Candidate Q&A: County commissioner, David Byers vs. Steve Mayoras
Republican David Byers, a dairy farmer running for a fifth term as Tippecanoe County commissioner, faces a challenge from Libertarian Steve Mayoras in the Nov. 5 general election.
This is part of a series of Q&As with candidates in contested races in the Nov. 5 general election in Tippecanoe County.
Republican David Byers, a dairy farmer running for a fifth term as Tippecanoe County commissioner, faces a challenge from Libertarian Steve Mayoras in the Nov. 5 general election.
The seat represents District 2, which covers much of the western portion of Tippecanoe County. County commissioners oversee county policies and the day-to-day operations of county government. The candidates appear on ballots across Tippecanoe County, not just District 2.
Here, the candidates running for Tippecanoe County commissioner in District 2 discuss their approach to the position.+++
For more: Find bios of each candidate, along with information about where and when to vote at the end of this article.
Why do you want this job? Why are you running now and in this particular race for political office?
David Byers: I appreciate working alongside of Mayors Tony Roswarski and Erin Easter, Purdue University and the citizens of Tippecanoe County to improve our community and watching the county become one of the greatest communities in our state. I also believe it is important to bring in new employment opportunities into our community while preserving those which are well established. Additionally, I aim to improve the quality of life for everyone. I am honored to be a part of this team effort.
Steve Mayoras: I'm a West Lafayette resident more than 22 years. I've bought my first home here, started a small family here, opened a small business here. It's unique. Short-sighted community planning and self-interested favors threaten this community. An example is the housing shortage. This was a predictable problem, with solutions that could have been implemented 10 years ago. I have leadership background in small business, manufacturing and health care. In November there will be traditional conservatives on the ballot, and there's me – a better representation of what our community stands for across both sides of the political spectrum.
Name two of your top priorities for work as a Tippecanoe County commissioner. And how will you handle those?
David Byers: Protect our natural resources! As a member of the Indiana Farm Bureau Water Policy Board, we are creating policy to educate all state legislatures on the importance of water rights and local control. Managing juvenal detention and possibly creating a juvenal detention facility. The current cost of sending our children to other facilities is becoming cost prohibitive. This will allow our deputies to remain working here at home, not transporting these individuals.
Steve Mayoras: The obvious is LEAP. Given my background, and an unwillingness to cave to a bad deal, I will exhaust every option to stop this unpopular project. The others in this race will have to play along with their party leaders. I won't. Second is the growth. Smart community leaders make smart plans. I won't let our county get so far behind on something as important as housing ever again. It's imperative that we preserve our uniqueness. We are on track to become another concrete desert like Indy. Protecting our wilderness and agriculturally significant areas, while proposing forward-thinking and sustainable community planning will be at the top of my list.
What’s the biggest challenge facing Tippecanoe County in the next four years? And how do you propose to address that?
David Byers: Mental health continues to be a challenge to our community. Increasing safety and mental health care is a priority. We have bolstered community corrections to better address substance abuse and mental health, integrating counseling and medical treatment. By partnering with Valley Oaks, we are enhancing their community presence. Additionally, we are equipping our Health Department with the necessary resources, staff and space to effectively serve our citizens’ health needs.
Steve Mayoras: I believe the biggest challenge will be balancing our booming population, and business growth, with our finite resources. We have to be cautious that county leaders are planning for unknowns. Currently, Tippecanoe County isn't set up for sustained losses, endangering many of the amenities out county has come to expect. With some review of current expenditures and aligning that with smart tax revenue planning, I'm confident I can save the county money without trimming essential services for our growing community.
Grade the county’s current approach to managing residential and commercial growth beyond the city limits of Lafayette and West Lafayette? What could be done better?
David Byers: Recently a comprehensive usage plan for Tippecanoe and Wabash Townships has been completed resulting in a balancing between the ratio of agriculture, residential and business. Additionally, I plan to study infrastructure needs: roads, bridges, drainage and sewage are a challenge of a growing community. Combining all of this together in a structured strategic plan to prepare for future growth.
Steve Mayoras: Commissioners have delivered fair results, but we deserve better. They've been successful in growth and partnerships. They failed to make sure community wellness is priority over corporate or state interests. Commissioners are the top executive role in the county. If commissioners don't have their community's best interest in mind, who will? In my opinion their approach has resulted in rampant poverty, increased crime and impossible living costs for our working families. I find this to be unacceptable.
County commissioners have a temporary moratorium on high-volume wells and some water transfers, as defense against the LEAP pipeline concept. Is that the best approach for the county to take?
David Byers: Until the Indiana Finance Association (IFA) report is published, patience is needed. We can easily call an emergency meeting to extend the moratorium. I have been a steadfast guardian against unsound economic ventures that threaten to transfer Tippecanoe County’s water without scientific assurance of its safe return. My stance is unwavering: sharing resources for mutual benefit is one thing, but permitting unchecked usage that depletes our reserves is off the table.
Steve Mayoras: Our current commissioner said in an interview that it's a matter of how much water will transfer, meaning they've already started considering future deals. Tippecanoe County farmers and families already said they want no water transfers. Commissioners aren't listening hard enough. Our leaders can do more to pull out all stops until we get full unrestricted oversight of our community water usage. A dream would be to own our water rights to protect and use responsibly well into the future, pun intended. I don't have to follow Republican Party orders like incumbents do. If it was up to me, our water would stay here.
Would you vote to create a full-time position for the county’s health officer, as the Tippecanoe County Board of Health has proposed?
David Byers: With the current services that our Health Department provides, the outsourced services offered, the newly upgraded facilities and adequate staffing, I see no need for this position to be increased to full time.
Steve Mayoras: I would vote to support the health needs of the community. I work in health care as part of a leadership team, so I know what it takes to have a cohesive approach to community health services. I can't imagine a situation for a county our size being successful without a full-time health officer. I'd closely review the health department's expert opinion on the matter to keep this position full-time. I sense the commissioner's decision to cut this position down to part-time is short-changing our community health services. I will definitely be reviewing this decision if I am elected.
Name two specific things that separate you from your opponents and why they matter.
David Byers: I understand the business of county government. I am endorsed by Mayors Roswarski and Easter and the Builders Association of Greater Lafayette to name a few. Since 1836 my family has lived in Wabash Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. This is home and I believe our agriculture community needs representation.
Steve Mayoras: The first is term limits. Multiple decades is too long for any representative to be in office. Change is essential to continued success. I attribute a lack of change in leadership to many of our concerns in this county. I'll lean on the many talented, hard-working, and innovative community staff members as I review functions to bring the country government into the next phase of success. Secondly is professional background. I have leadership background in agricultural manufacturing, small business, non-profit and health care. I'm a better professional representation of Tippecanoe County today.
CANDIDATE BIOS
David Byers
Party: Republican
Age: 64
Occupation: Grain & Livestock Farmer, Tippecanoe County Commissioner
Education: Harrison High School and Purdue University
Previous elected positions: 12 years Tippecanoe County Council; 15 Years Tippecanoe County Commissioner; Vice President, Tippecanoe County Farm Bureau
Community boards/leadership/service: 44 years 4-H volunteer and leader; Roy Whistler Foundation; Local Emergency Planning Committee; Indiana Farm Bureau Water Policy Board; Tippecanoe County Historical Association
Family: Wife of 43 years, Julie, and daughter Elizabeth
Campaign site: www.facebook.com/votedavidbyers
Steve Mayoras
Party: Libertarian
Age: 41
Occupation: Director
Education: BS, Purdue University; SHRM-CP
Past elected positions, if any: Party-affiliated only as Chair of the Librarian Party of Indiana elected 2019. Ran in 2016 Congressional District 4 against Todd Rokita (R) and John Dale (D).
Community boards or other community leadership and service: Riggs Community Health Center - local non-profit healthcare organization 501(c)(3); member and volunteer Niches Land Trust 501(c)(3).
Immediate family: Partner, Holly
Your campaign site online: will not be hosting website, but will be active through my Facebook page - SteveMayorasforCountyComissioner. LPIN.org has party information.
ABOUT THE NOV. 5 GENERAL ELECTION
Early voting ahead of the Nov. 5 primary election started Oct. 8 with contested races on Tippecanoe County ballots for president, governor, U.S. Senate and Houses, Indiana attorney general, several Indiana General Assembly seats, Tippecanoe County commissioner and Tippecanoe County Council at-large seats, several county elected seats, and Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe school corporation school boards. A few things to know:
VOTER REGISRATION/YOUR BALLOT: To check your voter registration and to see candidates and public questions that will be on your specific ballot, go to the Secretary of State’s portal at www.indianavoters.com.
WHERE TO VOTE: In Tippecanoe County, registered voters may cast their ballot at any vote center.
EARLY VOTING
Oct. 8-Oct. 11, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette
Oct. 15-Oct. 18, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette
Oct. 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., McAllister Center, 2351 N. 20th St., Lafayette
Oct. 21-Oct. 25, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette
Oct. 22, noon-5 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1700 Mitch Daniels Boulevard, West Lafayette
Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Purdue Co-Rec, 355 N. Martin Jischke Drive, West Lafayette.
Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., West Point Fire Station, 4949 Indiana 25 S., West Point; Otterbein United Methodist Church, 405 Oxford St., Otterbein; Clarks Hill Christian Church, 9510 Pearl St., Clarks Hill; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette;
Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette
Oct. 29-Nov. 1, noon-6 p.m., Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette; Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South, Lafayette; John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road, West Lafayette.
Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette; Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South, Lafayette; John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road, West Lafayette.
Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette
Nov. 4, 8 a.m.-noon, Tippecanoe County Office Building, 20 N. Third St., Lafayette
ELECTION DAY VOTE CENTERS: Voting on Tuesday, Nov. 5, will be 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Registered voters in Tippecanoe County may choose any of these sites.
Lafayette
Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road
Lafayette Community Church of the Nazarene, 3801 Union St.
Evangelical Covenant Church, 3600 S. Ninth St.
Tippecanoe County Historical Association History Center, 522 Columbia St.
Wea Ridge Baptist Church, 1051 E. County Road 430 South
Eastside Assembly of God, 6121 E. County Road 50 South
Northend Community Center, 2000 Elmwood Ave.
West Lafayette
Faith West Community Center, 1920 Northwestern Ave.
Margerum City Hall/West Lafayette City Hall, 222 N. Chauncey Ave.
Connection Point Church, 2541 Cumberland Ave.
John Dennis Wellness Center, 1101 Kalberer Road
Others
Dayton Gathering Point Church, 7201 Wesleyan Drive, Dayton
Shadeland Town Hall, 2485 Indiana 25 West, Shadeland
Battle Ground Fire Station, 112 North St., Battle Ground
Tippecanoe Township Volunteer Fire Station No. 2, 448 W. County Road 650 North, West Lafayette
ON THE BALLOT
Here are candidates and questions on Tippecanoe County ballots for the Nov. 5 general election. (Incumbents are marked with an asterisk*.) To see your specific ballot, go to the Secretary of State’s portal at www.indianavoters.com.
Tippecanoe County
Commissioner, District 2: David Byers*, R; Steve Mayoras, Libertarian
Commissioner, District 3: Tom Murtaugh*, R; Jaime Ortiz, Libertarian
County Council, at-large (choose 3): Republicans: John Basham*, Barry Richard* and Kevin Underwood*. Democrats: Katy Bunder, Ben Carson and Amanda Eldridge. Libertarians: Dean Bertelli, Holly Mayoras and Randy Young
Coroner: Carrie Costello*, R; Benjamin Milanowski, Libertarian
Treasurer: Yadira Salazar*, R
Surveyor: Zach Beasley*, R
Judge, Circuit Court: Sean Persin*, R
Judge, Superior Court 6: Michael Morrissey*, R
Statehouse races
House District 13: Matthew Commons, R; Ed Moyer Jr., D
House District 26: Chris Campbell*, D; Jim Schenke, R
House District 27: Sheila Klinker*, D; Oscar Alvarez, R
House District 38: Heath VanNatter*, R; Carl Seese, D
House District 41: Mark Genda*, R; Dan Sikes, D
Statewide
Governor: Mike Braun, R; Jennifer McCormick, D; Donald Rainwater, Libertarian
Attorney General: Todd Rokita, R; Destiny Wells, D
Federal
President: Kamala Harris, D; Donald Trump, R; Chase Oliver, Libertarian; Robert F. Kennedy Jr., We the People
U.S. House, District 4: Jim Baird*, R; Ashley Groff, Libertarian; Derrick Holder, D;
U.S. Senate: Jim Banks, R; Valerie McCray, D; Andrew Horning, Libertarian
Townships
Shadeland Township Board: Michael Kuipers, Pamela Luenz, Robert Morrison Jr. and Josh Shives, R.
Shadeland Clerk-Treasurer: Charlene Brown, R
School boards
Lafayette School Corp., at-large (choose 3): Ebony Barrett*, Josiah Eller, Margaret Hass, James Hass, Ronald “Rocky” Hession, Gary Mueller and Julie Peretin*.
Tippecanoe School Corp.
District 4: Jake Burton*
District 5: Julia Cummings*
District 6: Connie Harper
District 7: Brad Anderson*
West Lafayette Community School Corp., at-large (choose 4): Amy Austin*, Maria Koliantz, George Lyle, David Purpura, Beau Scott and Yue Yin*.
Public questions
Shall the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to remove the state superintendent of public instruction from the list of officeholders who shall discharge the powers and duties of the governor if the office of the governor and lieutenant governor are both vacant?
Shall Indiana Supreme Court Justice Mark S. Massa be retained in office?
Shall Indiana Supreme Court Justice Derek Read Molter be retained in office?
Shall Indiana Supreme Court Justice Loretta Rush be retained in office?
Shall Indiana Appeals Court Judge Rudolph Reginald Pyle III be retained in office?
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It seems odd to be able to vote in all districts, not just where you live. While I guess it does not really matter, district 2 includes most of urban WL, apart from Bar Berry and points north, which are in district 1:
https://www.tippecanoe.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/604/2023-County-Commissioner-Districts-PDF