Check it all out here! The top site for all of your questions on this year's election. Videos are here so you can watch and listen to the candidates answers in their own words.
Thursday, October 9 the Paulding County Senior Center played host to the candidates and those representing the levys on the ballots in this 2014 election. Joe Shouse of the Paulding Progress was the master of ceremonies for the event. Marsha Yeutter is an excellent host for the evening for all 60 attendees. More pictures here
There, several of the important levies are being sought out to supplement. These include: Paulding Co. Carnegie Library: Current operating expenses, 1.5 mills, renewal and decrease, 5 years, 2014 – 2018, All Paulding County; Paulding Co. Board of Developmental Disabilities: Operation of developmental disabilities facilities, 1 mill, renewal, 5 years, 2015 – 2019, All Paulding County; Paulding Co. OSU Extension Service: Providing programs and services, 0.15 mill, additional, 5 years, 2014 – 2018.
Watch Levy Info:
Melinda Walters explained the levy information for the Paulding County Board of DD. She explained the new approach by the state is to integrate the PCDD clients into the workforce with all other workers instead of having them at the workshop. This tax is a renewal as shown above.
The OSU Extension Levy information was brought by Sarah Noggle. Some grants, federal and state levys have run out and they need funds to continue bringing good service to the people and farmers of the county. The Exension also is the right hand ‘extension’ that brings the current information from OSU to the residents. It also helps with the County 4H activities.
The Library’s Levy, according to Ron Etzler and Susan Pieper, will actually be reduced from the current amount of taxation if it is passed. The library has also had a 22% cut in outside state funding. The library currently is active with the entire county’s residents through the main office and its branches in Oakwood, Antwerp, and Payne. There are over 16,000 people in the county who have library cards. With so much use, the libraries need to be kept strong for the people.
Fifth District Candidates:
Robert Fry is running for the 5th District seat. His opponent was invited, Bob Latta, but was not in attendance to meet the people of Paulding County. Fry is from Melrose and he currently pastors a church in Maumee, Ohio. He says he never intended to run, but has been bothered by how people’s retirements have been stripped and jobs sent away in the tenure of the current 5th district representative.
Robert Fry is very conservative and for the people. He is opposed to abortion and supports the 2nd amendment gun rights, which has gotten him flak from the Democratic Party, though it seems to represent what people believe here. The people in attendance were impressed by Robert Fry. He was asked questions concerning the factory farm manure being dumped in Paulding County, effectively flowing to and contaminating Lake Erie. After answering them clearly, people gave him a good reception.
Claudia Fickel approached the podium next acknowledging people for contributing to her tenure in office. She has no opponents this year and his happy with the turnout. If people have questions, she is more than willing to answer their concerns.
Video of Commissioner Candidates:
The most contested race for local Paulding County politics is the open seat of the Commissioners’ office. First to announce themselves was Bob Burkley of Payne. Bob graduated from Payne High School and he recently retired from active duty service from the Sheriff’s Office. He was also in charge of the DARE program while it was active. Bob emphasized how important it was to bring jobs to the community.
Next up was Georgia Dyson. Georgia graduated from Hicksville High School in 1994 and is married to Shane Dyson. She said, “I looked to the right and I looked to the left and I didn’t like was I was seeing, so I decided it was time to do something to make a change.” Her goal is to thoroughly analyze the budget and see what can be cut and what needs more funds. There are services that can be better administered in the county if the commissioners have better oversight.
Mark Holtsberry was the third up for expressing his reason to be elected. Mark is a teacher with a Masters degree and now he uses his knowledge to help the Black Swamp Nature Preserve and goes from school to school educating the young people. He has spent 4 terms as a Jackson Township trustee. He also operates his own business. He has experience writing grants, working with contractors for roads and other needs in the community and he believes this will be a helpful carryover for him as commissioner.
There were many questions from the people in attendance especially concerning the manure problems in the water supplies after importation from other regions.
The Board of Elections has provided a PDF for viewing all of the ballot information for Paulding County Residents by clicking here:
For the East Allen Audience we have two candidates who have submitted there information:
Tim Hines set to run for EACS school board
My name is Tim Hines and I am running for the East Allen County School Board 1R At Large position that is being vacated by Bill Hartman, who has decided that he will not seek another term in office.
I am married to Kim, my wife of 29 years, and I have two sons who are both graduates of EACS. I am a life-long resident of East Allen County, a graduate of Ball State University, and a small business owner for the past 24 years. Throughout all this time I have supported and cared about this community and, because of that, I have decided to run for the East Allen County School Board.
I have been actively involved in the lives of young people in East Allen County throughout my adult life. I have coached youth baseball and junior high athletics. I have also been a part of numerous school and community committees, have been an officer for athletic booster clubs, and have volunteered much time and many services to Woodlan High School. I believe this service to our young people has earned the respect and trust of many families in East Allen County and has shown me to be a person who truly cares about the young people and communities that comprise the East Allen County School system. I believe this community-mindedness as well as my successful business ownership makes me an ideal candidate for the 1R School Board position that will be elected this November.
I have been approached in the past by others who felt I could contribute to our community as a school board member. Until this election year however, I did not feel that the timing was right. I now believe that I am at a place in my life to be able to dedicate the time necessary to serve on the board, a board that represents the administration, teachers, students, families and taxpayers of East Allen County. I have met with many local families and elected officials for whom I have a lot of respect. I feel as though I have gained valuable insight into the community and the ideas and values of those people. With their support, and further support from our community, I believe that I can contribute a lot to the school board. It would be very gratifying to serve for a school system that has made my own life and the lives of my family members with a very rewarding educational and extracurricular experience.
I BELIEVE in our schools, our staff, and our students, and I will work hard to continue the successes that EACS has had in the past and look forward to promoting EACS in the future. It has been wonderful getting to know all those who I have had contact with thus far. I look forward to meeting others in our community, get their ideas and suggestions, all to further promote the success of EACS.
Before voting this November, I encourage you as a voter to do your homework. Make sure that the candidate you vote for has put in the time, earned the respect and trust of your community, and has the business skills and background knowledge to make tough decisions for the corporation. Make sure the candidate you vote for still commits time and support to the school system even if they no longer have children in EACS. Make sure that candidate you vote for is one who is concerned enough to listen to your thoughts and ideas, both before and after the election, and is someone who has no preconceived notions or personal agenda.
Above all, make sure that candidate has the overall experience necessary to serve on the school board of East Allen County Schools. I believe that I possess all the criteria listed above and I would appreciate your vote on November 4th.
Leland Etzler Runs for EACS board
My name is Leland Etzler and I am running for East Allen County School Board in district 2E. This encompasses the southern part of the Woodlan attendance area and most of the Heritage attendance area.
I received both my Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from Ball State Teachers College and retired after 43 years of teaching math and science and as a guidance counselor at Woodlan. For forty years, I was head football coach at Woodan. In 2001, I was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
My wife, Gayle, and I have been married for 48 years and have four adult children and eight grandchildren. All four of our children and two grandchildren graduated from EACS schools. Two grandchildren presently attend Woodlan. My wife and I are members of Woodburn Missionary Church.
I served on the school board from 2006-2010 and I feel that my job was not completed. My loyalty is and always has been to EACS and consequently I feel that I am the best choice to serve you on your school board. My goal would be to strive to provide the best quality education that is possible for all students of EACS. They deserve it.
Richard Allgeier EACS School Board Candidate District 2E
My name is Richard Allgeier and I am running for the East Allen County School Board District 2E seat that Board President Neil Reynolds currently holds. Mr. Reynolds has decided not to run for another term. Mr. Reynolds has served EACS as a board member for 20 years.
I am married to Kathy, a paraprofessional in the special education department at Woodlan Elementary. I have eight children, four previously attended EACS, and three currently attend Woodlan. I also have 10 grandchildren, and one of them attends NHMS at this time. I am a small business owner of 17 years, and my employment background includes the transportation and industrial maintenance engineering fields. I am an advocate for individuals with disabilities and a 2009 Graduate of Partners in Policymaking Academy (PIP) made possible through the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. I currently live in Woodburn, IN.
I have 16 years of experience as a board member with EACS, served on the EACS Educational Foundational Board during its formative years and for the past five years I have served on the Salvation Army ARC Advisory Board.
As an EACS board member I have a proven record that consists of support for; Christian Values, Life Issues, Community Schools, Parental Involvement, Parochial Transportation and Direct Hire of EACS Support Staff. I believe that Fiscal Responsibility is a must, but not at the expense of dedicated, involved and vested Community Support Staff who care about our teachers, students and the reputation of all our EACS communities. During my first term on the board, I found an overwhelming appreciation for the people of the EACS area. Our diverse communities have personalities of their own and the history within the boundaries of EACS is fascinating. Recent history includes the battles fought over consolidation issues. The Community Schools vs. Consolidation lines were drawn and challenged. This issue today, for Woodlan and Heritage area schools is over, and the newly remodeled K-12 schools remain within our communities.
Prior to the consolidation issues EACS was known as a premier school district, and with the recent hiring of Dr. Ken Folks, it appears we are again headed in that direction. While my proven record above is foundational, I find myself with a new and reachable goal. I have for the past two years been praying for all of our staff on a regular basis. Scripture calls us to pray for our leaders. And so the call to “PRAY! Support our Staff!” is a must if EACS is to once again be considered a Premier Educational System.
PRAY! Support our Staff!
So what does this mean? We have many leaders within our East Allen area schools. Leaders include every adult that is involved with our students and their education. The Superintendent, Board Members, Administration, Principals, Teachers, Coaches, all Staff, Assistants, Paraprofessionals, Transportation, various other departments within our district, and volunteers lead in many ways, and they all lead by example. I want to encourage you to Support our Staff by Praying with me for these individuals who encourage and lead our students.
Additionally, I have been endorsed by the Allen County Right to Life PAC.
To view my answers to the ACRL PAC Survey, visit the site below:
http://www.ichooselife.org/policy-updates/2014-election/
I urge each of you to get out and vote on November 4. Together we can return East Allen County Schools to the prominence in education it once enjoyed.
