Nick Uecker will remain in the District 3 Smith-Green School board seat he was appointed to just weeks ago after defeating Adam Cartwright, 958-897 in Tuesday’s election.

Uecker said he was “very, very glad” when he heard the results. “I just hope I can live up to everyone’s expectations,” he said late Tuesday night.

Locally, the Republicans could claim a sweep, but across the nation, that was not the case.

There was dancing and jubilation in the streets as it was announced that Barack Obama had won the election. In Chicago, it was estimated that more than a million people gathered to hear Obama’s celebratory speech. Among the crowd stood many well-known African American  leaders as well as celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee and Brad Pitt.

Obama moved many in the crowd to tears as he said, “I see you and I need your help.”

“The road will be steep, but I promise … we, as a people, will get there.”

He praised John McCain and said he was looking forward to working with the war hero who had always fought valiantly for his country.

He told his two young daughters that they had earned a new puppy to take to their new home in the White House. He also thanked his wife, Michelle, who he called “the love of my life” and recognized his grandmother - who recently passed away.

At 1:30 a.m. the presidential race in Indiana was still too close to call. But that didn’t matter to many.

Several Churubusco students living in Bloomington and attending Indiana University said the campus and Bloomington in general erupted in celebration - complete with fireworks and “lots of yelling, screaming and tears of joy,” after it was announced that Obama had gathered the electoral votes needed to win the election. Hundreds of I.U. students gathered around Bloomington throughout the day in election watch parties and also were featured throughout the evening on NBC.

Following are the Whitley County and Smith Township results:

WHITLEY COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS:

Machine ballots: Machine Ballots - 11686

Number of precincts reported 33 of 34 - (As of midnight, Richland South was not yet in);

Absentee Ballots - 3712

Registered voters, 72.04%

President and Vice President
60.00% John McCain (R)
38.55% Barack Obama (D)
1.22% Bob Barr (L)
0.23% Write-In

Governor and Lieutenant Governor
60.44% Mitch Daniels (R)
37.39% Jill Long Thompson (D)
2.14% Andy Horning (L)
0.03% Write-In

Attorney General
55.53% Greg Zoeller (R)
44.47% Linda Pence (D)

Superintendent of Public Instruction
61.75% Tony Bennett (R)
38.21% Richard D. Wood (D)
0.04% Write-In
U.S. Rep District 3

55.74% Mark Edward Souder (R)
38.25% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
6.02% William R. Larsen (L)

State Rep District 50
100.00% Dan J. Leonard (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

State Rep District 83
64.73% Matt Bell (R)
31.80% Steven B. Heaston (D)
3.47% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

County Treasurer
100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

County Coroner
100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

County Commissioner District 1
60.52% Tom Rethlake (R)
39.48% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

County Commissioner District 3
100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

County Council At-Large
27.76% Jim Banks (R)
27.20% Bill Overdeer (R)
27.26% Thomas Western (R)
17.78% Cliff Crance (D)

Smith-Green School District 1
No Candidate Filed

Smith-Green School District 2
100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

Smith-Green School District 3
48.36% Adam Cartwright
51.64% Nicholas B. Uecker

Whitley Co School Columbia City
39.66% Christopher A. Bechtold
16.44% Eric Horvath
43.90% Stanley E. Meyer

Whitley County School Corp Etna
44.00% Donald L. Smith
56.00% Jill E. Western

Whitley County School Corporation Jefferson
100.00% Steven J. Hively
Whitley County School Corporation Union
59.30% Deborah G. Hiss
40.70% Mark Roach

Whitley County School Corp Washington
100.00% James Renbarger
Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 1053; Libertarian Party 4; Republican Party 2492.

SMITH WEST ELECTION SUMMARY:

Machine Ballots - M Absentee Ballots - A

REGISTERED VOTERS: 79.44%

President and Vice President
Machine Ballots-Absentee ballots-Total votes-Percentage-Name of candidate

230-60-290-68.88%-John McCain (R)
89-35-124-29.45% Barack Obama (D)
1.43% Bob Barr (L)

0.24% Write-In

VOTES 408 Governor and Lieutenant Governor
M A Votes %

222-56-278-8.14%-Mitch Daniels (R)
91 33 124 30.39% Jill Long Thompson (D)
5 1 6 1.47% Andy Horning (L)

VOTES- 386 Attorney General
M A Votes %

185-48-233-60.36%-Greg Zoeller (R)
114 39 153 39.64% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES- 363 Superintendent of Public Instruction

196 51 247 68.04% Tony Bennett (R)
82 34 116 31.96% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES- 410 U.S. Rep District 3
M A Votes %

199 48 247 60.24% Mark Edward Souder (R)
99 35 134 32.68% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
21 8 29 7.07% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 392 State Rep District 83
M A Votes %

217 57 274 69.90% Matt Bell (R)
74 27 101 25.77% Steven B. Heaston (D)
14 3 17 4.34% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 339 County Treasurer VOTE FOR 1
264 75 339 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES- 331 County Coroner
256 75 331 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES- 0 County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 382 County Commissioner District 1
203 62 265 69.37% Tom Rethlake (R)
90 27 117 30.63% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES- 346 County Commissioner District 3
267 79 346 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES- 922 County Council At-Large
M A Votes %

200 64 264 28.63% Jim Banks (R)
194 65 259 28.09% Bill Overdeer (R)
193 65 258 27.98% Thomas Western (R)
109 32 141 15.29% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES- 0 Smith-Green School District - No Candidate Filed

VOTES- 296 Smith-Green School District 2
226 70 296 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES- 340 Smith-Green School District 3
136 43 179 52.65% Adam Cartwright
128 33 161 47.35% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 13; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 81.

SMITH SOUTH:

M- Machine Ballots (295)

A- Absentee Ballots (78) REGISTERED VOTERS: 71.18%

VOTES- 370 President and Vice President
M A Votes %

188 36 224 60.54% John McCain (R)
101 40 141 38.11% Barack Obama (D)
4 1 5 1.35% Bob Barr (L)

VOTES- 357 Governor and Lieutenant Governor

M A Votes %
175 42 217 60.78% Mitch Daniels (R)
99 33 132 36.97% Jill Long Thompson (D)
6 2 8 2.24% Andy Horning (L)

VOTES= 345 Attorney General
M A Votes %

147 38 185 53.62% Greg Zoeller (R)
125 35 160 46.38% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES= 341 Superintendent of Public Instruction
175 36 211 61.88% Tony Bennett (R)
93 37 130 38.12% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES= 360 U.S. Rep District 3
173 36 209 58.06% Mark Edward Souder (R)
90 37 127 35.28% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
20 4 24 6.67% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 352 State Rep District 83
M A Votes %

186 37 223 63.35% Matt Bell (R)
79 37 116 32.95% Steven B. Heaston (D)
11 2 13 3.69% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 288 County Treasurer
235 53 288 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 286 County Coroner
234 52 286 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 0 County Surveyor

No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 345 County Commissioner District
M A Votes %

174 39 213 61.74% Tom Rethlake (R)
98 34 132 38.26% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES= 288 County Commissioner District 3
233 55 288 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 800 County Council At-Large
183 39 222 27.75% Jim Banks (R)
181 38 219 27.38% Bill Overdeer (R)
177 43 220 27.50% Thomas Western (R)
102 37 139 17.38% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES= 0 Smith-Green School District - No Candidate Filed

VOTES= 248 Smith-Green School District 2
M A Votes %

201 47 248 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES= 284 Smith-Green School District 3
117 22 139 48.94% Adam Cartwright
111 34 145 51.06% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 36; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 76.

SMITH NORTHWEST:

M-Machine Ballots (570) A-Absentee Ballots 77 REGISTERED VOTERS: 67.47%

VOTES= 639 President and Vice President
M A Votes %

347 43 390 61.03% John McCain (R)
204 33 237 37.09% Barack Obama (D)
10 0 10 1.56% Bob Barr (L)
1 1 2 0.31% Write-In

VOTES= 628 Governor and Lieutenant Governor
346 50 396 63.06% Mitch Daniels (R)
197 20 217 34.55% Jill Long Thompson (D)
10 5 15 2.39% Andy Horning (L)

VOTES= 606 Attorney General
M A Votes %

294 44 338 55.78% Greg Zoeller (R)
238 30 268 44.22% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES= 592 Superintendent of Public Instruction
332 45 377 63.68% Tony Bennett (R)
189 26 215 36.32% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES= 634 U.S. Rep District 3
313 47 360 56.78% Mark Edward Souder (R)
206 28 234 36.91% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
38 2 40 6.31% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 613 State Rep District 83

M A Votes %
353 44 397 64.76% Matt Bell (R)
163 27 190 31.00% Steven B. Heaston (D)
22 4 26 4.24% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 515 County Treasurer
455 60 515 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 520 County Coroner
460 60 520 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 0 County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 595 County Commissioner District 1
329 47 376 63.19% Tom Rethlake (R)
191 28 219 36.81% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES= 498 County Commissioner District 3
441 57 498 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 1,389 County Council At-Large
350 48 398 28.65% Jim Banks (R)
342 44 386 27.79% Bill Overdeer (R)
317 40 357 25.70% Thomas Western (R)
220 28 248 17.85% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES= 0 Smith-Green School District 1 - No Candidate Filed

VOTES= 450 Smith-Green School District 2
401 49 450 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES= 505 Smith-Green School District 3
205 34 239 47.33% Adam Cartwright
244 22 266 52.67% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 53; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 134.

SMITH NORTHEAST:

M- Machine Ballots 487 A- Absentee Ballots REGISTERED VOTERS: 72.65%

VOTES= 558 President and Vice President
M A Votes %

292 37 329 58.96% John McCain (R)
183 36 219 39.25% Barack Obama (D)
8 1 9 1.61% Bob Barr (L)
1 1 0.18% Write-In

VOTES= 549 Governor and Lieutenant Governor
291 37 328 59.74% Mitch Daniels (R)
163 36 199 36.25% Jill Long Thompson (D)
21 1 22 4.01% Andy Horning (L)

VOTES= 528 Attorney General
263 40 303 57.39% Greg Zoeller (R)
193 32 225 42.61% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES= 514 Superintendent of Public Instruction
282 43 325 63.23% Tony Bennett (R)
158 31 189 36.77% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES= 553 U.S. Rep District 3
270 32 302 54.61% Mark Edward Souder (R)
167 41 208 37.61% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
41 2 43 7.78% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 537 State Rep District 83
321 44 365 67.97% Matt Bell (R)
125 28 153 28.49% Steven B. Heaston (D)
17 2 19 3.54% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 444 County Treasurer
390 54 444 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 441 County Coroner
388 53 441 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 0 County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 523 County Commissioner District 1
298 42 340 65.01% Tom Rethlake (R)
152 31 183 34.99% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES= 443 County Commissioner District 3
391 52 443 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 1,207 County Council At-Large
290 49 339 28.09% Jim Banks (R)
291 44 335 27.75% Bill Overdeer (R)
274 48 322 26.68% Thomas Western (R)
180 31 211 17.48% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES= 0 Smith-Green School District 1
No Candidate Filed

VOTES= 394 Smith-Green School District 2
349 45 394 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES= 443 Smith-Green School District 3
167 20 187 42.21% Adam Cartwright
228 28 256 57.79% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 41; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 103.

SMITH-EAST:

M-Machine Ballots (294) A-Absentee Ballots (50) REGISTERED VOTERS: 70.49%

VOTES= 339 President and Vice President
166 31 197 58.11% John McCain (R)
121 17 138 40.71% Barack Obama (D)
3 0 3 0.88% Bob Barr (L)
1 0 1 0.29% Write-In

VOTES= 328 Governor and Lieutenant Governor
160 25 185 56.40% Mitch Daniels (R)
114 21 135 41.16% Jill Long Thompson (D)
7 0 7 2.13% Andy Horning (L)
0 1 1 0.30% Write-In

VOTES= 317 Attorney General
144 25 169 53.31% Greg Zoeller (R)
128 20 148 46.69% Linda Pence (D)

VOTES= 313 Superintendent of Public Instruction
171 27 198 63.26% Tony Bennett (R)
95 20 115 36.74% Richard D. Wood (D)

VOTES= 336 U.S. Rep District 3
153 31 184 54.76% Mark Edward Souder (R)
112 17 129 38.39% Michael A. (Mike) Montagano (D)
23 0 23 6.85% William R. Larsen (L)

VOTES= 324 State Rep District 83
161 33 194 59.88% Matt Bell (R)
100 14 114 35.19% Steven B. Heaston (D)
16 0 16 4.94% Herbert (Jack) Evans (L)

VOTES= 273 County Treasurer
238 35 273 100.00% Lisa A. Richmond (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 273 County Coroner
237 36 273 100.00% Scott A. Smith (R)
0 0 0 0 0.00% No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 0 County Surveyor
No Candidate Filed (R)

No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 312 County Commissioner District 1
158 27 185 59.29% Tom Rethlake (R)
110 17 127 40.71% Timothy D. Hearld (D)

VOTES= 267 County Commissioner District 3
229 38 267 100.00% Don Amber (R)
No Candidate Filed (D)

VOTES= 759 County Council At-Large
181 30 211 27.80% Jim Banks (R)
173 33 206 27.14% Bill Overdeer (R)
159 31 190 25.03% Thomas Western (R)
133 19 152 20.03% Cliff Crance (D)

VOTES= 0 Smith-Green School District 1
No Candidate Filed

VOTES= 260 Smith-Green School District 2
223 37 260 100.00% Steven Lee Edwards

VOTES= 283 Smith-Green School District 3
136 17 153 54.06% Adam Cartwright
108 22 130 45.94% Nicholas B. Uecker

Straight Party Summary Information - Democratic Party 19; Libertarian Party 0; Republican Party 59.

For more Whitley County Precinct information or summaries go to elections.whitleynet.org.

Buscovoice.com will post the election results as quickly as we receive them after the polls close and throughout the night.

Stay tuned.

If you haven’t already voted - polls close at 6 p.m.

So do it, and take part in what is shaping up to be one of the most historic elections ever. Already, record numbers of Americans have lined up and waited for hours to cast their ballot.

An uncontested race in one district, no candidate in another and two candidates will face off in a third district in the November race for Smith-Green School Board.

District 1 was held by Brandon Almas, who left this summer to attend law school. The Board appointed Mike Sturgis to that District shortly thereafter. No candidate has filed to run in District 1 and Sturgis has agreed to continue his position for a full term.

In District 2, which is currently being served by Robert Amber, no candidate filed. The school board will have to appoint a replacement when Amber vacates his seat December 31. Steve Edwards has filed his candidacy and will run unopposed in District 2.

In District 3, voters will vote for Adam Cartwright or Nick Uecker, both of whom live in
Green Township. Buscovoice.com had the opportunity to talk with both candidates about why they are running for school board and what they would bring to the board, if elected.

Nick Uecker

Uecker is the newest member of the Smith-Green Community School board of directors, after being chosen to replace Paul Bowser, who resigned suddenly in early June, citing personal reasons.

Board members voted unanimously at the July 7 board meeting to choose Uecker over three other candidates for the District 3 Green Township seat.

“There have been problems in the school system for the last few years,” Uecker said of his reasons for deciding to stay on the board and run for the Green Township seat. “I would like to be involved in getting things headed in the right direction.”

Uecker is employed at Havel Bros., a Division of Shambaugh & Son. He has an associate degree from Vincennes University in Conservation Law Enforcement as well as a 5-year electrical apprenticeship with Local 305 in Ft. Wayne.

He has been a Churubusco Youth League soccer coach, a Whitley County 4-H archery leader and a Churubusco United Methodist Church trustee.

“I’m a reasonable and concerned member of this community,” Uecker said. “And I would like to get continuity between the public, teachers, and administrators.”

Uecker said he has the ability to see all sides of the issues, and - with children in elementary, middle, and high school - a vested interest in the best education they can get.

The most important thing he would bring to the board? “The ability to listen and reason,” he said, adding,

“I would like to get everyone involved to work together and do what is best for the bottom line, our children’s education.”

Adam Cartwright

Cartwright says his top priority, if elected to the board, would be the students.

“We must have good teachers and administration and must have good communication skills, but the kids must remain the top priority,” Cartwright said.

“It’s very important that the school gets a fresh start with the hiring of a new superintendent,” Cartwright said.

An attribute he believes he could bring to the board would be the oversight to question and spend more wisely.

“I was at a board meeting where one board member brought up the fact - and it was obvious that no one wanted him to bring it up - that the board had spent more than a thousand dollars to have a booklet rewritten and none of them were really satisfied with the result, but they paid the bill anyway,” Cartwright said. “That’s just one example.”

“I have an issue with how they have handled money on the past - not personally - but as a board,” Cartwright added.

“Not everyone is well off, and now that the board has decided to charge each student for transportation
(for extracurricular activities), it’s hard on some parents,” Cartwright said. “I have four kids. If they each play one only sport, it would be over $80 in extra fees.”

“The same night they decided to charge the students the extra transportation fee - which is per sport or activity - the board announced the school was buying a house,” Cartwright said. “And they didn’t even try to offer less than the appraised value.

“It didn’t make sense.”

Cartwright lives in Avilla with his wife, Sara, who works at the school part-time in the medical office.
He is employed at Steel Dynamics Inc. in Columbia City and their four children attend Churubusco schools - in kindergarten, third grade, second grade and preschool.

Cartwright said he thought Churubusco had a lot of great teachers, but lost quite a few due to conflicts with administration.

“I would like to work together with everyone so that we’re all always fighting for power,”
Cartwright said. “Some of the teachers (still employed) are scared of losing their jobs if they speak out and they are just playing the game,” he added. “But this is not a game. It is real life.

“We have some really good teachers,” Cartwright reiterated. “But we also have a few bad ones. I would like to see the board evaluate every employee at the school on a regular basis.”

Cartwright said he decided earlier this year to run for school board.

“I’ve always wanted to help,” he said. “I would put kids first, taxpayers second.”

About Steve Edwards

Edwards said he is running for school board to impact the quality of education SGCS is known for.

“There was a time when we had superior schools in a supportive community (the school’s motto),” Edwards said. “Our community is still supportive to an extent, but our schools have suffered immensely.  The misgivings of a few well-meaning individuals took a grave toll on SGCS.”

What Edwards said he will bring to the board is the ability to respectfully disagree with issues that will not benefit SGCS – no matter what that may be.

“I will hold individuals accountable for ineffectiveness in their responsibilities to the students, parents and teachers of SGCS – no matter who they may be,” he added. “And I will shape policy with my fellow board members in a manner that is efficient and beneficial to the taxpayers, students and teachers of SGCS.”

Edwards is the assistant branch manager of National City Bank in Churubusco. He holds a B.S. degree in Business information Systems as well as an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.

He has been Past Master of the Churubusco Masonic Lodge, a parent volunteer at the school including  career interviews and classroom teaching and chairman of Endowment Committee at Churubusco United Methodist Church.

Edwards cites his involvement in the school as a parent as the top qualification for serving on the school board. “I’m a parent concerned about our schools,” he said. “I also have several years business management experience in addition to my educational accomplishments.”

The top priority, given the events of the past few weeks, Edwards said, is hiring a superintendent.  “This is not going to be a quick fix and will take time to get the right,” he added. “We need the right person  with the right attributes for SGCS.  We don’t need to be in a hurry to just make an expensive mistake three years from now.”

Another priority is budget concerns and working as a board to correct the costly mistakes that were made over the past few years.  A parallel concern, obviously, is the staff relations and teacher retention.  In talking with some teachers and staff, teacher retention would not be nearly the problem it has been with quality relations with the staff, Edwards said.

Another priority is looking for alternate sources of funding as enrollment continues to decrease, along with state funding, Edwards said.

Edwards would like to explore the possibility of a Smith Green Education Foundation.  “Education Foundations are a growing source of funding not only for schools but for community organizations as well,” he said.

Edwards thinks the key to handling board concerns and problems of the past and future is to do so  head-on.

“It’s no secret that there have been tremendous struggles in the past and those are not expected to dissipate anytime soon,” he said. “All of us – the board, the parents, the community are in this together.  Parents need to be involved with the activities of the corporation, the board members must continue to be accessible to the community, and the corporation needs to act a responsible member of this community.”

“Honest and forthright communication and action on the parts of all of us crucial to make SGCS as successful as possible.”

It what has already become a never-before-seen turnout - based on absentee and early voting results - the November Election promises not only to be exciting, but historical and record-breaking, as well.

All this week, voters stood in line at the Allen and Whitley County courthouses to place their vote early. An election worker in the Whitley County election office said Friday she had never seen anything like it.

The official ballot for each precinct in Whitley County and Smith Township can be found at elections.whitleynet.org or a brief summary of candidates as well as polling locations are shown below.

For President and Vice President of the United States, voters may select:

Republican - John McCain/Sarah Palin

Democrat - Barack Obama/Joe Biden

Libertarian - Bob Barr and Wayne A. Root.

(Voters may write in a selection, but it must be an official pre-approved write-in name to be counted.)

For Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Indiana:

R) Mitch Daniels and Becky Skillman

D) Jill Long Thompson and Dennis Oxley

L) Andy Horning and Lisa Kelly

Indiana Attorney General:

R) Greg Zoeller

D) Linda Pence

Superintendent of Public Instruction:

R) Tony Bennett

D) Richard D. Wood

U.S. Representative, District 3

R) Mark Edward Souder

D) Michael A. (Mike) Montagano

L) William R. Larsen

State Representative, District 83

Vote For One (1) Only

R) Matt Bell

D) Steven B. Heaston

L) Herbert (Jack) Evans

County Treasurer:

R) Lisa A. Richmond

County Coroner:

R) Scott A. Smith

County Surveyor:

No Candidates Filed

County Commissioner, District 1

Vote for One (1) Only

R) Tom Rethlake

D) Timothy D. Hearld

County Commissioner, District 3

R) Don Amber

County Council At-Large:

Vote for Three (3) Only

R) Jim Banks

R) Bill Overdeer

R) Thomas Western

D) Cliff Crance

Smith-Green Community School Corporation School Board

District 1

Vote for One (1) Only

No Candidate Filed

District 2

Vote for One (1) Only

Steven Lee Edwards

District 3

Vote for One (1) Only

Adam Cartwright

Nicholas B. Uecker

Indiana Supreme Court:

Vote for One (1) Only

“Shall Justice Randall T.

Shepard be retained in office?”

___Yes

___No

Indiana Supreme Court:

Vote for One (1) Only

“Shall Justice Theodore R.

Boehm be retained in office?”

___ Yes

___ No

Indiana Supreme Court:

Vote for One (1) Only

“Shall Justice Brent E.

Dickson be retained in office?”

___ Yes

___ No

Indiana Court of Appeals:

Fourth District

Vote for One (1) Only

“Shall Judge Carr L. Darden be

retained in office?”

___ Yes

___ No

Indiana Tax Court Judge:

Vote for One (1) Only

“Shall Judge Thomas G. Fisher

be retained in office?”

___ Yes

___ No

 

 Polling locations:

 

  WHITLEY COUNTY 

         Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of Whitley County has designated the following locations for the GENERAL ELECTION to be held continuously between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. in Whitley County on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2008.

CLEVELAND NORTHEAST Cleveland Township Fire Dept 217 N State St, South Whitley

CLEVELAND NORTHWEST Cleveland Township Fire Dept 217 N State St, South Whitley

CLEVELAND SOUTH Whitko High School One Big Blue Ave, South Whitley

COLUMBIA NORTHEAST Indian Springs Middle School 1692 South St Rd 9, CC

COLUMBIA SOUTH Indian Springs Middle School 1692 South St Rd 9, CC

COLUMBIA NORTHWEST First Church of God 1200 DePoy Dr, CC

COLUMBIA #1 Marshall Building 107 N Walnut St, CC

COLUMBIA #2 Whitley Co Government Center 220 W Van Buren St, CC

COLUMBIA #3 Marshall Building 107 N Walnut St, CC

COLUMBIA #4 Grace Lutheran Church 204 N Main St, CC

COLUMBIA #5 Zion Lutheran Church 101 E North St, CC

COLUMBIA #6 Zion Lutheran Church 101 E North St, CC

COLUMBIA #7 Whitley Co Government Center 220 W Van Buren St, CC

COLUMBIA #8 Grace Lutheran Church 204 N Main St, CC

ETNA TROY-ETNA Etna Troy Community Center 4905 N 550 West, CC

ETNA TROY-TROY Etna Troy Community Center 4905 N 550 West, CC

JEFFERSON EAST Saturn Christian Church 6731 E 800 South, CC

JEFFERSON WEST Jefferson Twp. Fire Station 5090 E 800 South, CC

RICHLAND NORTH Whitko Middle School 710 N State Road 5, Larwill

RICHLAND SOUTH Whitko Middle School 710 N State Road 5, Larwill

SMITH EAST Churubusco Middle School 3 Eagle Drive, Churubusco

SMITH NORTHEAST Boy Scout Building Scout Dr, Churubusco

SMITH NORTHWEST Blue Lake Community Bldg 7490 E 550 North, Churubusco

SMITH SOUTH Churubusco Town Hall 215 Home Ave, Churubusco

SMITH WEST Churubusco Middle School 3 Eagle Drive, Churubusco

THORNCREEK NORTH Thorncreek Fire Station 821 E 500 North, CC

THORNCREEK NORTHEAST Thorncreek Fire Station 821 E 500 North, CC

THORNCREEK NORTHWEST Big Lake Church of God 6955 N St Rd 109, CC

THORNCREEK SOUTH Eagle Quest Church 1120 N St Rd 109, CC

UNION EAST Coesse Elementary School 2250 S 500 East, CC

UNION WEST Coesse Elementary School 2250 S 500 East, CC

UNION/CC (same as Union West) Coesse Elementary School 2250 S 500 East, CC

WASHINGTON NORTH Washington Twp. Community Bldg 7893 S Washington Rd, CC

WASHINGTON SOUTH Washington Twp. Community Bldg 7893 S Washington Rd, CC

 

An uncontested race in one district, no candidate in another and two candidates will face off in a third district in the November race for Smith-Green School Board.

In District 1, no notice of candidacy was filed before the deadline. But, the Smith-Green Community Schools Board of Trustees swore in Michael Sturgis on Sept. 15 to replace board member Brandon Almas, who resigned this summer.

Sturgis agreed to finish the rest of Almas’ term - which ends Dec. 31 - and to stay on for another four-year term since no candidate had filed to run for the seat.

In District 2 Steve Edwards will run unopposed.

In District 3, Adam Cartwright and incumbent Nick Uecker will appear on the ballot.

Watch this Web site in October for political profile interviews with the candidates.

Voicing out loud a thought that has been on the minds of local Democrats for several weeks, Columbia City Mayor Jim Fleck may have announced his future political aspirations Thursday night.

“Yes, I am running for vice president,” Fleck said, laughing, as he addressed the Whitley County Democratic party at the Eagles Nest Event Center during the annual Thomas Riley Marshall dinner.

Alluding to the political qualifications of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, a former small town mayor, Fleck outlined his own qualifications.

“We fixed potholes, we collected garbage and we provide for little children in the park,” Fleck said. “The difference is that our population is 6.1 per square mile and hers is 1.1 per square mile.”

Fleck went on to say he’d been to Washington more times than she has, has met the head of the United Nations, adding, “So that makes me doubly ready!”

For more go to our Whitley Web News partner Talk of the Town …

 Story and photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano

Above, local Democrats socialize before the Thomas Riley Marshall dinner Thursday evening in Columbia City. From left is Tim Bloom, Mayor Jim Fleck, John Passey and Councilman Roger Seymoure. Below, Fleck shakes hands with Congressional candidate Michael Montagano.

JASPER — The gubernatorial candidates took many jabs at each other during Tuesday night’s debate at the Jasper Arts Center in Jasper.

 

Republican incumbent Mitch Daniels and challengers Democrat Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian Andy Horning weren’t allowed to go back and forth with each other directly. Each candidate had 90 seconds to answer a question submitted by a voter and 45 seconds for a rebuttal. As the hourlong debate neared the end, the response time was cut to a minute, with no time for rebuttal.

 

But even in that format, the candidates managed to chastise one another, with Daniels and Long Thompson chastising each other and Horning chastising them.

“You’ve represented your parties well,” Horning said in his closing statement. He also addressed the audience in his last comments, saying, “You know what they represent. Why do you keep voting for that?”

 

More than 600 people attended the debate. No campaign materials were allowed inside and the audience was instructed to remain quiet during the discussion, which aired live on television and radio stations. The signs and displays outside the arts center were evidence that supporters of Daniels and Long Thompson were out in force and proud of their candidate.

The trio addressed seven questions that were vetted by the Indiana Debate Commission, sponsor of the debate. Moderator Jo Ann M. Gora, president of Ball State University, kept the debate moving, at times starting to cut off a candidate to move on to the next candidate.

Gentryville resident Paul Higgs started the debate by asking if the candidates favor removing the sales tax on heating oils. Long Thompson said she does and took time to also mention her call to Daniels to suspend the sales tax on gasoline.

 

“Hoosier families need a break,” she said.

Daniels, who doesn’t support the idea, explained during his time that the governor does not have the authority to suspend the tax on gas. Horning said he would support consolidating the sales taxes but not eliminating them.

Most of the bickering was between Daniels and Long Thompson. When Andy Mahler, a community organizer from Paoli, asked about the candidates’ stances on protecting forests, Long Thompson tied the issue to the economy and, thus, jobs.

“We have lost 64,000 jobs,” she said. “We are losing jobs at a faster rate than any other state.”

“No, we aren’t losing job at a faster rate,” Daniels said during his rebuttal. “We’re gaining jobs.”

“We have more unemployed people this week than last week,” Long Thompson said in her rebuttal, “when we had our last debate.”

Horning noted the bickering in the final rebuttal for the question.

“We got off the topic of logging a bit,” he said.

 

Many times the candidates, including Horning, got off the topic, despite Gora’s reminder of the question’s subject. Horning tied several of the topics — education, township government, health care — to political parties, stating that government would run more smoothly if it got rid of politicians.

The debate was hosted by Vincennes University Jasper Campus and the City of Jasper. It was the second of three debates being held by the debate commission. The final debate will be Oct. 14 in Bloomington.

By CANDY NEAL

Herald Staff Writer

Jasper, IN

 

Contact Candy Neal at cneal@dcherald.com.

The Whitley County Democratic Party will hold its Annual Thomas R. Marshall Dinner at the Eagles Nest Event Center at Eagle Glen in Columbia City on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Social Hour will begin at 6 p.m. and dinner will be at 7 p.m.

Whitley County Democrat Chairwoman Patty Weybright has announced that Sen. Evan Bayh will be the guest speaker for the evening.

Also speaking will be Congressional candidate Michael Montagano, and Lt. Governor candidate Dennis Oxley may also attend.

During dinner, the local Whitley County Democrat Party will name the recipient of the annual John W. Whitleather Chairman’s Award, as well as the Thomas R. Marshall Award.

Reservations can be made by sending a check for $30 per person to Whitley County Democratic Party, P.O. Box 807, Columbia City, IN. 46725.

Reservations must be made by September 20 and paid in advance.

CHURUBUSCO — The Indiana Third District Democrats are hosting the monthly Breakfast Club Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at Brevin’s Downtown Eatery & Lounge, 200 S.  Main St., Churubusco.

Featured speaker will be Richard Wood, candidate for Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. Wood will elaborate on the current state of education in Indiana.

Any Democrat is welcome to attend. Guests will order from the menu. Breakfast Club membership is $5 per person.

To make a reservation call Randy Schmidt, Third District treasurer, at 432-8215 or Steve Haines, Third District chairman, at 574-269-4581.