Hospital sale central concern in Floyd races

The potential sale of Floyd Memorial Hospital to Baptist Health is the primary topic of conversation among candidates vying for county council and commissioner nominations in Floyd County.

There will be three at-large county council seats up for grabs in the November election, and six Republicans and four Democrats are vying for a chance to compete this fall. On May 3, Floyd County voters will select three Democrats and three Republicans to advance.

The race for county commissioner is much less contentious, with two Republican candidates running to face Democrat Chuck Freiberger, who is unopposed, in the general election.

All candidates focused on the nearly $150 million sale of Floyd Memorial to Baptist Health. Some said they want to block the deal entirely.

The speculation and concerns stem from the deal made public in March, but still not ratified by the county council, commissioners, Floyd Memorial and Baptist Health. Although some council members have speculated about how the money - including an immediate $75 million at closing - should be spent, no decision has been made by Floyd leaders.

The county has also faced budget shortfalls in the recent years, and some candidates offered ways the council could spend more wisely within county departments.

Candidates include current council members, local business owners, community leaders and the Floyd County coroner. Read more about each candidate

Floyd county commissioner District 2 Republican candidates, representing Lafayette and Greenville

John Schellenberger, 64, is a current council member, a local bookkeeper and owner of Embroidery Solutions USA in Greenville. He worked for AT&T for almost 30 years.

Schellenberger said his more than 10 years on the council will be instrumental in dealing with capital projects that have been delayed or canceled due to limited revenue. He said some of the $3.7 million Floyd County will see after the passage of Indiana's Senate Bill 67 -- which changed local income tax distributions -- will go toward road construction, maintenance and repairs. He hopes to apply for matching state and federal grants to accomplish much-needed repairs.

"We need to strategically spend some of the hospital sale proceeds on a prioritized list of capital projects, save the remaining principal and charter an investment plan to protect the principal... " Schellenberger said.

Cam Wright, 25, also is a council member and serves as vice president. He's also treasurer of the Floyd County Young Republicans and works in Louisville as an eBranch representative at Park Community Credit Union.

"Since working on the council, I have noticed that we need to have better and more open lines of communication between the council, commissioners and county government," Wright said. "...My generation is looking for leaders with solutions, not gridlock."

He hopes to fix those communication issues, as well as make sure the county properly handles the sale of Floyd Memorial - which Wright said will "open up new doors and new challenges."

Floyd County Council at-large Republican candidates

Dale Bagshaw, 64, is a self-employed contractor and has served on various boards, both government and community-related. He said as a business owner, he knows about budgets, as well as how to communicate and compromise with others.

"Floyd County needs to figure out a way to do the things the government needs to do in the most cost-efficient way," Bagshaw said. "Of course, the sale of the hospital is on everyone's mind."

He said proceeds from the sale should be set aside in a fund that would allow the county to collect interest on the several million dollars, "setting up future generations well."

Danita Burks, 53, has been an administrator at Kids First for eight years. She said skills she's learned as a mom of three sons, an administrator and community leader gives her the perspective necessary to run for the Floyd County Council.

She said she hopes to "be a voice for the people in this community."

Burks said she thinks "wisdom needs to be used in decision making, not emotions." One major issue she said the county is facing is the hospital sale, but didn't say how she would handle it.

Shawn Carruthers, 47, is the secretary of the Floyd County Republican party and said he and his wife, Ann, are active in their church and community. Carruthers said he's qualified for the council position because he's served on "both sides of the business environment." He said he started his own mortgage company and was also a driver for Frito Lay, and served with the company as a union steward.

Carruthers said county government needs to focus on the "transformational" sale of the hospital.

"... I know with cooperation and standing with our Hoosier values, we can accomplish great things as a community."

Adam Roberts, 42, lives in Floyds Knobs and has worked in customer support, product management, marketing and sales roles. He's currently an employee of Schneider Electric. He said it's his first time running for public office.

Roberts supports placing the hospital sale proceeds in a fund. He'd also work with commissioners to develop long-term plans for the county.

"My plan is to secure the hospital profit in a fund that would accrue 2-4 percent interest annually," Roberts said. "...With the principal secured, we will never have to raise taxes again in Floyd County."

Danny Short, 42, said he's been in manufacturing management for the last 10 years. He's the current president of the New Albany Township Board and has been for five years.

Short said he has experience dealing with budgets and long-term planning.

"Many projects (in Floyd County) are on the horizon and employee pay is lagging," Short said. "But throwing money at every issue, which comes before us is a recipe for disaster."

Short suggested the council consult with an adviser on how to best invest cash from the sale. Members should prioritize projects and craft a long-term plan for the county, he said.

Jim Wathen, 67, is currently on the Floyd County Council and has served previously as president. He spent more than 30 years as a self-employed small business owner in financial services. After he retired, he spent eight years working for two foundations.

With the Floyd Memorial sale imminent, Wathen said county government needs to be cautious about how funds are spent in the future.

"If the council will continue keeping a close watch on our spending, I'm confident we can address our short-term financial problems and set up a path to having a sound fiscal plan well into the future," Wathen said.

Floyd County Council at-large Democratic candidates

Maury Goldberg, 68, has served in leadership positions in several community organizations and has been elected to the New Albany City Council five times.

Goldberg said the Floyd Memorial sale doesn't address the county's fiscal problems. He said he would undertake a comprehensive examination of the budget and hold public meetings to determine the best solution to revenue shortages.

"With the issue of a Floyd councilman serving on the committee to sell the hospital having a conflict of interest, the idea of selling the hospital must be rejected and the whole process started over again, otherwise we are condoning corruption," he said, referring to councilman Matt Oakley, who recently asked the council to recuse him from the committee.

Leslie Knable is the current Floyd County Coroner and has been for eight years. She holds degrees in biochemistry, a doctorate in veterinary medicine and is a licensed funeral director.

"I think my educational background is in problem-solving," Knable said. "I'm a good listener and can compromise if I need to."

Through her position as coroner, Knable said she's seen how the council handles budget appropriations for government offices. She said the county's budget and appropriations deserve a more common sense and fair approach.

Mike Mills is a retired New Albany deputy police chief and has been a county councilman for Floyd County previously. He also served five terms on the Georgetown town council. He was the first police officer who ran for office in Indiana, after a state law preventing it was repealed, he said.

"I've got the experience and knowledge, and I know what I'm doing," Mills said. "...I'm well-suited to make decisions on fiscal matters over the next four years."

Mills said to run for a county council office, candidates should be required to have extensive public finance knowledge.

Brad Striegel, 38, is currently the president of the Floyd County Council and has been on the council for eight years. He's been a small business owner for more than 10 years and served as a reserve police officer for the Floyd County Sheriff's Department.

"I have proven ability and integrity to be fiscally responsible with taxpayers' money," Striegel said. "...Now more than ever, Floyd County needs good fiscal management."

Striegel said he believes the money should be invested into an interest-bearing account, and interested should be deposited as new revenue into the county's rainy-day fund. That interest could help pay for infrastructure upgrades and other necessities.

Reporter Lexy Gross can be reached at 502-582-4087, or via email at lgross@courier-journal.com.