Fellow Vanderburgh County Residents:

Speaking as a former candidate for public office and a precinct committeeman within the Republican Party, I wanted to weigh in on a critical race that affects all of us in Vanderburgh County. Considering my profession, many have asked for me to give my opinion in the commissioner race in light of Marsha Abell’s recent remark that ‘high-tech computer people don’t produce a dime’, so I felt compelled write a few lines to respond to those many requests. Of course, we all know that the technology field is in fact both productive and desirable for cities such as Evansville and it’s certainly bringing in ample tax revenue. But, it is also changing rapidly and still in its infancy, so it’s sometimes hard to understand all of the elements of it and how critical it now is to our infrastructure.

High-tech computer fields like those represented by my business integriCORE, are taught right here in Evansville at local colleges and universities like USI where I got my degree. They are critical to providing the necessary infrastructure for companies and organizations that I work with, for example, which specialize in all types of productive enterprise from small businesses to healthcare and educational institutions. These businesses and organizations also employ many hard-working taxpaying citizens who raise families and spend money here helping to make our community better. In fact, I recall seeing a recent survey that found a pluarality of the higher income fields nationwide are in the ‘high-tech’ categories and attracting them would absoulutely be a net positive for our community. I’m certain that despite what she said, Mrs. Abell must understand the underlying positive impact these types of businesses and this type of industry has on Evansville. Plus, she has to know that it would negatively impact businesses in those fields trying to relocate to Evansville if someone in government leadership were aversed to them being here.

To give an example, I was aware of a particular situation recently where a premiere high-tech provider of electronic and computer equipment, Newegg.com, recently shopped around Indiana because of our pro-business low-tax nature, but they ultimately settled on Indianapolis for a new facility. Had someone in Evansville who understood and was favorable to those needs been reaching out to Newegg.com, those 150 high-tech jobs starting at no less than $11.25/hour could have been added to the tax base here. Furthermore, we all know that our statewide ‘brain-drain’ problem can always use a correction.

As someone who had helped with previous campaigns of Marsha’s (still even having the campaign t-shirt), I am not sure if she realized her comment that “our community cannot survive on retired people” would affect so many. I just recently met someone who followed his retired parents here from California and he and his siblings are very productive citizens appreciative of our community, so the free market will certainly work these things out naturally over time. I’ve known others who have retired here because it is known as a great place to retire to and listed as a top destination for retirees. Plus, we all know that retired folks have paid in incredible amounts in taxes over their lives already and still do with property taxes regardless of their profession, not to mention purchases, which help local businesses to pay taxes locally.

So, considering the proximity of these controversial statements to the primary election, I was sure that Mrs. Abell would issue a retraction which was offered by the City County Observer like was done with the medical school location controversy. However, it appeared that another course was chosen when at a similar meeting where she was speaking they mandated recording devices be turned off completely to avoid further comments being recorded. All things considered, it became abundantly clear that we need a few changes in leadership because we need a consistent messenger and forward thinker interested in “good public policy”.  Now more than ever, we need someone who will take a more inclusive view of their fellow citizens they represent, regardless of their profession or status within the community. I wish nothing but the best to Marsha Abell personally as she and those in her family that I know are good people, but for the sake of Vanderburgh County another voice is needed at this time to better represent us.

So, as primary day approaches us quickly on this upcoming Tuesday, I believe we all should weigh these important factors before voting and consider Bruce Ungethiem as being worthy of your vote. More than a decade ago, Bruce and I were both concurrent volunteers in the John Hostettler campaign and as long as I’ve known him he has been a steadfast supporter a limited, transparent, and accountable government. This leaves no doubt to me and many others that he is clearly a committed Republican. We all got to know more about Bruce’s work ethic and principled stand with the CORE (Citizens Opposing Reorganization of Evansville) effort opposing the expansion of governmental power in fewer hands that would have inevitably happened if the city and county had been consolidated. Bruce has shown that he can gather people to work together on issues when 2 out of every 3 of the citizens in Vanderburgh County voted with him against consolidation. He even took it another step further in working with Governor Mike Pence who then signed the Government Modernization Act reducing the chances of consolidation happening in the future in Evansville and Vanderburgh County.

We are also extremely fortunate to have someone as a candidate in the race with a clear vision that has attracted numerous groups like the Fraternal Order of Police and Farm Bureau to fully endorse him. It is also great see such a committed family man with a history of putting his community first as a volunteer fireman running in the race. He will also bring to the table the many decades at an Evansville business like Mead Johnson and all the business experience that entails. It is clear that Bruce Ungethiem will take a reasonable approach to handling county government and his accolades in so many areas all make him an excellent candidate. I encourage my fellow voters to cast your vote for Bruce Ungethiem as I believe he will be someone who will do what his website says: he will listen to the people; he will do things right; and most importantly: he will do the right things.

Sincerely,

Sean Selby

Evansville, IN

Editors Footnote: This letter is posted by the CCO, Without opinion, bias or editing. The CCO invites any candidate or their supporters to submit a letter to the editor and we will publish.