Introduction: In the May 2003 Farrington's Grove Historical District Inc. newsletter, Adam Sanders posed the following questions "to both candidates for the District 4 seat". I took this exercise seriously, submitting my answers as they appear below. My opponent chose to remain silent.

While FGHD Inc's September newsletter contains the full text of my answers, an unfortunate set of editorial mistakes has disconnected my first, second and third responses from their respective questions. To further confuse the reader, all of the questions in the September newsletter were incomplete or severely abbreviated versions of those posed by Sanders back in May.

What appears below is the piece I had expected to see made available to members of FGHD Inc. in their September newsletter: the complete text of Sanders' questions, followed by candidate answers. Of course, I had also hoped to see my opponent's views reflected; 4th District voters deserve responses to important questions like these if they are expected to cast informed votes.

Read On!
Todd Nation
232-2595
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FGHD 1: What do you propose to do about the current lack of enforcement of zoning ordinances and building codes regarding the number of people permitted to occupy a house? Specifically, will you take steps to ensure that owners properly modify family-style homes to comply with applicable building codes before leasing or selling these homes to fraternities, sororities, or apartment dwellers? Many homes originally designed for the needs of one or two families are now being dangerously overcrowded and ill-maintained. Will you permit re-zoning that increases density?

TN 1: Begin with Enforcement: Enforcement of the laws already in place should be our first priority. When we find laws that are outdated or inadequate, we should work together to fix those problems.

If elected, I will help FGHD Inc. representatives work with the Mayor, his appointed Building Inspector, our police, my fellow council members, Area Planning and other government agencies to ensure that everyone understands the issues facing Terre Haute's only National Register-listed residential neighborhood. Farrington's Grove is a special place, and local government officials should do everything they can to help preserve its character.

"Will I permit rezoning that increases density?": It sounds like the questioner wants me to answer "no", but I can't do that. Property owners petitioning for a zoning change deserve to be heard before a decision is reached.

After serving four years on the Vigo Area Planning Commission and following City Council zoning battles closely for almost a decade, it's not difficult for me to imagine a scenario where an R-2 or R-3 designation makes sense in Farrington's Grove. I respect the opinion that the best thing for the neighborhood would be to steer more houses back to R-1 over time, but other uses (some of which may increase density), are also legitimate in parts of Farrington's Grove.

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FGHD 2: What action do you think should be taken to put an end to the nuisance of littering and improper disposal of trash? Are homeowners who chronically refuse to dispose of waste in containers issued citations? Are present ordinances for trash, noise, and public nuisances sufficient?

TN 2: Laws Revised, Problems Remain: Over the past two years, city ordinances concerning trash disposal, lawn maintenance and animal control have been updated, but I am not convinced that our Building Inspector has the staff, funds or focus required to get the job done. His department is currently responsible for enforcing these parts of the city code.

If elected, I will work with our new mayor, my fellow council members and the Building Inspector to help give employees of this important department the tools they need to enforce local laws.

On Trash: When our trash contract is renegotiated, I pledge to fight for large item pick-up to again be part of our regular service. There is no good reason for discarded couches, mattresses, appliances, etc. to decay in our alleys from season to season.

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FGHD 3: What can be done about frequent occurrence of loud parties involving minors consuming alcohol, public consumption of alcohol and public vomiting and urination?

TN 3: More on Enforcement: The board of FGHD Inc. should continue to work closely with the Terre Haute Police Department, ISU Police, landlords of problem rentals, and officers of offending Greek houses to demand enforcement of the laws against this kind of behavior. But that is only part of what's needed

The Bigger Picture: Local geography and development patterns dictate that Farrington's Grove and downtown will always have university flavor--I think that's a good thing. We need to build upon the successes of our institutions of higher learning and foster cooperation with them. In such an atmosphere, everyone can win.

As we struggle to improve Terre Haute, each of us must accept a measure of personal responsibility for talking not just about our neighbors, but for talking with them. A little communication can go a long way toward resolving conflict within crowded urban neighborhoods like Farrington's Grove.

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FGHD 4: Cars are routinely parked across sidewalks, in no-parking zones near intersections, by fire hydrants, and facing the wrong direction. These violations, especially the parking of vehicles near intersections, have caused traffic collisions and also endanger the lives of pedestrians attempting to cross busy streets. What can be done to ensure proper enforcement of parking regulations?

TN 4: On Parking: If elected to represent the 4th District, I will be an advocate for getting people to understand and follow our city's parking rules.

Farrington's Grove residents need to establish and maintain regular contact with the Terre Haute Police Department-enforcers of our traffic laws-to demand enforcement of parking rules in your neighborhood.

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FGHD 5: Do you have any suggestions, observations, or problems relating to Farrington's Grove which you would like to see addressed?

TN 5: Suggestion: Farrington's Grove residents should inform themselves about which city departments are responsible for things like street repair, sidewalk replacement, street tree removal, etc. and report city infrastructure needs in writing to the proper authorities. Start in the blue "City Government" section of your phone book.

Observation: FGHD has lost ground in the fight against commercial encroachment into the district over the last few years. Coordinated planning efforts, such as updating our city's Comprehensive Plan and examining the Third Street Corridor, could help guide growth and strengthen both business and the residents of Farrington's Grove.

Closing Thoughts: I will work with the next administration to provide citizens with an informative city web site, public access television coverage of local government meetings, and better public notification about issues facing the City Council.

Things will only improve in our neighborhoods if more citizens actually take an interest in local government and get involved in the process. A good first step is casting informed votes. Please come to at least one candidate forum this fall and get to know the folks asking for your support. Of course, I hope you will decide to vote for me on November 4th.

I thank Farrington's Grove Historic District Inc. for allowing me this space to respond to your questions. For more information about my campaign for City Council, please check out my web site at www.toddnation.com.