With early voting underway ahead of the May 7 primary, all four Republican candidates for County Commissioner District 1 took part in a forum Thursday night at DePauw University. 
Candidates Andy Beck, Brad Buchanan, David Fuhrman and Don Hatfield shared their ideas about needs facing the county, county land use regulations protecting residents, government transparency and also gave their reasons why they should be the one to represent the Republican party in the November general election. 

Beck told those in attendance he was running to give back to a county that had given him so much. 

"I want to give back by serving in the public role, help make decisions and help benefit all people of Putnam County. Also, I will do my best to represent and oversee the budget and policy making functions of our county. I will make sure you are listened to and heard," Beck said. 

Hatfield touched on his experience as the former director of planning and zoning for the county in his opening statement. 

"I drove all around Putnam County doing inspections and meeting people. I like living here and see what I can to do to help it grow and stay on the right path," Hatfield said. 

Fuhrman also touched on his prior experience in county government during his opening statement. 

"I am the best candidate for the office. I am not a single issue candidate, haven't been in jail and don't need a job. What I can offer is 12 years on the council, last stint as president. We, as a team, balanced the budget without any new bonds or loans. Experience counts. County management is more complex each and every year. On day one, I will save the county at least $20,000 because I will not accept the health benefits and I challenge my opponents to do the same. I don't think a part time job should get full time benefits," Fuhrman said.

Buchanan informed voters about his time on the county council, as well.

"We achieved great things. I was the vice president for all four years. Besides the roads and bridges, energy is a big issue facing us right now. Putnam County first is my slogan," Buchanan said. 

When it came to the top three needs facing the county, the candidates offered various responses, but all four agreed at some point, a courthouse annex needs to become a reality. 

Hatfield said the county needs a code enforcement officer, while Fuhrman said bridges, pay for law enforcement and first responders, road maintenance, broadband and maintenance for covered bridges were the needs. Buchanan said roads and bridges, as well as looking for more grants to help offset costs, along with broadband, intelligent growth and energy. 

Beck said the roads and bridges need to be fixed, but people need to understand how the gas tax affects the fixing of roads and bridges. 

Hatfield said he believes all the candidates are on the same page about the need of an annex. 

Furhman said he is no longer for the annex.

"I was on the original study committee for the courthouse annex. Initially I was for it, but I can't say I am for it anymore. I look at the courthouse and I see a lot of unused space, a lot of large counters, and I think for the foreseeable future, we can make the current courthouse more efficient and have a storage facility for our documents. I think the price of a new annex is better spent for the bridge issue I've talked about before," Fuhrman said. 

All the candidates agreed Putnam County is changing and the county's land use regulations are also changing. 

"Land use regulations is an evolving concept because the needs of the county and the residents and landowners change over time. I am not going to speak to a specific regulation. This election is coming down to one issue and I feel that -- I spent 21 years in the Marine Corps and freedom is an important concept and when a landowner is told he cannot do something that is legal, I have a problem with that. Regulating what someone can or cannot do with their property is an issue that strikes pretty deep and I think it's a slippery slope," Furhman said. 

Buchanan noted the county finds itself in the midst of an "ever changing society."

"You have to have growth, but it needs to be intelligently done and correctly. We are an ever changing society. I think the rural areas need to be preserved, to a degree. I can accept the facts that there are certain things that don't fit in certain areas. There has to be some guidance," Buchanan said. 

Beck said there are plenty of laws currently and with the zoning board and the newly formed UDO board, Putnam County is "well protected."

Hatfield said it was his belief the county permit process needed to be tightened up. 

"I ran into a guy in the county once that built a whole house, but a septic system in and put a well in and didn't get a permit or anything. He looked at me and said the fine would be cheaper than the well and the septic. There is a lot that can be done in the county. I'm on the same page with these guys, nobody likes to be told what they can do on their property," Hatfield said. 

The question of government transparency came up with all candidates saying it was their belief the county officials were doing a good job of being open with constituents. 

However, if there was one area of improvement, it could be getting more people to attend meetings. 

"Look in this room, we have less than 30 people who are interested. Commissioner meetings are somewhat full. Council meetings hardly ever have someone there unless they have a specific issue. I think we are as transparent as we can be. We probably need to be more outgoing in getting people involved," Furhman said. 

The primary is scheduled for May 7.