four-year terms, with three commissioners serving on each county’s Board of Commissioners. They must reside in the district they represent and collectively act as both the executive and legislative body of county government. Their wide-ranging responsibilities include maintaining county properties like the courthouse, jail, and highway department; auditing and authorizing county expenses; establishing voting precincts; overseeing road and bridge construction; managing waste disposal; and helping set salaries for county employees and officers.
We asked both candidates several questions and have provided their answers below. The candidates’ answers are listed in alphabetical order.
1. What specifically prompted you to seek this seat, and why now? Walk us through the moment or issue that made you decide to run for County Commissioner rather than continuing in your current or previous role in local government.
Uebelhor
I was a former Dubois County Commissioner and I feel I made a positive impact on the county while I was in office. I am currently on the county council and feel I contribute and make a positive impact, but I have felt for a while that I could do more for the county. I feel it is the right time for me to get back in the commissioner’s office and continue making positive strides to improve our county and make the commissioner’s office more accessible to everyone who wants to voice issues and concerns.
Vonderheide
To be an effective mayor, I found it necessary to be engaged with various boards and organizations, a role that essentially has no specific hours. Unfortunately, this meant missing many key family milestones. I didn’t just jump in, but took time to thoroughly think of this opportunity to use my skill sets to help the greater community of Dubois County.
2. You are coming into this race with experience in local government. How does that background uniquely prepare you for the responsibilities of a County Commissioner?
Uebelhor
Not only is my local government experience from county government, but specifically from the county commissioner’s office. While serving as a Dubois County Commissioner, I made positive contributions to improve county transparency and accessibility. I feel that the added experience in being a county councilman has given me a better perspective and grasp on the financial scope of our county and its needs and limitations. Having an understanding of county finances is an important piece of knowledge to bring to the commissioner’s office. Having this gives me a better understanding of where to focus on projects and where to cut back.
Vonderheide
I served on the Dubois County Contractual Library Board and the Jasper Public Library Board for several years, eventually serving as President of the Jasper Public Library Board as we developed plans collaboratively with the City of Jasper for the new Thyen-Clark Cultural Center.
I served three years on the Jasper Common Council before being caucused in to finish Mayor Terry Seitz’s second term. I then served six plus additional years as Mayor of Jasper.
Those years of experience in addressing the needs of the public through the dedicated execution of the long-range comprehensive plan, as well as the leadership provided through the annual budgeting process, have prepared me well for the role of County Commissioner.
I’ve collaborated proactively across government boundaries to get things done. My previous background in local industries provided me with experience in continuous improvement and innovation, improving processes and redefining ourselves as the markets changed. I was also certified as a Global Professional in Human Resources while serving as the Chief Human Resource Officer.
County government is in need of those skills and the leadership I can provide.
3. If you serve one term as County Commissioner, what is the one accomplishment you would point to four years from now as the defining success of your time in office? What does a better Dubois County look like to you when your term ends?
Uebelhor
Safety is a top priority of mine. With new industries coming into our communities, making sure companies provide a safe environment for the surrounding area is essential. I feel the county needs to have better oversight, and I feel a form of planning and zoning could help us achieve this. A better Dubois County is a Dubois County that encourages growth in a safe way.
Vonderheide
The County would be better positioned for future success. My focus is on infrastructure needs. It was my focus as Mayor of Jasper, and we made significant improvements over those seven years. The improvements were made by existing staff and community members committed to executing the long-range comprehensive plan.
The County and the City of Jasper are both updating their long-range plans currently. If, at the end of my time in office we have made significant progress toward the priorities set forth by the residents, then I will feel good about the “state of the county.”
I believe there are a number of priorities that exist today that need to be addressed, but without the perseverance and leadership needed, they seem to get stalled and remain for future consideration.
We need to focus on the priorities and be innovative when necessary to achieve the goal. There are funding resources that we need to explore going forward that we’ve not considered in the past.
Being creative and getting our fair share of funds that we send to the Federal Government and the State Government is something we need to hold as a goal. Otherwise, the money we send to the Fed and State gets used elsewhere, and we are not seeing the benefits of our contributions.
Our communities within Dubois County are strong, but we can be better.
I recently stated we had lost over 1,000 jobs in the past 5 years. We must wake up to this fact and find ways to retain existing and attract new industries to the area. We need to continue building the infrastructure needed to provide a quality lifestyle, with good incomes, educational opportunities, utility upgrades, safety and security, and recreational /wellness activities.
I hope to see a financially and physically healthier population in our county, thriving industries, and a county that can be a model for others to follow.
4. The Mid-States Corridor has generated significant debate in our region. What is your position on the Mid-States Corridor?
Uebelhor
My position has been, and continues to be, against the proposed Mid-States Corridor. Many people have voiced their opposition to this project. Being their elected official, I feel it is my responsibility to represent them and let their voices be heard. These individuals have voiced concerns on several parts of this project. There are several safety concerns that have failed to be addressed, particularly the J-turn and other intersections. Additionally, the cost to the county when U.S. 231 is abandoned by INDOT is going to severely strain the county budget and force
us to use funds otherwise planned for other necessary projects.
Vonderheide
As Mayor of Jasper, I received many letters and phone calls from people on opposite sides of the debate. I had no vote. We were part of the RDA funding to initiate the Tier 1 study. The study was completed, and Tier 2 is being finalized. At the end of the Tier 1 study, INDOT and the Federal Highway Administration made the decision to build a new road.
It has been the City of Jasper’s position as well as mine that we would focus on what we can control, as outlined in our Transportation Plan, with or without the Mid-States Corridor. It would be irresponsible to act as though the Mid-States wasn’t happening when we are being told in every meeting that it is. We have to manage or influence access and future development along the Mid-States.
I have difficulty believing anyone who says we don’t have a traffic problem in Jasper.
I wish people understood the negative economics we face because we’ve lost local ownership of several of our larger manufacturers, thus losing C-Suite salaries and corporate funds, which helped contribute and sustain the needs locally for municipalities and county government.
When companies are looking to expand to new locations, some of the initial criteria to qualify include having access to a 4-lane roadway. We need industries to look at Dubois County as a great place to locate, not avoid us.
I do feel strongly that the Mid-States Corridor is critical to our future success. I do also empathize with those whose property is impacted. My position is that we must prepare for the Mid-States and not ignore the problems that exist today and will be compounded in the future.
5. Infrastructure projects of this scale often bring both opportunity and disruption. If the Mid-States Corridor moves forward, what specific commitments would you want secured for Dubois County — including the disposition of U.S. 231?
Uebelhor
If the Mid-States Corridor moves forward, the county could be responsible for maintaining the current U.S. 231 infrastructure. I would want the county to be compensated in some form to continue the maintenance of the road. Local traffic will continue to utilize the road, and regular maintenance will need to continue for driver safety. The additional mileage of highway roads that the county highway department will need to absorb into their budget will be difficult, if not impossible, without some additional funding source.
Vonderheide
The disposition of U.S. 231 is an opportunity, not a mandate, for the county or any municipality. If it makes good financial sense after completing the analysis, then let’s move forward. If it doesn’t make good economic sense, then we should be prepared for the consequences of our decision. I would hope there is a thorough analysis completed with regard to cost/benefit.
There are so many variables to consider, but what we know today is that local governments don’t have the funding to contribute toward the Mid-States Corridor. We would need to rely on Federal and State funding for the project to launch.
6. County Commissioners oversee a wide range of county properties and services, from the highway department to the health department. What do you see as the single most pressing infrastructure or facilities need in Dubois County right now, and how would you prioritize it within the constraints of the county budget?
Uebelhor
Unfortunately, there are multiple buildings and departments that are in need of repair and updating. The highway department needs more space to function optimally. The solid waste building is in need of repair, but the building that is most in need of attention is the courthouse. In recent years, this building has had more issues that needed attention than other buildings. To adequately address and resolve all of the issues, several projects will need to be completed.
Vonderheide
I feel the most pressing need across the County is completing the long-range comprehensive plan and establishing prioritization based upon available resources. This could lead to an analysis for zoning requirements across the county.
I already commented on the influence we have on the Mid-States Corridor connections/interchanges.
I would add the Regional Sewer District establishment of plans and goals to address the public health and environmental impact needs of the county is critical
7. Commissioners are responsible for helping to establish salary and wage classifications for county employees. Given the current competition for qualified workers, how would you approach keeping county positions funded and staffed at a level that maintains quality services for residents?
Uebelhor
I was on the council during the last wage study ten years ago, and the current wage study being conducted. Both times, my goal was to determine what the employees valued in the wage/benefit package, what was comparable to other similar positions in similar counties, and what the budget could handle. In the current wage study, we sent a survey to all county employees asking several questions pertaining to their preferences on wages and benefits. I plan to use this information along with the results of the study to make needed adjustments to positions in the county. As commissioner, I will work closely with the council to make sure wages and benefits are competitive to help retain and attract qualified employees.
Vonderheide
I see this as similar to the approaches taken by businesses. Total compensation is a real differentiator. Though extremely important, it doesn’t focus only on the wage but also on the benefits offered, like healthcare, vision, dental, short-term disability, long-term disability, etc. Time-off policies are under close scrutiny, as they should be regarding vacation, holidays, personal days, maternity and paternity leave, etc. Retirement plans are important to retain employees. Though these seem to be the “menu” items potential employees consider, my experience has been that if you “care” about employees’ personal development and take actions to improve their marketability for the jobs they wish to pursue, they will remain with you. An annual review with each employee by their supervisor is a must to define an agreed-upon path forward. If we show employees we care and we treat them with respect as a part of the organization, we will develop future leaders. A good leader will reduce turnover and attract talent to the organization. Focus on putting the right people in the right place.
