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MAYOR QUESTIONS, CONT.
6. Gangs are something that some citizens are fearful of. Who are these gangs, and what do they want, and how do we solve the issue? STOCK: I know that we have a gang problem in our community. Some people think that I have swept this issue under the rug but I have not. The gangs like to use the advertising that they get to show the kids of our town how big and bad they are. I refuse to discuss this in the media. We have had community meetings over this issue. The gangs are kids that want to cause havoc in neighborhoods and claim territory. Two of the gangs are the Latin Kings and the Sur 13. Over one year ago we had a drive by shooting that involved a police officer. Because of the police continuing investigations we arrested six individuals that are waiting for their day in court. It has brought a quiet sense to the gangs. TONEY: Going back to police department, we need to communicate more. I want communication with these people. Treat them fair, treat them decent. I have heard too many times, that the cops hands are tied. If these gangs know we will enforce our laws,
I think they will most likely dispurse and divide. I want our law enforcement very visible out there, but I feel we can treat people with respect, and still win big on this issue.
PIPPENGER: Well, if you go to the police department website, you can learn a lot more about these gangs, who they are, and things like that. How do you stop them?
Get citizens involved, 287g (please google) will take care of a lot of problems, as will additional assistance from federal government.
7. What do we do with the city water and sewer issue? STOCK: I’m working towards a solution using a private-public partnership or creating a TIF District that will pay for the water and sewer issue without raising tax dollars or rates. This is a major concern of mine, as we need to expand our water treatment plant and sewer plant to make us attractive to food industry. That will create higher paying jobs and will help us on the Quadra Project. The TIF is a Tax Increment Financing program that allows us to capture property tax that goes towards Indianapolis and keep the money in Clinton County to use towards the TIF District. It is money already paid by the Industry. TONEY: We have money that should be coming available for this. This is a good spot for a grant, because of the amount of money we are looking at to take care of this. Build a new water treatment plant, new tower, refurbish wastewater treatment, and now, you have helped your infrastructure. People coming in, from a business standpoint, will be much more impressed also.
Some money will be coming available. You can use money that is available, and a user fee, and the user fees will pay for the bond, lowering the tax burden. The main question, is how can we do it without raising taxes? That is my goal.
PIPPENGER: Well, currently, we are taxed to the max, because of annexation. 30 million dollars, plus another 30 million dollars, and that is just to stretch out to 65. If I remember right, it was about a million dollars, for a new water tower. My plan is to focus on the tasks at hand, rather than trying to do 50 at once. We will beat these issues 1 at a time.
8. What can be done, or continued, to attract business merchants to Clinton County? STOCK: We need to raise the median income level of our families. We can do that by creating new ways to bring in industry and high tech jobs. That will then bring higher paying jobs. That is why I support the Quadra project. The more money there is to spend the more merchants will come to our community. TONEY: Fix the infrastructure first. That is my main goal. Got to get our chamber of commerce to do more research out here. We need to take a look at our leadership, and find out why things aren’t working. I want to work with everyone, and find solutions. PIPPENGER: Getting the gang problems straightened out. Taxes down. Fixing the illegal immigration issue. Trying to provide help and instruction to new and existing businesses.
We are always looking for fair ways to make more money. I want to strengthen relations with companies like Frito Lay, and possibly engage more in public-private partnerships.
9. Are you in favor of bringing business in from the outside, or developing it from within? STOCK: Both, I will be attending a program during the last week in October. We will be discussing how to work with the youth in our community to create an entrepreneur program. As we increase the size of our town and the family income level, then, we will have the big businesses come eventually. TONEY: Both sides. It’s always preferable to do it from the inside. We want people from here, first, always. You have to help the small businesses, somehow. PIPPENGER: Both sides. You gotta take business however you can receive it.
10. Some residents are complaining that other residents need to clean their act up, fix up their yards, haul off their junk cars, and so on. What will you do about this? STOCK: In the four years we have worked on 724 complaints. The four years before us 237. Over the last year through property maintenance and grass liens we have brought $32,600 from tickets and City Court. Bud’s office is 100% effective in the city court cases. The Police Department since January 1 have written over 200 tickets dealing with cars parked on sidewalks, parked the wrong way, junk vehicles, parked in the grass, that has brought in over $8,000. We are working hard in this area. TONEY: Once you start enforcing city ordinances, I can do it, but just remember, it could be you one of these days. Policing the area, should be the neighborhood’s job, within reason. Talk to your neighbors, figure out solutions. I can enforce it, but sometimes you won’t like what happens with that option.
Enforces will be enforced across the board. No slip ups. I will go all or nothing, but they will be down fairly. I will gladly elaborate on this position if asked, because I know it is important to people.
PIPPENGER: I think it is a mayor’s job to enforce the law. We want a beautiful city, and that is what I want to give the people of Frankfort. Try to get more people involved and an education of cleanliness.
GO TO THE 3RD AND FINAL INTERVIEW PAGE! 
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