Candidates in the State Senate District 26 race are nearly a textbook contrast between Democratic and Republican values and ideals — between government activism (Democrat Sue Errington) and limited government (Republican Doug Eckerty).

Errington, retired public policy director of Planned Parenthood, is seeking a second term in the Senate. She has served her district well, although her effectiveness has been blunted because she’s serving in the minority party. Republicans control the senate 33 to 17, one seat short of a quorum.

To her credit, Errington has often been the voice of reason when partisanship rancor has tried to prevail over what’s best for the people. For example, it was Errington who got the Muncie City Council to reconsider a vote this year to issue bonds to repair Tuhey Pool.

But the issues that face East Central Indiana call for a stronger voice, a candidate with a plan and the guts to back it up, whether in the majority or the minority.

The Star Press Editorial Board believes that candidate is Doug Eckerty, whose clear-cut vision and ability to outline a blueprint for a better Muncie and Delaware County, stand out.

With experience as an insurance agent and in real estate property management, Eckerty has knowledge about the economy and business climate that should serve his district well.

Eckerty is calling for an overhaul of how we view ourselves as a community. He explains that Muncie and Delaware County work like other communities, fighting for a finite number of companies and their jobs, the same ones other communities seek as well.

He proposes drawing on the expertise of Ball State University and Ivy Tech to transform our schools into leaders of public education. He wants world-class schools that will change our image, and then, he says, businesses will follow. He sees a day when businesses will want to come here rather than having to be recruited to move here.

Eckerty admits this won’t be easy, and it will take a buy-in from everyone in the community — every single person. Progress will be gradual and the it will take years. Eckerty thinks it’s realistic, and so do we.

Errington wants legislation to help small businesses gain access to capital and entrepreneurship. She envisions a small-business concierge to help businesses find and use resources to help them grow. Her plan has merits, but there are existing programs out there that are supposed to be doing this already.

Eckerty seems more in tune with the needs of the district, and he has a vision that goes beyond government solving every problem. If elected, Eckerty would serve in the majority party in the senate, and that should help bring benefits and clout to his district.

We do, however, have strong advice for Eckerty should he win the seat. He must be willing to work with Democrats for the mutual good of the state.

The Star Press would be remiss if we did not mention our disappointment with some of Eckerty’s campaign advertisements. We hope these are the mistakes of a new politician facing a tough challenge from an incumbent and not the way he intends to do the people’s business.

Delaware County is tired of politics, particularly the bipartisan fighting and finger-pointing. Eckerty needs to set an example. We would encourage Eckerty to turn down the negative rhetoric and stick to issues that are germane to serving as a state senator.

Eckerty and his visions for our future deserve a chance to succeed or fail. The current thinking and approach to solving problems have not gone far enough to move the district toward a better and prosperous future. Eckerty is the right person to jump start the process and he should be elected to the state Senate.

To read this article from The Star Press, please click the link below.

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20101027/OPINION01/10270347/OUR-VIEW-Doug-Eckerty-shows-vision