July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Many choices wait at polls (10/29/04)

Election Roundup 2004

By By Mike [email protected]

In a general election topped by a contest for U.S. president and several other national and statewide races, a contentious battle for a seat in the Indiana House of Representatives could be the most compelling for local voters.

A relatively large number of Jay County voters (more than 7 percent of those registered) have already cast ballots in an election that features choices for U.S. President, one of Indiana’s two U.S. Senators, Indiana governor and several other state-wide offices, state representative and several other county-level offices.

Voters going to the polls on Tuesday in Jay County will be voting on a new electronic push-button system for the first time. Also on the ballots will be three constitutional questions (see related story) and retainment vote for a judge on the Indiana Court of Appeals.

One of the most hotly-contested — and certainly most expensive — area races in recent memory has been between incumbent District 33 State Rep. Ron Liggett (D-Redkey) and Republican challenger Bill Davis of Portland.

Liggett, who has rather comfortably held off challenges from five different men since first taking office in the early 1990s, is seeking his seventh two-year term in the Indiana General Assembly.

Both he and Davis have drawn plenty of support from their political parties at the state level, and both have earned backing from state officials.

The two have raised more than a combined $500,000 — with a flurry of big-money donations coming in the last month.

Other county-level races include two commissioner seats, three at-large county council seats, circuit court clerk, treasurer, coroner and surveyor.

There is only one race for the two commissioner seats, as Democrat Jason Davidson and Republican Faron Parr are in a contest for the North District seat. Although the candidates must be from Penn, Jackson, Bearcreek or Wabash townships, voting is county-wide.

Parr defeated incumbent Mike Leonhard in the primary, while Davidson was unopposed in the primary.

In the South District (Richland, Jefferson, Pike and Madison townships), incumbent Democrat Gary Theurer is unopposed.

Six candidates — three Democrats and three Republicans — will be on the ballot for three at-large seats on the county council. Voters may select three of the six candidates.

Among the candidates are incumbents Andy Schemenaur (Democrat) and Marilyn Coleman (Republican).

Other Democrats are Lisa Barnett, wife of current at-large Councilman Mark Barnett, and Ted Champ, a former Jay School Board member. Republican council candidates are Judy LeMaster, who formerly held two courthouse offices, and Jim Zimmerman, a farmer and planning commission member.

For coroner, Republican Paulette Wagner, who was appointed to that position earlier this year following the resignation of Brad Myers, will face Democrat Mark Barnett. Wagner is an employee of Jay Emergency Medical Service, while Barnett, a Portland police officer, is a former two-term coroner.

For three county-level offices — clerk, treasurer and surveyor — Republican candidates have no opposition.

Those Republicans include two incumbents — Jane Ann Runyon (clerk) and Brad Daniels (surveyor), along with Frances Milthaler, who currently serves as a first deputy in the treasurer’s office.

At the top of the ballot will be the race between President George W. Bush, a Republican seeking a second term, and Democratic challenger John F. Kerry. Bush’s running mate is vice president Dick Cheney, while John Edwards is Kerry’s choice.

Also on the presidential ballot in Indiana is Michael Badnarik of the Libertarian Party, along with running mate Richard V. Campagna.

U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, a former Indiana governor, is seeking a second term in office. His opponents are Republican Marvin Scott and Libertarian Albert Barger.

Another spirited race on the state level that has drawn both candidates to Jay County is for governor, where Democrat Joseph Kernan, who became governor last year following the death of Frank O’Bannon, is seeking his first elected term in office. He will face Republican Mitch Daniels, a former executive and budget official for President Bush, on Tuesday.

Polls show the two men in a statistical dead heat.

Also on the ticket is Libertarian Kenn Gividen.

For the first time in Indiana’s history, there are three women candidates for lieutenant governor. Those three women, who will be listed alongside the governor candidates on the ballot, are Kathy Davis (Democratic), Becky Skillman (Republican) and Elaine Badnarik (Libertarian).

In the race for U.S. Representative, Sixth District, incumbent Mike Pence, a Republican, is facing Democrat Mel “Melina” Fox and Libertarian Chad “Wick” Roots.

Other state offices on the ballot include attorney general and superintendent of public instruction.

Republican Steve Carter is running for re-election as attorney general against Democrat Joe Hogsett and Libertarian Aaron Milewski.

Another Republican incumbent, Suellen Reed, faces two challengers for superintendent of public instruction — Democrat Susan Williams and Libertarian Joe Hauptmann. Williams has announced she will resign if elected and allow her successor to be chosen.

Also on the ballot for a retainment vote will be Indiana Court of Appeals Judge John T. Sharpnack. Voters may select yes or no.

Here is a list of the 21 precincts at 20 locations in Jay County. Polls will be open for Tuesday’s election from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.:

•Dunkirk 1 and 3 — West Jay Community Center, Dunkirk City Park.

•South Redkey — Redkey Park Cabin, Mooney Street, Redkey.

•North Redkey — North Meridian Street United Methodist Church, 305 N. Meridian St., Redkey.

•Knox — Oak Grove Church, 829 South Ind. 1, Dunkirk.

•Penn — Pennville Community Building, Pennville Park.

•Jefferson — Jay County Conservation Club, 6243 South 325 West, Portland.

•Greene — Greene Township Community Building — 050 South 500 West, Portland.

•Jackson — Union Chapel Church, 6200 North 375 West, Bryant.

•Pike — Bluff Point Community Center, 077 West 650 South, Portland.

•Wayne 1 — Moose Lodge, 1101 W. Votaw St., Portland.

•Wayne 2 — Jay County Courthouse Auditorium, 120 N. Court St., Portland.

•Wayne 3 — Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 218 E. High St., Portland.

•Wayne 4 — Jay Community Center, 115 E. Water St., Portland.

•Wayne 5 — 4-H Building, Jay County Fairgrounds, East Division Road, Portland.

•Wayne 6 — National Guard Armory, 1976 W. Tyson Road, Portland.

•Wayne 7 — First Church of the Nazarene, 920 S. Shank St., Portland.

•Bearcreek — Bryant Community Center.

•Madison — Salamonia Fire Department.

•Noble — Rockin’ L Arena, 177 North 800 East, Portland.

•Wabash — Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 7283 East Ind. 67, Bryant.[[In-content Ad]]Proposed changes to the Indiana Constitution affecting property taxes, the starting date for county office holders and the selection of a governor in the event of death will be decided by Indiana voters on Tuesday.

Three public questions, or proposed amendment’s to the state constitution, will be on the general election ballot.

Voters will select yes or no for each question.

Public question No. 1 could allow significant changes in laws passed by the Indiana General Assembly regarding property taxes. The question reads: “Shall Article 10, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana be amended to allow the General Assembly to make certain property tax exempt from property taxes, including (1) a homeowner’s primary residence; (2) personal property used to produce income; and (3) inventory?”

(Continued on page 9)

(Continued from page 1)

Public question No. 3 is being proposed following the death last year of Gov. Frank O’Bannon. If approved, it would allow changes in law that would appoint an interim governor in the event of the death or resignation of both the governor and lieutenant governor.

Public question No. 3 reads: “Shall Article 5, Section 10 ... be amended to specify: (1) which state official acts as governor when the office of governor and the office of lieutenant governor are both vacant; and (2) the deadline for the General Assembly to meet when either the House or the Senate cannot assemble a quorum within 48 hours after both offices become vacant?”

Public question No. 2, if approved, would allow the establishment of uniform term starting dates for several county offices.

Question No. 2 reads: “Shall Article 6, Section 2 ... be amended to allow the General Assembly to establish a uniform date for the beginning of the terms of the county officers of clerk of circuit court, auditor, recorder, treasurer, sheriff, coroner and surveyor?”
PORTLAND WEATHER

Events

October

SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
29 30 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31 1 2

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.

250 X 250 AD