PETE SWAIM RESPONSES TO CCO POLITICAL SURVEY‏

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CANDIDATE PETE SWAIM SURVEY RESPONDES

Before I gladly answer your questions, I would ask in all fairness for an apology and posted correction to you previously calling me “Bruce Swaim.” This was done on your April 7 page announcing the CCO has sent out these questions to the 4th  District County Council Candidates. I would think you would first of all want to be accurate and in no way mislead the voters of Vanderburgh County.

With that said, here are the responses submitted by Peter M. Swaim, County Council Vice-President and District 4 County Council Member to the City County Observer.

1) Why do you feel that you can do an effective job as our next 4th District County Council member?  

Without a doubt I can do the most effective job. I’ve been doing it for the last three years. As Vice-President of the County Council, I’m proud of how all the council members have worked together with office holders and department heads, regardless of political party to hold the line on spending despite shrinking revenues and the state imposed tax caps, we’ve been able to make $4 ½ million in real cash cuts to the current county budget. We have been able to do this with NO reductions in county services, layoffs or spending of any of the county’s Rainy Day Funds. So, my question to you is why would anyone want to make a change in those doing that kind of job for the residents of Vanderburgh County?

2)  Explain why your education and professional expertise’s that qualifies you take on the task of leading our county in a positive direction for the next 4 years.

I earned two Bachelor’s Degrees from the University of Evansville during my 29 years on the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. I later served as Executive Director of Evansville’s Department of Transportation and Services, managing 8 departments with a work force of over 200, when fully staffed. We were responsible for street maintenance, snow removal, cemeteries and traffic light maintenance, among other things. During that time I saved the city taxpayers over $1.2 million in energy and maintenance costs by installing L.E.D. traffic lights throughout the city.  I was nominated by Former President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the United States Marshal for the Southern District of Indiana, serving in that capacity for nearly 5 years. I was then elected by Republican Precinct Committeemen to the 4th District County Council seat.

 3)  Tell our readers what you feel are the strengths about your opponent.

I can’t tell your readers what I think, either good or bad, about someone I don’t know, would be improper.

4)  Tell our readers what you think are the short comings of your opponent?  

See above answer.

5)  What are the main challenges the county faces for the next 4 years?

Obviously the overall money crunch and its impact on paying for the operation and maintenance of county services.

 6)  Whats your stance on future tax increases for the next 4 years?

My stance on tax increases is simple, I don’t believe in them and we don’t need them.

 7)  What areas of county government can we make creative cuts to help keep budgets in line with income stream?

This is a process I’ve been involved in for the past three years. That’s when the council began asking office holders and department heads to cut their operating budgets by 3 to 5 per cent. We’ve also expected them to cut staff through attrition. This has been very successful and will continue. These cuts have resulted in a 3 per cent reduction in county property taxes for 2014.

 8)  What new county funded programs do you think you should consider during the next 4 years?

There is a project in the works that will make Burdette Park, that undiscovered jewel of the west side, a major attraction and an income producing destination, rather than merely a place for picnics and a dip in the pool. I also like the possibility of a West Side Sheriff’s Sub-Station that could be operated from Burdette Park since we already own the property.

9)  Do you feel elected county officials should or shouldn’t be allowed to hire family members to work in county funded job positions..

We are required each year to sign a compliance agreement prohibiting the employment of family members as county employees. That document speaks for itself.

10)  Whats your stance on political patronage appointments? 

Political patronage appointments are decisions each office holder has to make for themselves. My goal is to simply employ the most qualified person who applies for the job.

11)  Do you feel that any candidate running for public office should or shouldn’t accept political donations from anybody doing business with the County?

Same criteria applies as the answer above.

12) Do you feel that profession services such as general liability and health insurance, engineering and architectural services, grading and paving work and sewer installation work should be should be formally bid out? 

YES!

13)  Closing remarks shall cover any issues about your campaign as deemed necessary.

It is important to know I am currently working closely with the County Commissioners on two long term projects. Once finished they will provide considerable savings as well as producing new income for the residents of Vanderburgh County

It is also important for the taxpayers to know that my opponent, as a member of the Convention and Visitor’s board voted to award a $6 ½ million dollar contract for work on the new ball park complex to the same construction company being sued by the county, for failing to make good it’s work on the North Green River Road widening project. Not only is this irresponsible use of the taxpayer’s money, IT’S JUST PLAIN WRONG!

My faithful years of public service, I believe should warrant your vote on May 6th.

15 COMMENTS

  1. Excellent information to ponder before voting. Thanks for a reply to and adding a little fire to this political race!

  2. I feel anyone who wont answer this survey doesn’t need our vote, at leastnow I have a decision to make.

  3. If anybody owes an apology its you Pete Swaim. You need to make a public apology to the citizens of the 4th Ward for backing out on going on the CCO and Woods and Woods Tri-State Voices program. What are you hiding? It must be you don’t want the voters to see your tax and spend voting record.

    Are you kidding me that your upset because someone called you Bruce.

    I hope Mr. MONTRASTELLE beats you like a drum. It’s time that the voters send you and your running mate Marsha Abell packing.

  4. Just read Me. Swaim answers to the CCO questions and must say he did a good job.

    However, I have decided to vote for his opponent because he decided not to go on the CCO TV show with his opponent. Seems like Wayne Parke and Marsha Abell telling him not to go on this show has cost him a vote.

  5. I agree with Blue Badge that Mr. Swaim is the one who owes someone apology. Just sorry I don’t live in his district so I can vote again him.

    • I didn’t realize the Lamasco Bar opened this early.

      As soon as you figure out where you live civil, please let us know if you’ll be voting for McConnell or Grimes.

      Thanks, your ole buddy Reg…………

    • To Civil Servant…In your 9:22 post you claim that you are going to vote for Pete Swaim’s opponent because he didn’t go on the CCO TV show. You follow-up with another post at 9:26 claiming that you don’t live in his district. Are you a little confused????

  6. Hello Earth To Mars I just read that Mr. Swaim is upset because someone made an error and called him Bruce. Wonder what he would do if he found out what other people have called him since he been in office? Hello Earth To Mars.

  7. Vote for Bruce “Pete” Swaim for 4th District County Council. No, vote for Pete “Bruce’ Swaim for 4th District County Council. Vote for the guy who has the last name Swaim. If I made a none thinking mistake with the posting of the correct sir name of Mr. Swaim i hereby make a public apology.

  8. Pete, I’m voting for you and last week I got 7 people to vote for you and 3 this week (1 is a new voter though). Let me tell you what I think is good and bad in your responses…

    Bad

    – Don’t complain about the “Bruce” thing. It was an honest mistake and wasn’t even mocking you. You came off kind of arrogant there.

    – You don’t know your opponent? Yes, you do. Did you vote for his ball fields? Please call him out on that. These fields are a mistake of a lifetime.

    Good

    – Liked the way you called him out on the ball fields contract.

    – Liked the efficiencies you talked about

    Other

    I appreciate you coming to the Roberts Stadium subcommittee meeting I was on. I appreciate you standing behind Roberts. You my friend, I will defend!

  9. Sorry I can’t vote in the 4th District County election because I live in the 3rd District.

    But I do know I can vote against Marsha Abell because she in running At Large.

  10. Hey guys please leave Bruce Swaim along and let him run the campaign that Wayne Parke and Marsha Abell told him to run.

  11. Calm down Gallagher civil servant acknowledged he made a mistake about his voting District
    Looks like you need to take a long vacation to Fla.

    • Tire Man…looks like you have a little inside information…as in maybe you are one of the editors. Seems like anytime I post something on the CCO that the Editor doesn’t like it is followed up by a threatening phone call…Call me instead of my spouse this time…you have my number 🙂

  12. Bruce answered the survey but ducked the Woods & Woods show. I’m sure Bruce can think on his feet when he needs to. Hope we get to see it if the opportunity presents itself again.

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