Republic file photo Columbus City Hall.
The candidate who won a city council seat in Columbus by just one vote four years ago is being challenged this fall by a woman who was the top coordinator of a city department for several years.
Democrat incumbent Jerone Wood, a coach and physical education teacher, is being challenged in the new District 3 city council district by 27-year city employee Sue Norman-Chapple, who may be best remembered for heading the ColumBus Transit system.
Districts were redrawn after Columbus sought and received second-class city status, which adds two new members to the city council. That’s why Wood is currently the District 1 council member, but is running for District 3 this election.
Four years ago, Wood defeated incumbent Republican Dascal Bunch by just one vote. While a three-person recount commission was formed, their findings did not change the outcome of the race.
Coincidentally, one commission member was Norman-Chapple, a Republican who was unopposed during the primary.
Q: Housing is quite expensive in Columbus and homelessness remains a serious issue. Do you feel the council is doing what it can to address those two matters?
Although Wood said he feels the city has made some leeway by bringing in new housing, he doesn’t believe the main issue of affordable housing is being addressed.
“The latest apartment complex is not affordable,” Wood said. “It serves only one segment of the population in Columbus, but doesn’t help the community as a whole.”
The problem can only be addressed by getting all the stakeholders on the same page in defining affordable housing, Wood said.
Norman-Chapple says she welcomes input from everyone involved in the housing industry at all price levels.
“I would also explore solutions that have worked in other communities regarding housing, employment opportunities and fair wages,” Norman-Chapple said.
She said it will take the entire community to work together to address complex issues like affordable housing and homelessness.
Q: There are still some who question the construction of NexusPark as an economic development tool. If someone asks you whether it’s a wise investment by the city, how would you respond?
Wood describes NexusPark as a fantastic idea that will not only help the community from a sports and wellness standpoint, but also attract a lot of people from outside the county.
“It’s going to help many including restaurants, hotels, convenience stores and other businesses,” Wood said. “I’m very familiar with how much money sports had brought into our town.”
Norman-Chapple said the facility now under construction at the former Fair Oaks Mall site will also expand opportunities through the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department that will benefit all residents, she said.
Q: In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing Columbus today and what how would you address it?
Wood returned to the need to find a common definition of affordable housing that is agreeable with all stakeholders. But another top issue is recognizing that homelessness is the byproduct of drug addiction, Wood said.
“They go hand and hand,” Wood said. “While police are doing what they can, addiction is a community problem, not just a matter for law enforcement. If we help fight addiction, we’re actually helping the entire community out.”
Norman-Chapple named rising property taxes impact as a top issue that involves everyone in the community. “It is a factor in rental prices and also increases expenses to businesses in our community,” she said.
Norman-Chapple also identified transparency in how tax dollars are spent as another significant community concern.
Jerone Wood
Jerone Wood
Party: Democrat
Age: 34
Occupation: Elementary physical education instructor
Previously elected offices held: Completing his first term as District 1 city council member. Due to Columbus moving to second-class city status, Wood is running for the same position in District 3.
Education: 2006 graduate of Columbus East High School, received bachelor’s degree with a major in criminology from Indiana State University.
Community Services and organizations: Works with the NAACP, coaches basketball and track at high schools. Works with Cordell and Friends, a non-profit that advocates for children with autism.
Family: Four children
Sue Norman-Chapple
Sue Norman-Chapple
Party: Republican
Age: 68
Occupation: Bartholomew County Intake Specialist at Adult Protective Services.
Previously elected office sought: City Council District 1.
Education: Attended Ball State University
Community services and organizations: American Legion Auxiliary Post 24; VFW 1987 Auxiiary.; previously served on the Indiana Council on Specialized Transportation and the Indiana Transportation Association. Delegate to the Community Transportation Association of American and worked with the National Roadeo Committee.
Family: Husband, Thomas Cook. Three adult children.
