GETRAG: Tipton candidates’ take

Local News

Discussion

October 9, 2008

Political hopefuls taking a wait-and-see approach

By KEN de la BASTIDE The Kokomo Tribune Thu Oct 09, 2008, 11:49 PM EDT

Click here to download the complaint document
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Candidates seeking a seat on the Tipton County Board of Commissioners believe the future of Getrag’s transmission plant is unknown.

With Chrysler filing a lawsuit this week against its German partner in the Tipton County project, some are taking a wait-and-see approach.

“I’m looking for the optimistic solution,” said Jane Harper, candidate in the 2nd District. “If Chrysler severs the relationship, it is up to county officials to forge a relationship with Getrag if they decided to go it alone.

“Getrag doesn’t have to sell transmissions to Chrysler, they can sell to any automotive manufacturing company.”

Harper said if Getrag moved forward on the project alone, it would mean new jobs for Tipton because there would be no agreement to bring the workers from Kokomo transmission plants.

“It may be better for Tipton,” she said. “Many of those people hired would be living in Tipton County, and the county would benefit from the increased income taxes.”

Mike Cline, candidate in the 3rd District, said financial problems alleged in the lawsuit could be like the economy in general.

“How much of this is legitimate on Chrysler’s part, and are they trying to get out of the project?,” Cline asked. “They have the ability to build their own transmissions.”

Getrag supplies transmissions to a large number of car companies, but it might be hard to find a new partner in the project because of the fiscal situation, he said.

Harper expressed confidence in the Redevelopment Commission, which oversees the Tax Increment Financing District for the Getrag site. The county would not responsible for the funding. She said if the project is not completed, it won’t bankrupt the county.

“From my understanding of the way the bonds are structured, $11.3 million of the bonds was sold to Chrysler and Getrag,” she said. “The remaining $3.1 million was purchased by Harris Bank and is to be paid back from property taxes. The county would still collect taxes on whatever is at the site.”

The county has a vested interest in this, Cline said. If there won’t be any tax dollars being received, why build the plant? he asked.

He said a majority of people don’t know what the county has committed to. The county and state has spent a lot of money, everyone wants a return on their investments.

“We may have a road to nowhere,” Cline said referring to Tipton County Road 560 West, which was constructed with state and local dollars. “The verdict is still out. It may end up positively.”

Harper was upset that county and city officials were not notified in advance that the lawsuit was being filed.

“The manner in which local officials received word is unacceptable,” she said. “That would not be tolerated in the next administration.”

Harper said if elected, there would be a clear understanding that any announcement of any kind the local people would be given the common courtesy of what that announcement will be.

Cline said as a commissioner, he would work to make sure the line of communication is open between all the parties involved.

Candidate Jeffrey Hoffman and Matthew Gall could not be reached for comment.

Ken de la Bastide can be reached at (765) 454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local News

Entire U.S. 31 corridor now under contract
Every segment of the 13.1-mile, U.S. 31 Kokomo Corridor is now officially under construction.

May 25, 2012 1 Photo
Northwestern to graduate 130 seniors
Peyton Hite ended her last day in high school by going home and washing sheep.

“It’s part of living on a farm,” she said, with a laugh.

May 25, 2012
Drugs, cash seized, four arrested
Police from four agencies seized heroin, pills, syringes and cash, and arrested four people this week after a raid on a house on East Street, according to police reports.

May 25, 2012 1 Photo
Lafayette job fair expects Kokomo hopefuls
Organizers of a Lafayette job fair next week are reaching out to Kokomo residents looking for work.

May 25, 2012
Deputy prosecutor facing two charges
A Howard County deputy prosecutor will face two drunken-driving charges in connection with a traffic stop in Cicero.

May 25, 2012
Governor honors student
A Northwestern High School senior achieved a milestone Thursday when he became the first Indiana student ever to win both of the state’s top science awards.

May 25, 2012 1 Photo
Taylor considering staff reductions
A decline in enrollment has forced Taylor School Corp. to consider staff reductions, but the board won’t vote on the issue until next week, officials said Thursday.

May 25, 2012
Schools among top 20 in Indiana
Three area schools were ranked among the top 20 in Indiana this year by U.S. News and World Report.

Tri-Central Middle/High School, Eastern Junior-Senior High School and Tipton High School all made the list, which was an evaluation of 379 high schools across the state.

May 25, 2012
Library starts iPad rental program
Apple can’t make enough iPads to satisfy demand, but the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library now owns 15 iPad2 units.

Thursday, social media-conscious library patrons scrambled to borrow the tablet computers, on the first official day of the library’s iPad lending program.

May 25, 2012 1 Photo
Gov. names NW student 'Mr. Science' for 2012
Tyler Barnes becomes first Indiana student to be named Indiana's Top Young Scientist and Mr. Science.

May 24, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Discussion

GETRAG: Tipton candidates’ take

Political hopefuls taking a wait-and-see approach

Site Map

Contact Us