THE STAR PRESS • April 24, 2010

MUNCIE — Retired businessman Dave Robertson, owner of White River Plaza retail center, is supporting Republican Doug Eckerty for state senator because “he’s a good conservative businessman” who opposes runaway property taxes.

Robertson is by far the largest contributor to Eckerty’s campaign, donating the candidate office space in the plaza reportedly worth $1,500 a month, or $6,000 so far this year.

But before squaring off against Sen. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, Eckerty must get past Kevin J. Barrett in the GOP primary, which won’t be difficult. Barrett’s campaign hasn’t raised a dime, according to pre-primary campaign finance reports, and he isn’t even
campaigning.

Errington is facing a more formidable primary opponent, Red Dog Saloon owner Lewis (Papa Lou) Coulter, who has loaned his campaign $22,100 and raised an additional $10,401, including $890 from his own tavern.

Because of property taxes, utilities and vacancies, White River Plaza, which was supposed to be Robertson’s retirement nest egg, is barely breaking even.

“They need that tax money to pay for all those lazy Democrats who work for the city and county,” Robertson joked. “Doug Eckerty is aware of how damaging taxes can be to the real estate market and to business in general. He’s pro-business and pro-free enterprise and he will support (Republican Gov.) Mitch Daniels.

“I like Sue Errington, but she’s just wrong on everything I believe in: taxes, the budget. She b elieves government should do things for people. I believe people should be free to do things for themselves.”

Eckerty is a real estate investor and retired insurance agent from Yorktown who has been active  in Citizens of Delaware County for Property Tax Repeal. He hasn’t raised that much money so far, just $11,555, including Robertson’s in-kind contributions. His only other itemized contributors are Ed’s Carpet owner Ed Wolmack ($1,000) and attorney Jack Buckles ($500).

A retired public policy director for Planned Parenthood, Errington has raised $45,540,
including $3,698 from individuals and $5,550 from political action committees. Her PAC contributors include $200 from the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, which represents package liquor stores, $500 from the Beer Industry PAC and other contributions from AT&T, dental, firefighter, health care, hotel, cable and lawyer PACs.
Tax caps ‘devastating’

Nutritionist Judith Roepke, former chairwoman of the Delaware County Health Board and a retired professor, associate provost and dean from Ball State University, is one of the individual contributors to Errington.

“She works hard and really researches issues so that she understands the ramifications of changes that might be made, and she really listens to her constituents,” Roepke said. Errington has taken heat for voting against the proposed amendment to the Indiana Constitution to place caps on property taxes. The amendment will not provide additional property tax relief, because the provisions of the amendment already are in state
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“She knows many of us are very concerned about the effect of property tax caps on schools, libraries and city and county government,” Roepke said. “It’s just devastating. People don’t realize we have to pay for these services if we want them to be effective. And
fortunately, our taxes are not that bad. Go to other states or countries if you want to see high taxes. We are moderately taxed here.”

Mike Kilgore, owner of Friendly Package liquor stores, donated $150 to Coulter because, “He’s in my industry, I’ve known him a long time and he’s always been a fair person to me.

“He understands small business and the position we are put in as businessmen. Our community needs to be kick-started. We need growth.”

Contact reporter Seth Slabaugh at 213-5834.