July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Four seek GOP slots for council (05/05/07)
By By MIKE SNYDER-
A portion of Portland Republicans will go to the polls Tuesday to select nominees for two city council races.
Donald P. Gillespie is running against Dennis M. Mason Jr. for the District 4 GOP nomination, while the District 7 primary will feature Kent McClung and Michael D. Weesner.
The only other voters going to the polls in Jay County on Tuesday will be in Dunkirk, where Democrats in both Dunkirk 1 and Dunkirk 3 make selections at the West Jay Community Center.
Portland residents will vote at the Jay Community Center, 115 E. Water St. (Wayne 4) and the First Church of the Nazarene, 920 S. Shank St. (Wayne 7).
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In the District 4 race Gillespie, 66, a retired newspaper advertising director, will take on Mason, 32, an employee of the Portland street department and a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
In the other race, Weesner, 33, a Portland firefighter and part-time paramedic, will run against McClung, 39, who is a staff member at The Portland Foundation.
All four are political newcomers, although McClung serves as an appointed member of the Portland Park Board.
Gillespie, who lives at 134 E. Third St., is married to Deanna Gillespie. The couple have three sons. He is a graduate of Portland High School.
Mason, a high school graduate, is married to Toni Mason. The couple, who live at 210 Pittsburg Ave., have five children.
McClung, 960 S. Meridian St., is a 1985 graduate of Jay County High School. He also earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1994 from Ball State University. He and wife Annemarie have three children.
Weesner, 906 S. Bridge St., graduated from Jay County High School, Vincennes University and paramedic training school. He and wife Terri have six children.
All four candidates recently
See Candidates page 8
Continued from page 1
answered questions submitted by The Commercial Review. The following are their responses:
What inspired you to run for Portland City Council?
Gillespie - After working with the public and business for over 45 years and living in precinct 4 with my wife and raising three sons, I felt that I would like to see just how city government works and to help keep Portland moving forward.
Mason - Wanting to make a difference.
McClung - I was inspired to run for office by the work done by the current city council and mayor. I believe Portland has made great strides in the areas of economic development, infrastructure improvement, and community relations in recent years. When I learned that Dolphus Stephens was not running again, I decided to run with hopes of continuing the progress that has been made.
Weesner - Besides being a firefighter and paramedic, along with a 4-H leader and junior league coach, I want to be in a position where I can be a voice for people of our city.
What do you believe is the most critical issue the council is facing today, or will face over the next four years? Please detail your position on that issue.
Weesner - My issue is for the future and keep people in our city. I believe if something isn't done to attract people and keep people in our city, we'll have issues with our smaller businesses, empty homes and schools. Our motto is A Place to Grow, and we should do everything in our power to hold true to the belief.
McClung - I believe the most critical issue facing the council is keeping and attracting businesses, industries and the jobs that go with them. Economic development is an extremely competitive arena, one in which Portland has done very well. We need to maintain our competitive edge so that our tax base remains high and the tax rate low. This can be achieved through improving and maintaining our infrastructure, helping our work force improve its skills through access to continuing education, and honest, efficient and responsive government that spends the taxpayers' money wisely.
Two non-critical issues we face are our sidewalks and the pool. We need to come up with a better way of replacing and improving our sidewalks. Pedestrian traffic needs should be given the same priority as vehicle traffic. The Portland Pool's age and condition are concerns of mine. It was built in the late 1950s and has served the city very well. It is a place where scores of children on summer break are able to exercise and have fun in a well-supervised environment, but its age is really starting to show. We need to be aware that either a new pool or significant renovations might be in the not-so-distant future.
Mason - Financial security; management of our limited funds; investment in projects that contribute to the long-term security of Portland; help existing and news businesses to grow to help our community; attract valued businesses to fill our empty buildings; taxes; the sewer system separation.
Gillespie - I believe before I could comment on the MOST critical issue facing the council today that experience on the council would be necessary, while gaining a better understanding of all the issues.
Outside of representing constituents, outline what you believe are, or should be, the roles of a city council representative.
Gillespie - Working with the mayor and other city officials on critical issues, as well as being objective and voting accordingly on the public's concerns.
Mason - Integrity first. To be honest, trustworthy, and accountable for the pride we have in our community. Service before self. Put goals of my community first to make a positive difference. Excellence in all we do to help add to the level of professionalism we already have or are going to have, and work with them to support our great community.
McClung - A city council representative needs to be aware of the needs of the city and do his best to see that the needs are met. This entails staying informed and taking the long view on what needs might arise over the needs 10 to 20 years and beyond. Hopefully by keeping an eye on the future, we will be able to keep Portland a place where our children might choose to live.
Weesner - The role of a council member is to be a voice for his district and to listen and correct any issues citizens of our city have. Too many times throughout our nation, our representatives put into effect what they want, or what better serves them, instead of the public.[[In-content Ad]]
Donald P. Gillespie is running against Dennis M. Mason Jr. for the District 4 GOP nomination, while the District 7 primary will feature Kent McClung and Michael D. Weesner.
The only other voters going to the polls in Jay County on Tuesday will be in Dunkirk, where Democrats in both Dunkirk 1 and Dunkirk 3 make selections at the West Jay Community Center.
Portland residents will vote at the Jay Community Center, 115 E. Water St. (Wayne 4) and the First Church of the Nazarene, 920 S. Shank St. (Wayne 7).
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In the District 4 race Gillespie, 66, a retired newspaper advertising director, will take on Mason, 32, an employee of the Portland street department and a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
In the other race, Weesner, 33, a Portland firefighter and part-time paramedic, will run against McClung, 39, who is a staff member at The Portland Foundation.
All four are political newcomers, although McClung serves as an appointed member of the Portland Park Board.
Gillespie, who lives at 134 E. Third St., is married to Deanna Gillespie. The couple have three sons. He is a graduate of Portland High School.
Mason, a high school graduate, is married to Toni Mason. The couple, who live at 210 Pittsburg Ave., have five children.
McClung, 960 S. Meridian St., is a 1985 graduate of Jay County High School. He also earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1994 from Ball State University. He and wife Annemarie have three children.
Weesner, 906 S. Bridge St., graduated from Jay County High School, Vincennes University and paramedic training school. He and wife Terri have six children.
All four candidates recently
See Candidates page 8
Continued from page 1
answered questions submitted by The Commercial Review. The following are their responses:
What inspired you to run for Portland City Council?
Gillespie - After working with the public and business for over 45 years and living in precinct 4 with my wife and raising three sons, I felt that I would like to see just how city government works and to help keep Portland moving forward.
Mason - Wanting to make a difference.
McClung - I was inspired to run for office by the work done by the current city council and mayor. I believe Portland has made great strides in the areas of economic development, infrastructure improvement, and community relations in recent years. When I learned that Dolphus Stephens was not running again, I decided to run with hopes of continuing the progress that has been made.
Weesner - Besides being a firefighter and paramedic, along with a 4-H leader and junior league coach, I want to be in a position where I can be a voice for people of our city.
What do you believe is the most critical issue the council is facing today, or will face over the next four years? Please detail your position on that issue.
Weesner - My issue is for the future and keep people in our city. I believe if something isn't done to attract people and keep people in our city, we'll have issues with our smaller businesses, empty homes and schools. Our motto is A Place to Grow, and we should do everything in our power to hold true to the belief.
McClung - I believe the most critical issue facing the council is keeping and attracting businesses, industries and the jobs that go with them. Economic development is an extremely competitive arena, one in which Portland has done very well. We need to maintain our competitive edge so that our tax base remains high and the tax rate low. This can be achieved through improving and maintaining our infrastructure, helping our work force improve its skills through access to continuing education, and honest, efficient and responsive government that spends the taxpayers' money wisely.
Two non-critical issues we face are our sidewalks and the pool. We need to come up with a better way of replacing and improving our sidewalks. Pedestrian traffic needs should be given the same priority as vehicle traffic. The Portland Pool's age and condition are concerns of mine. It was built in the late 1950s and has served the city very well. It is a place where scores of children on summer break are able to exercise and have fun in a well-supervised environment, but its age is really starting to show. We need to be aware that either a new pool or significant renovations might be in the not-so-distant future.
Mason - Financial security; management of our limited funds; investment in projects that contribute to the long-term security of Portland; help existing and news businesses to grow to help our community; attract valued businesses to fill our empty buildings; taxes; the sewer system separation.
Gillespie - I believe before I could comment on the MOST critical issue facing the council today that experience on the council would be necessary, while gaining a better understanding of all the issues.
Outside of representing constituents, outline what you believe are, or should be, the roles of a city council representative.
Gillespie - Working with the mayor and other city officials on critical issues, as well as being objective and voting accordingly on the public's concerns.
Mason - Integrity first. To be honest, trustworthy, and accountable for the pride we have in our community. Service before self. Put goals of my community first to make a positive difference. Excellence in all we do to help add to the level of professionalism we already have or are going to have, and work with them to support our great community.
McClung - A city council representative needs to be aware of the needs of the city and do his best to see that the needs are met. This entails staying informed and taking the long view on what needs might arise over the needs 10 to 20 years and beyond. Hopefully by keeping an eye on the future, we will be able to keep Portland a place where our children might choose to live.
Weesner - The role of a council member is to be a voice for his district and to listen and correct any issues citizens of our city have. Too many times throughout our nation, our representatives put into effect what they want, or what better serves them, instead of the public.[[In-content Ad]]
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