Meet the Candidates: Jim Donohue
Candidates for the Vigo County Council and Commissioner primaries completed the following questionnaires. The responses have not been edited in any way.
The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce is committed to fostering a strong business climate and a thriving community in Vigo County. As the County Council and County Commissioners play a critical role in shaping the fiscal and policy environment that affects businesses, residents and quality of life across our region, the Chamber believes it is important for voters to understand where candidates stand on the issues that matter most.
The following questionnaire has been developed to help Chamber members and their employees evaluate candidates seeking seats on the Vigo County Council and those running for Vigo County Commissioner. We appreciate each candidate's willingness to participate and encourage thoughtful, specific responses that reflect their vision, experience and priorities for Vigo County's future.
Name: Jim Donohue (R - District 4)
Question: What steps have you taken to prepare yourself for the position for which you are running? (This could include reviewing Robert’s Rules of Order, participating in the West Central Indiana Civic Engagement series, attending and/or watching applicable meetings, etc…)
Answer: I have spoken to many Vigo County citizens to understand their concerns, including increasing property taxes, the school infrastructure issue and the challenge to retain our youth in the community. Further I have researched the demographics of surrounding counties to understand their respective population growth/decline compared to Vigo County. Finally, I have reviewed the county 2026 budget to understand how we are spending the $100mm of taxpayers monies. I firmly believe we need to understand the issues of our county and wisely spend our resources on the needs of the community.
Question: What expectations do you have for yourself or for others as elected officials, especially as it pertains to how meetings are to be conducted, your role in state/government functions and overall professionalism?
Answer: When elected I will commit to conduct myself in a professional manner, representing the best interest of the community. Having watched previous council meetings I believe we can do better as a community in how we discuss, disagree and reach agreement regarding the business of the county. Debate is healthy if it is respectful and professional. Again, I will speak honestly in the best interest of the people of Vigo County.
Question: As a member of the County Council or as a Commissioner, what are the top 3-5 community priorities would you consider in how to best utilize the County's resources, including its cash reserves.
Answer: I firmly believe a strong community is built on three pillars....Robust economic base, excellent education system and strong public safety/infrastructure. I would strongly support working to retain/grow our existing companies while leveraging our 4 colleges/universities to attract new businesses. I do and will continue to support a plan to improve our schools. Our teachers and students need a quality schooling environment. As a community we need to understand how we fund and accomplish this goal. Finally, a strong community is a safe community. We need to assure we provide the manpower, technology and resources to law enforcement to keep our community safe.
Question: Are you familiar with the See You in Terre Haute Community Plan and its vision for our future?
Answer: Yes
Question: Do you believe Terre Haute–Vigo County has improved over the past five years?
Answer: Yes
Question: What do you feel could make Vigo County more attractive to employers compared to other regions around the state and what role could you play in bringing these ideas to reality as a member of the County Council or as a Commissioner?
Answer: As noted above, we need to leverage/"sell" the colleges and universities to perspective companies. Further, we need to stress the economic benefits of being here in Vigo County V other larger areas where tax structure and politics may be unfavorable to a business prospect. Finally, we need to be more aggressive in searching for and finding business prospects and engage them early while they are evaluating perspective locations..
Question: Do you agree with granting tax abatements to Companies as an enticement to attracting more business and jobs to our community?
Answer: Yes
Question: Why do you agree or disagree with tax abatements? And what stipulations/parameters would you like to see included?
Answer: I strongly believe in tax abatements. When I led Tri- Industries/Smiths Aerospace our business requested and was granted a tax abatement. Given the abatement, I was able to secure a $7.0mm investment from Smiths to increase the plant size by 10,000 square feet, add a new technology to the business and paving the way for an additional of circa 100 new employees. That said, I believe we have to hold businesses accountable to deliver the job growth promised.
Question: Do you believe the current school facilities in Vigo County adequately serve students, teachers and the broader community?
Answer: No
Question: Please explain your Answer regarding school facilities, including any additional information you would like to know.
Answer: We need to address the age and condition of our schools. When I relocated my family to Terre Haute 27 years ago the condition of the schools was poor then, giving me pause of whether I should move here. That said, I am happy I relocated to Terre Haute where my children got an excellent education. My desire is to create a positive learning environment for our teachers and students.
Question: Do you support the existence of the Vigo County Oversight Board as a mechanism for fiscal accountability?
Answer: Not Sure
Question: Please explain your Answer regarding the Oversight Board, including any additional information you would like to know.
Answer: I'm not clear on the question and "fiscal accountability"
Question: Do you support the Vigo County Council committing funds towards a new high school?
Answer: Yes
Question: Please explain your Answer regarding the County committing funds to a new high school.
Answer: The monies we have in the county are to be used to meet the needs of the community. Too often there is infighting and side agendas that distract from the debate of how best to use all the funds we have in the community, be them federal, state, city or county. The schools need to be addressed and I would consider the use of county funds with a transparent and clear picture for how the funds would be used.
Question: What financial benchmarks or conditions, if any, would need to be met before you would support committing County funds to the school corporation for this project?
Answer: I need to fully understand the scope of the school plan, total cost including contingency and what funding sources are available to execute the plan.
Question: Are you familiar with the West Central Indiana Regional Plan and its priorities? Answer: No
Question: West Central Indiana communities (Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties) are increasingly working together to strengthen the regional economy, attract talent and improve quality of life. What opportunities do you see for Vigo County to collaborate with neighboring counties to strengthen the regional economy?
Answer: I would continue to positively promote the good things that are happening in our county and let people know, "We are open for business"
