Meet the Candidates: Vicki Weger
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: Vicki Weger (D - District 3)
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: Extensive experience in government positions including staff for 2 U.S.Senators, Indiana Secretary of State, Asst. to Mayor of City of Terre Haute, Assignments Editor WTHI-TV, field producer NBC Nightly News U.S, Europe, Africa, Asia.
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: Serve as leader on committees, speak to community organizations to inform about Council status, guide new Council members.
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: 1. Address Federal mandate to Council & Commissioners to “Correct cruel & inhumane overcrowded conditions inside Vigo county jail…”, per Federal Judge Magnus-Stinson. 2. The Council needs a complete audit of funds to determine the true and accurate balance of all county monies. 3. The county is not rolling in huge amounts of money. The budget committee has been carefully building accounts to address the dire overcrowding at the jail. It was the plan to build a community corrections center to accommodate qualified inmates.That plan is currently on hold.
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: The working relationship with the city is very good. The Mayor is inclusive and informative in making the county government part of the effort to grow western Indiana. A new vitality has begun and will be very successful.
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: Each case is unique.
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: It’s obvious
Question: Do you support the existence of the Vigo County Oversight Board as a mechanism for fiscal accountability?
Answer: No
Question: Please explain your Answer regarding the Oversight Board, including any additional information you would like to know.
Answer: The Oversight Board is not an elected entity. Alas! It is a substitute for the failure of the school board. And the work the Oversight Board has put in is indeed extensive. But it was the result of an absolute failure by the School Board to engage the community and as I travel through my district today, which is the heart & soul of the city — they still have not engaged the community.
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: If there is money available and the plan affordable, it is in the best interest of everyone for the county to participate in helping to fund the project.
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: It remains to be seen.
Question: Are you familiar with the West Central Indiana Regional Plan and its priorities?
Answer: Not Sure
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: Strength in numbers.
