Pubdate: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY) Copyright: 2002 Messenger-Inquirer Contact: http://www.messenger-inquirer.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285 Authors: Jonna D. Spelbring, and Clint Hadden DRUG PROSECUTION, CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT CALLED CRITICAL 2002 General Election - McLean County Attorney The candidates for McLean County attorney agree that the county has increasing problems with drugs and a continuing problem with child support. Incumbent Democrat Billy Quisenberry hopes his record will speak for itself. Since 1990, Quisenberry has worked on initiatives including the handling of cold checks for merchants, operation of a child support collection system and addressing the county's methamphetamine issue. Republican Laura Rushing Eaton views this election as an opportunity for residents to make changes in its judicial system, at least in the area of district court. Longtime District Judge Charles Elschide is retiring, meaning a new judge will be elected to fill the post. "This is a chance for the county to elect a new judge and a new county attorney," Eaton said. "I think in order to get the full impact of the changes this will bring to district court, the county needs new faces in both positions. It needs fresh ideas and new energy." Quisenberry said the child support collection program, which collected $612,483 in 2001, is ranked among the best in the state. Under the program, anyone is eligible to apply for collection of child support or attain child support orders. "It's important to keep people off the welfare system," Quisenberry said. Eaton is also supportive of the child support collection system. "Anyone who wants the state to handle child support can come to us and have us do it free of charge," Eaton said. Quisenberry added that the enforcement of child support collection is important because "I think the (parent) that's paying support will more likely create bonds with that child that are beneficial to that child and society as a whole." Both candidates agree that methamphetamine presents a severe problem to the county, and that the county attorney must be involved in the fight to stop meth abuse and production. The county attorney has to be available to law enforcement anytime a search warrant is issued, even if the call comes in the wee hours of the morning. "You've got to be there for the police when that call comes, and that call comes more and more frequently," Quisenberry said. Quisenberry said it's important to get out into the community to teach McLean Countians about drugs. Each year the county attorney's office sets up a booth at the county fair, trying to educate parents and children. "It's a community problem. It's not necessarily just a law enforcement problem," Quisenberry said. Eaton believes harsher penalties may help solve the county's drug problems. "From my end, I believe there needs to be stiff penalties for drug offenders," she said. "With the situation in this county and in this country as a whole, we can't take it lightly. We need stiff penalties for all offenders that include jail time." Both candidates bring considerable experience to this race. Eaton has been practicing law since 1992. In 1994, she began practicing in McLean County and started practicing here full time in 1997. Eaton worked as a public defender from 1993 to 1997. In 1997, she began work as a special prosecutor for child support in Muhlenberg and Ohio counties. This is Eaton's second attempt at running for county attorney; she also ran in 1998. "This is my home," Eaton said. "This is where I raise my children. It's obvious that I want this to be a safe place for my family." Quisenberry said he hopes to continue the activities that have helped him to make an impact. "I want to keep this community the friendly community, the caring community, and by working as a prosecutor, I think that lets me have a role in those activities," Quisenberry said. Eaton's primary goal, should she be elected, is to make the position much more accessible to the people of the county. "My office will be open to the public," Eaton said. "I will be available to anyone with legitimate goals and complaints. I think that's very important for a county attorney's office." Eaton said the county should embrace change, that what it has now is fine, but that it can have better. "I think in any position, especially government, change is healthy," she said. "Otherwise, it might grow stagnant." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom