by
Fred Swift
Hamilton County Reporter
On the surface, Tuesday’s city elections for many folks may seem hardly worth taking seriously. The voting is only for local offices.
And, candidates for mayor in three of the county’s four cities are unopposed with only Westfield having a contest. But, looking a little deeper, we find there are some important matters at stake.
Republicans throughout the county are taking challenges to city council seats more seriously than in recent years. Democrats are known to be quietly working to get their potential supporters to vote, reportedly, with resources from state party officials, Democrats have been increasing their vote totals in recent elections.
If they can elect even a couple of their candidates it would be seen as a breakthrough and reason to continue to work hard in next year’s big general election.
In Noblesville, there are three contests for city council. Incumbent Greg O’Connor faces Jason Myers, incumbent Megan Wiles faces Jeremy Hawk, and incumbents Brian Ayers, Mark Boice and Darren Peterson are challenged by Paula Gilliam for one of the three seats at large. All incumbents are Republican.
In Carmel, incumbent councilor Bruce Kimball is challenged by Cleaster Davis, incumbent Sue Finkam faces challenger Tigre McNear, incumbent Laura Campbell faces William Howard, and Republican nominee Debra Minott is running against Miles Nelson. All incumbents are Republican.
In Westfield it is a Libertarian, Donald Rainwater, who is challenging incumbent Mayor Andy Cook, a Republican. Cook is taking the contest seriously enough to advertise on television, which is unusual and expensive in a purely local election.
Cook has fostered wide development including Grand Park, the proposed Grand Junction and other public improvements, which Rainwater feels are in some cases excessive and too expensive to taxpayers.
For voters in the Carmel Clay School District there is a referendum question on the ballot seeking several million dollars for school security. Voters will decide whether or not to raise their property taxes by as much as five cents per hundred dollars of assessed valuation.
In Fishers, Democrats are challenging Republicans in four city council races. It’s Eric Moeller (R) vs. Lane Skeeters (D); David George (R) vs. Adam Kaps (D); Rich Block (R), Cecilia Coble (R) and Todd Zimmerman (R) vs. Jocelyn Vare (D).
In Sheridan, Arcadia and Atlanta there will be no election since there is no opposition to candidates who filed for town board and town clerk positions.
And, for residents of unincorporated areas of the county, there is no election since it is a municipal election year only.
Because there is not a button for “none of the above” and that in my district there is no real selection to be had, I’ll be writing my own name into the box – Assuming there’s a mechanism to do that. I have little faith that asking for something different will allow me to feel that my vote matters. As I stated before, with this lack of choice – or ability to deny the status quo to remain – I can’t show my children that voting actually matters (although I do vote to live what I say).
Basically, here in Fishers we’re anointing the status quo. There is no evidence that anyone is going to stand up to Scott’s machine of corporate blandification of the overall community. I’m going to be stuck with a yes person who’s seemingly voted against anything that would benefit their own district. They seem to be awaiting “favor” of something that may never materialize –and are willing to allow our side of Fishers to degenerate to 2nd world status before being mandated to allow change. We’ve got abandoned strip centers, massive holes in another, horridly timed traffic lights, mismanaged city projects, and all levels of neglect on roadways (mains, neighborhood, access, and municipal) — that isn’t proper representation.
For all the so called “choice,” I’m only allowed to vote for one individual who is running against a plethora of incumbents. Even if they make it in, that’s only 1 voice against a stacked deck. That isn’t a choice (and would be a level of stress that I would find frustrating at the very least).
Calling what we have an “election” is more than just a bit of a joke. It won’t stop me from writing my own name in on the areas of the ballot where I can, because at least that says I tried to say something.
Larry – I know you’re doing your utmost to inform the community. You do a fantastic job and I feel more informed from your writings than any other outlet. So please take my negative view with a grain(bag) of salt. I doubt many individuals put as much effort into understanding what’s going on around them as you do. I definitely feel much more informed than if I simply relied on traditional media streams—McNews, local broadcasters, and the so called ‘local’ Current, don’t cover topics as well as you do.
From my wife and I – thank you for the work you do. The 2 of us really appreciate the efforts.
Thank you for the kind words. I am not an Indiana election law expert, but I believe you need to file as a write-in candidate just be eligible to receive write-in votes.
Your welcome.
The only thing I meant as working in my own name is that it’d be there closer thing to a “none of the above” that I could see. I’m more than certain that if I entered politics my wife would have serious problems with that. That and if probably irritate more than actually be effective. (I’m willing to be honest about that)
The article by Fred is inaccurate. Some races are not mentioned and several races mentioned have the wrong person running against the incumbant.