B4

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015

HERALD-PRESS, HUNTINGTON, IND.

HERALD-PRESS, HUNTINGTON, IND.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015

ELECTION GUIDE

ELECTION GUIDE

Republican Primary

Republican Primary

Mayor

City Common Council 1st District

Buzzard

Fetters

Hiles

Sprinkle

Chapman

Brooks Fetters

Tony L. Hiles

Gregory K. Sprinkle

Biographical Information: My experience

on City Council, County Council, Commissioner and a small business owner sets me apart.
Before starting my own business I worked in
management for Fortune 500 companies and
small family businesses. I have nine years of
service in local government. I believe in hiring good people, giving them responsibility
and letting them do their job. I believe in the
Republican principles of low taxes, smaller
government and more personal freedom and
responsibility. It is this philosophy that is the
basis of how I have lead and its how I will
serve as mayor of the city of Huntington.

Biographic Information: I married Barb

(Deemer) Fetters in 1980 together we have
three daughters and four grandchildren. I graduated from HNHS and earned a bachelors degree
in business administration and a masters degree
from Huntington University. I am a licensed
funeral director and ordained minister. Prior to
becoming mayor, I operated Myers Funeral
Homes in Huntington and Markle for 13 years.
I am a member of the College Park Church,
Huntington Rotary Club and served on City
Council (20062011). My wife and I will soon
open the Purviance House Bed and Breakfast in
the Drover Town District.

Why do you want to run for this office?: I

have been involved in local politics since 1995,
when I first ran for city council. It has become
my passion and I think I have much to offer our
city as mayor. I am concerned for the future
of our city and the direction it is headed. How
our tax dollars are being spent and how our
finances and city services are being managed. I believe we need to get back to the
basics of local government: welltrained and
wellstaffed police and fire departments, quality water and sewer utilities, wellmaintained
streets and parks and landfill.

Why do you want to run for this office?: During my administration, the city has gained a firm
financial footing, people have obtained meaningful jobs and vacant industrial buildings have been
filled. Miles of streets have been paved, sewers
have been improved and water towers built providing the essential infrastructure needed to retain
and expand jobs for decades. Parks have been
enhanced, trails have been expanded and neighborhood blight has been removed. We reduced
city government by 17 percent and now deliver
services in a leaner, more costeffective way. I am
seeking a second term because I love Huntington
and want to see it reach its beautiful future.

Biographical information: I have lived in Huntington county most of my life. My wife Johnnie
and I have two children, Aaron and Kassie; a
grandson, Caedyn; and our fourlegged baby
named Milo. My wife and I have volunteered and
supported several organizations and benefits in
our community. I am the founder and chief operating officer of Von Inc., a concrete paving and
excavation company. Graduated from Huntington North High School, attended Ball State University and completed the Operating Engineers
Apprenticeship Program. I have received several
certifications. I have also served two terms on
the Huntington County Property Tax Assessment
Board of Appeals.

Biographical information: My experience as a veteran with nine years in the

military during the Vietnam era as well as
serving 38 years in health care management with budget responsibilities and 80
employees gives me the skill sets necessary to hold the office of mayor. My style
of management includes putting the most
knowledgeable people in the correct positions and surrounding myself with a strong
leadership team to perform the essential operational functions. I will bring the
professionalism and efficiency that I have
used throughout my career to operate the
city.

Biographical Information: I have worked in

business and industry for more than 35 years
as a marketing professional. For the past 25
years I have been the advertising manager
at Ford Meter Box in Wabash. A graduate of
Ball State University, I am married with one
adult son. I am a member of College Park
Church, Kiwanis, the American Water Works
Association, the Cosmopolitan Club and the
Boys and Girls Club marketing committee. I
have served on the Huntington County Community School Corporation School Board of
Trustees, the Boys and Girls Club Board, College Park Church Council and other boards
and committees.

Why do you want to run for this office?:

Running a construction business for over 22
years has given me firsthand knowledge of
what it takes to survive the economic climate
in good and bad times. Leadership brings jobs,
employment, wages that support families.
Poor spending practices and high local taxes
drive away businesses and our labor force. The
citizens and taxpayers in our community keep
giving and its time for our city to start taking
care of the people and families that live in this
community. I believe in the principles of fiscal
conservatism, limited government and an honest government that is held accountable to the
taxpayers.

Why do you want to run for this office?: It is time for a change and I am the
best person to lead that change. My vision
for our city includes less privatization of
city government, addressing concerns of
business owners, promoting services for
the senior housing downtown and focusing
resources for the betterment of all citizens
in the City of Huntington.

Why do you want to run for this office?:

My father encouraged me to serve the community. During the campaign I am a candidate, but when elected Ill become a legisla-

What do you feel are the most important

issues facing this office? How will you deal
with those issues?: How CEDIT and TIF
monies are spent. I would use those dollars
to attract and retain industry, create jobs and
increase our assessed value. We need to
use these dollars to get a good rate of return
on our investment. Lowering our tax rate to
attract business and residents back to the
city. Maintaining and upgrading our existing
infrastructure and assets before acquiring,
building or taking on additional projects. Working with county and township government to
streamline government and provide efficient
and costeffective public safety for all. Training
and fairly compensating our city employees;
they are our greatest asset.

What do you feel are the most important

issues facing this office? How will you deal
with these issues if reelected?: Creating
meaningful jobs as mayor, I have collaborated
with the county and business leaders to make
real progress. Launching the Regional Learning
Center ensures that workers have the skills and
trades required to support local businesses.
Attracting and retaining young talent is also
critical to Huntingtons future. As mayor, I have
worked with our schools, HU and the Chamber
to attract and retain young professionals. Doing
so requires qualityoflife amenities, like trails
and greenways, a vibrant downtown in which to
launch small businesses all things I have accomplished or am working toward.

What do you feel are the most important

issues facing this office? How will you deal
with these issues if elected?: As a fiscal conservative, I dont feel that we should continue to
waste our tax money. According to my documents with the $7 million recently approved the
city debt is over $66.9 million. Lets work to end
the special projects that keep growing our debt
without fixing the core infrastructure that we rely
upon. We can significantly lower our tax rates.
Its not hard to understand why businesses
leave when our tax rates are some of the highest in the state. Its not a matter of having less
money to spend, but to stop frivolous spending.

Biographical Information: Born Dec. 18,

1942. Live at 216 Whitelock St. Born in Huntington and lived most of my life here. Family
settled here in the 1800s. Memberships Sons American Legion, Legion Riders, VFW
Mens Auxiliary, lifetime member National
Rifle Association, past member Southside
Business Association, past treasurer of local
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers and have private pilots license. As a
representative for the Huntington city council
I sat on the board of Huntington County
Economic Development between 2011 and
2014. Private investment of $125,600,276
was put into our economy creating 913 new
jobs and retaining 5,006.
Why do you want to run for this office?:
I want to provide the most amount of quality

service for the least cost to the taxpayer. I

will introduce programs that have a positive
return on the investment. These programs
include the utilization of methane gas at the
city landfill and wastewater plant to generate
electricity. I will work to have city vehicles
use compressed natural gas. This will save
the taxpayers thousands of dollars annually.
What do you feel are the most important
issues facing this office? How will you
deal with those issues?: Our tax rate is
too high. I will work to lower it. We need an
industrial park in order to provide the space
needed by industry to locate in Huntington
or for existing companies to expand. This
will create new jobs. These employers and
employees will add to the tax base, which
should lover the tax rate.

What do you feel are the most important

issues facing this office? How will you deal
with those issues?: The biggest issues for
Huntington are job creation and retention of existing businesses. I would partner with HCUED,
the Chamber of Commerce and local business
leaders to develop and implement strategies to
attract new businesses and help grow our existing businesses in order to continue to move the
city forward. It is vital that the city council serve
in the best interest of the citizens of the City of
Huntington and that there is open communication between local government and the citizens
it serves. There will always be infrastructure
concerns and I would help to ensure that we
are addressing them in an efficient and costeffective manner.

Biographical Information: Republican Party. 78 years old.

Retired. High school graduate. Completion of 20 years on city
council. Married to Sandy, two children. Member of St. Peter
Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Biographical Information: I have 19 years on the

Huntington school board and I feel this is good qualifications for a seat on the Huntington council. The
Huntington school corporation has 500 employees
and a $50 million budget, that I have sat on.

Why do you want to run for this office?: I would like to run for
this office to see the continuation of the projects the city has started
the last few years such as landfill upgrades, upgrading the parks,
installation of ADA ramps, installation of trails, removing blighted
areas, promoting economic development and retention of jobs.

Why do you want to run for this office?: I believe

my out of box thinking will be able to save taxpayers money. I also have the ability to say no to unneeded expenses.

Baxter

Why do you want to run for this office?:

I believe at some point the next generation
has to get involved in running and planning
for the future for our city. I believe that at 41
I have the right combination of education,
energy and motivation to make sure that
our great city continues to grow. My wife
and I have four children in middle school
in Huntington and I want to do everything I
can to make sure that Huntington is a great

place for them to raise a family, which I think

is vital to keep my childrens generation in
Huntington for continued growth within the
city.
What do you feel are the most important
issues facing this office? How will you
deal with those issues?: We need to make
sure our tax money is being used in the best
way possible as it relates to city services
and our streets, sidewalks and parks. I
believe it is difficult to convince businesses
to come to Huntington with poor streets and
sidewalks. I would work with the mayors
office and HCUED to bring good jobs to
Huntington. I would talk to the city workers
and get their input to make sure the streets
and parks are top notch. I will listen to my
constituents, find out what is important to
them and vote and govern accordingly.

Larry S. Parker

William R. (Bill) Oswalt

Biographical Information: Served as Huntington County Democrat Chairman 19921996. Served as treasurer, precinct committeeman. Served as county representative for
former governors Frank OBannon and Evan
Bayh. Campaigned with former congresswoman Jill Long, former representative J.
Edward Roush. Have been involved with The
Huntington County Democrat party since the
1960s and proudly voted in every election in
the past 50 years. I am a veteran of the U.
S. Air Force with an honorable discharge in
1969. I belong to American Legion Post 160. I
am presently on the Board of Directors of the

Huntington Cancer Services and the Huntington County Historical Museum.

Why do you want to run for this office?: I
have been interested in and enjoy the political
process. My grandma was a big fan of former
congressman Ed Roush and I enjoyed having
Mr. Chuck Wolford for Government class.
I strongly believe Huntington needs more
voices from the people and do not think having six of the same party and one representing the other on the city council is an equal
voice.
What do you feel are the most important

issues facing this office? How will you deal

with those issues?: I believe the top issue
is the Huntington city and township fire plan.
I was appointed to the City Council seat last
June and did not have a chance to comment
on this issue. The unwillingness of the two
entities to work out a plan that is best for
all involved was disappointing. I would also
like to see the benefits and disadvantages
of another park board. If elected, I will work
to assist the administration to make a better
Huntington. I will also question matters that I
am concerned about; that is my responsibility
to the people I represent.

Voting Information

to remain on moving the city forward.

Jack Slusser

Rex E. Baxter

What do you feel are the most important issues

facing this office? How will you deal with those
issues?: Huntington does not have any good-paying
industries. We need a long-range plan to keep the
industries we have and make our city of Huntington
tax friendly.

Why do you want to run for this office?: My

wife and I chose to move back to Huntington
in 2004. I have a vested interest in the success
of the city in which we have chosen to raise our
family. I feel like I can make a positive impact on
the future of Huntington through my education,
experience and leadership. There are a lot of
positive things happening and the focus needs

Biographical Information: My name is

Dane Owens, I am 41 years old, my wife
Amy and I have four children. I graduated
from Huntington North High School in 1991.
I attended IPFW and majored in history, with
a double minor in political science and psychology. I spent 5 1/2 years as a member
of the Air Force National Guard out of Fort
Wayne.

Oswalt

Seth T. Marshall
Biographical Information: I currently work as
an investment advisor for PNC Wealth Management. I have been on the city of Huntington
Planning Commission and Plat Committee for
the past three years. Past chairman of the board
for the Huntington Chamber of Commerce. B.S.
degree in Human Resource Management, Park
University. MBA from Indiana University. Six
Sigma Black Belt. U.S. Marine Corps veteran
1995-2004. Graduate of HNHS 1995.

What do you feel are the most important issues facing this office? How will
you deal with those issues?: Keep the city
moving in a positive direction. In the past
few years Huntington has reduced the size of
government, balanced the budget, reduced
debt, increased street paving, repaired sidewalks, improved water, sewers and parks.
I understand the temptation in government
to lose focus on the basics and give in to
politics, but I am a big picture person committed to do what is best for everyone. Today,
Huntington is being run efficiently with our
operational savings being used for capital
improvements. I will work to keep this successful approach going.

Parker

Marshall

John G. (Greg) Davis

tor, not a politician looking for the next vote. I

am running for city council to serve and to be
an advocate for Huntington.

City Common County 3rd District

No response.

Davis

Dane Owens

Democratic Primary

What do you feel are the most important issues facing this office? How will
you deal with these issues if elected?:
One of my main priorities will be creating
jobs in the City of Huntington. Additionally,
it is my feeling that we need to reassess
the outsourcing of Huntingtons utility operations, thereby bringing more jobs back
to the community. I believe the tax dollars
used to build new bike/walking paths (for
example, the $500, 000 project to convert the Erie railroad bridge to a walking
path) would be better spent maintaining
current parks, streets and walking paths.
Regardless of where someone lives in the
community, it is important that all citizens
are treated equally with respect to city
services.

City Common Council At-large (vote for 2)

Owens

Charles (Charlie) Chapman

Larry D. Buzzard

What do you feel are the most important issues facing this
office? How will you deal with those issues?: I feel that the
most important issues facing this office are economic development, good-paying jobs that will keep people in Huntington. As a
city councilman, I have supported the proposed new learning center so people can attain a higher level of skill in their field of work.
As in Question 2, all are very important issues and I will support
them. These issues will improve the city of Huntington, Ind.
Slusser

B5

To vote in Huntington County voters must

be a registered voter of Huntington County
and also have a valid state issued photo ID
drivers license or identification card.

Early voting
Early voting in the hall outside the
Huntington County Clerks office,
Huntington County Courthouse,
201 N. Jefferson St.
Monday, April 27: 9 a.m. to 4
p.m.
Tuesday, April 28: 9 a.m. to 4
p.m.
Wednesday, April 29: 9 a.m. to
4 p.m.
Thursday, April 30: 9 a.m. to 4
p.m.
Friday, May 1: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 2: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday, May 4: 9 a.m. to noon

Satellite early voting:

All satellite early voting locations
are open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28: Parkview

Huntington Family YMCA, 1160 W.

Huntington County Road 500 North
Wednesday, April 29: Parkview
Huntington Family YMCA
Thursday, April 30: Parkview
Huntington Family YMCA and Hiers
Park, 547 S. Briant St.
Friday, May 1: Parkview Huntington Family YMCA and Hiers Park

Election Day: Tuesday, May 5

Vote center locations:
All vote centers will be open from 6
a.m. to 6 p.m.
Huntington County Courthouse
Parkview Huntington Family YMCA
Hiers Park
First Church of the Nazarene, 1555
Flaxmill Road

Traveling board:
A voter with an injury or illness, a
voter caring for a confined person at a private residence or a
voter with disabilities may vote an
absentee ballot with the Absentee
Traveling Board at the voters residence or place of confinement. The
voter needs to call the clerks office
to request a visit from the Traveling
Board no later than Friday, May 1.
The Traveling Board will schedule a
time to visit.

There is no single sample ballot for all voters. A voters ballot will
appear differently depending on which partys ballot they are choosing
along with their individual city or county council district and the township they reside in. A registered voter can go online at www.
indianavoters.com and click the link entitled WHOS ON YOUR BALLOT? to view their individual sample ballot. They will need to enter
their name, address and birth date along with choosing a political party.