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Watchdog
Lebanon Home Page 2004
Boone County Candidates 2002-03
Boone County CandidatesCharles Eaton (Taxpayer UNfriendly)
Watchdog Indiana Home Page
Watchdog
Lebanon Home Page 2004
Boone County Candidates 2002-03
Boone County Candidates
Address: 135 Ulen Blvd., Lebanon, IN 46052
Phone: 765-482-7170
E-mail: cheulen@hotmail.com
November 2, 2004, Boone County Commissioners General Election Questionnaire:
Question #1: What is your opinion of the Duke
Realty I-65 Project? Specifically, would you sign a petition to initiate the
petition and
remonstrance process so all Boone County real property owners can make the
final decision to issue any Tax Increment Financing bonds to subsidize the I-65
Project?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record: (April 7, 2004, Lebanon
Reporter; April 21, 2004, Lebanon Reporter; April 21, 2004,
Candidates Forum) Candidate Eaton is generally
in favor of the Duke Realty I-65 Project, but
he led an effort to have the Boone County
Council pay for an independent analysis of the Project
to help make certain the interests of all Boone County citizens are protected.
He feels that growth in the I-65 area needs to be controlled, well reasoned, and
defined. Candidate Eaton feels the use of impact fees is important so those
getting the benefits of development are fully involved in helping on the cost
side of the ledger. He believes the county, municipalities, and townships need
to work together to secure the kind of growth that the majority will find
acceptable. (October 20, 2004, Lebanon Reporter) The estimated build
out of the project will take 15 to 20 years. That would indicate a rate that
would be orderly and that could be absorbed with
minimal disruption. The recent purchase of the
first 300 acres with options on the balance through the year 2013 seems to
reinforce the notion of a steady approach. The financing of needed
infrastructure will be key to the project and to the county. The redevelopment
commission will play an important role, approving bonds in excess of $3 million.
The bonds will be backed by Duke. I have great confidence in the commission.
Question #2: Do you support a new Local Option Highway User
Tax (or "wheel tax")
on all vehicles registered in the County?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record: Candidate Eaton declined
as County Council President during a May 13, 2003, meeting to entertain a motion
on a Wheel Tax until the impact of property reassessment is known. He
had heard nothing regarding the Wheel Tax from the other local governing bodies
in Boone County. He also stated that all taxpayer input he had received was
against the Wheel Tax. He agreed that a Wheel Tax might be reconsidered in
a few months depending on how much future revenue is received. He had a
heated exchange with a Purdue University Local Technical Assistance Program
representative regarding efforts to implement a state requirement for the Wheel
Tax to be imposed in order to receive proceeds from any Gas Tax increase. He
pointedly put the LTAP representative in his place as a result of checking with
State Representative Jeff Thompson to determine that a Wheel Tax requirement to
receive Gas Tax proceeds is unconstitutional.
Question #3: What portion of County
Option Income Tax revenue should be returned to the Boone
County Highway Department as a funding source? Should any of the County's
Rainy Day Fund be dedicated to the needs of the Highway Department?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record: Candidate Eaton was
President of the County Council that stopped allocating
COIT money to the Highway Department in 2003.
Question #4: Do you support using COIT
revenue to provide an increase in the homestead credit on our property tax
bills by an amount up to 8% (i.e. from 20% to 28%) as allowed by Indiana Code IC
6-3.5-6-13 (b)?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record: None.
Question #5: Should the County Commissioners be required to
get pre-approval from the County Council before exceeding their legal
services budget?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record (April 7, 2004, Lebanon
Reporter): Candidate Eaton said the County Council
is responsible for appropriating funds and the County Commissioners must first
seek approval.
Question #6: What should be done to absorb the 2007
reduction in inventory tax revenue without a property tax or individual income
tax increase?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record: None.
Question #7: Do you support a "convention
center" at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds? If so, how do you think it
should be paid for?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record :Candidate Eaton
cast a November 18, 2002, County Council vote in favor
of building the proposed "convention center."
Question #8: Is the Lebanon
Public Library Board member appointed by the Boone County Commissioners
doing a good enough job of representing all the interests of affected residents?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record: Voted on September
14, 2004, as President of the Boone County Council to reappoint
Jane Myers to the Lebanon Public Library Board
in spite of her leadership efforts to construct an overbuilt and extravagant
addition to the Lebanon Public Library.
Question #9: Do you see any potential conflict-of-interest
issues that could arise during your term as commissioner?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record (Itemized 2004
Campaign Contributions as of October 8, 2004): Mrs. Alfred Stokely (Zionsville)
$200. Dr. James Strickland (Zionsville) $200. Martha O'Connor (Indianapolis)
$300. Eagle Creek Nature Conservancy and Preservation, Inc. (Zionsville) $500.
Geisler Trucking (Lebanon) $500. Traders Point Farm Estates, LLC (Zionsville)
$500. Frank A. Hoffman (Zionsville) $1,500. J & W Brant (Zionsville) $250. W
& S Chapman (Zionsville) $500.
Question #10: If elected as County Commissioner, will
you run for a different elected office during your term as County Commissioner?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record: Candidate Eaton is
currently a County Council Member for District 3. If elected County
Commissioner, the ten Republican precinct
chairmen in District 3 would select Candidate Eaton's replacement for the final
two years of his term.
Question #11: Do you wish to make some additional comments
about your candidacy? Do you have a website? What is your preferred E-mail
address?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. Record: (October 20, 2004, Lebanon
Reporter) Elected officials have a fiduciary responsibility to the voters
and taxpayers to be good stewards of the tax monies they administer. While they
all have this responsibility, the commissioners are the purchasing agents and must
maximize the use of competitive bidding, not
just when it is required by statute. Bid specifications need to be broad enough
to include as many potential suppliers as
possible. In those instances where they opt to
delegate a portion of this activity, they need to be vigilant when auditing and
authorizing the payment of claims to be sure that best practices are being
adhered to. (October 26, 2004, Indianapolis Star) The top issue is
zoning. Boone County is in the process of potential explosive growth due to the
resolution of the utility problem. The challenge will be to control the growth,
so we do not end up with massive sprawl and traffic congestion like that around
I-69 and 96th Street. It will take a cooperative effort working together with
the Area Planning Commission, the Redevelopment Commission and the County
Commissioners. It will require serious planning, which has not been a strength
in the past. I believe that I can be effective in implementing this process.
May 4, 2004, Boone County Commissioners Republican Primary Election Questionnaire:
Question #1: What is your opinion of the I-65
Duke Realty Project? Specifically, do you think it is appropriate for TIF
bonds to pay for residential development and internal roads?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. RECORD (April 7, 2004 Lebanon Reporter; April 21 Lebanon
Reporter, April 21 Candidates Forum): Candidate Eaton is generally in favor
of the I-65 Duke Realty Project, but he favors an
outside firm of finance and land use professionals to study the Project
to help make certain the interests of all Boone County citizens are protected.
He feels that growth in the I-65 area needs to be controlled, well reasoned, and
defined. He appears to support a Comprehensive Plan update
rather than the Planned Unit Development approach. Candidate Eaton feels the
use of impact fees is important so those getting the benefits of
development are fully involved in helping on the cost side of the ledger. He
believes the county, municipalities, and townships need to work together to
secure the kind of growth that the majority will find acceptable.
Question #2: What is the best way for utility services to be
provided along I-65 between State Road 334 and State Road 267?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. RECORD (April 7, 2004 Lebanon Reporter):
Candidate Eaton opposes county ownership of Boone
County Utilities. He does not support the commissioners' lawsuit against
Whitestown relating to alleged open door violations.
Question #3: Do you support a new Local Option Highway User
Tax (or "wheel tax")
on all vehicles registered in the County? Specifically, should a wheel tax be
imposed to help Duke Realty build roads in its proposed I-65 Project?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. RECORD: Candidate Eaton declined
as County Council President during a May 13, 2003, meeting to entertain a motion
on a Wheel Tax until the impact of property reassessment is known. He
had heard nothing regarding the Wheel Tax from the other local governing bodies
in Boone County. He also stated that all taxpayer input he had received was
against the Wheel Tax. He agreed that a Wheel Tax might be reconsidered in
a few months depending on how much future revenue is received. He had a
heated exchange with a Purdue University Local Technical Assistance Program
representative regarding efforts to implement a state requirement for the Wheel
Tax to be imposed in order to receive proceeds from any Gas Tax increase. He
pointedly put the LTAP representative in his place as a result of checking with
State Representative Jeff Thompson to determine that a Wheel Tax requirement to
receive Gas Tax proceeds is unconstitutional.
Question #4: What portion of COIT
revenue should be returned to the Boone
County Highway Department as a funding source? Should any of the County's
Rainy Day Fund be dedicated to the needs of the Highway Department?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. RECORD: Candidate Eaton was President of the County
Council that stopped allocating COIT money to the Highway Department
in 2003.
Question #5: Do you support using COIT revenue to provide an
increase in the homestead credit on our property tax bills by an amount up to 8%
(i.e. from 20% to 28%) as allowed by Indiana Code IC 6-3.5-6-13 (b)?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND.
Question #6: Should the County Commissioners be required to
get pre-approval from the County Council before exceeding their legal services
budget?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. RECORD (April 7, 2004, Lebanon Reporter):
Candidate Eaton said the County Council is responsible
for appropriating funds and the County Commissioners must first seek approval.
Question #7: What should be done to absorb the 2007
reduction in inventory tax revenue without a property tax or individual income
tax increase?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND.
Question #8: Do you support a "convention
center" at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds? If so, how do you think it
should be paid for?
Charles Eaton - DID
NOT RESPOND. RECORD: Candidate Eaton cast a November 18, 2002, County
Council vote in favor of building the proposed
"convention center."
Question #9: Is there a shortage of ambulances in Boone
County? If so, what solution do you propose?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND.
Question #10: Is the Lebanon
Public Library Board member appointed by the Boone County Commissioners
doing a good enough job of representing all the interests of affected residents?
Specifically, should the Commissioners' appointed member be supporting the
establishment of a leasing corporation to own an expanded library
building in order to circumvent state law that will not allow the
Board to borrow $8 million.
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND.
Question #11: Do you wish to make some additional comments
about your candidacy? Do you have a website? What is your preferred E-mail
address?
Charles Eaton - DID NOT RESPOND.
November 5, 2002, Boone County Council District 3 General Election Questionnaire:
1. Do you support an increase in the homestead credit on our property tax
bills by an amount up to 8% (i.e. from 20% to 28% in 2003) as allowed by Indiana
Code IC 6-3.5-6-13 (b)?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
2. As it is now, we are spending more money on attorneys than we are on all
our judges combined. What are you going to do to help stop this waste of money?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
3. If the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission revokes the Boone County
Utility certificate of territorial authority, how much money are you willing to
spend for a County-controlled regional water and sewer district?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
4. Assuming you follow through with your desire to build a "convention
center" at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds, how do you think this project
should be paid for?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
5. During its special session earlier this year, Indiana’s General Assembly
concocted a complex scheme to eliminate the Inventory Tax through (a) a
phased-in property tax shift to all other types of property through an increased
property tax rate and (b) a shift (in those counties choosing to do so) to a tax
on the income of individuals through the establishment or increase of a County
Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT). The County currently does not impose
the CEDIT. Because of all the distribution centers in Boone County, the
inventory tax shift to homeowner property taxes would be particularly onerous.
Will you support a County Council resolution directing the General Assembly to
find a better way to eliminate the Inventory Tax?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
6. Do you support a new County Economic Development Income Tax?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
7. Do you support a new Local Option Highway User Tax (or "wheel
tax") on all vehicles registered in the County?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
8. Do you support an increase in the Emergency Telephone System (E911) fee?
If so, how much?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
9. Do you support the creation of a Boone County animal shelter? If so, how
will you pay for it?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
10. Do you wish to make some additional comments about your candidacy? Do you
have a website? What is your preferred E-mail address?
Eaton: DID NOT RESPOND.
Candidate Eaton is not results-oriented, compassionate, and fiscally conservative. In the present environment where county revenues are decreasing, Candidate Eaton does not favor reduced spending so the county can live within its means. Candidate Eaton is cheerfully poised to increase both county spending and taxes.
On April 29,2002, there was a joint meeting of the Boone County Board of Commissioners, County Council, and Tourism Council. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss funding options for the proposed "convention center." During the middle of this meeting, Commissioner Wendy Brant stood up, walked around the table, and whispered something in the ear of Charles Eaton, who nodded in apparent agreement. No public comment was made about what transpired between the two of them, but this action demonstrated to me how Charles Eaton and Wendy Brant have a few disturbing characteristics in common.
Charles Eaton, like Wendy Brant, has his heart in the right place. However, he is prone to excessive gathering of data, and then analyzing that data in such a way as to identify "conspiracies" where there really are none. Charles Eaton also can react in a petulant manner towards someone who has an opinion different than his.
At least District 3 voters have the comforting opinion of a local barber to fall back on. This barber was asked who he supports for County Council. The barber quickly pointed out that there is a choice between a Democrat and a Republican. When told that party is not important, and after being asked who is the best man for the job, the barber, who almost always has an immediate answer for everything, actually hesitated – and finally stated that both Charles Eaton and his opponent are good men.
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This page was last updated on 03/19/10 .