July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Races set for Dunkirk (11/02/07)
By By ROBERT BANSER-
Dunkirk voters will be deciding three contested races when they go to the polls Tuesday.
Democrat and Republican hopefuls are vying for the offices of mayor, city judge and council representative from District 3.
Under Dunkirk voting regulations, there are four council districts and one at-large position. But even though the candidates must live in certain districts, voters from throughout the community are eligible to cast ballots for each of the district races.
For the office of mayor, incumbent Republican Sam Hubbard is facing a challenge from Democrat Ronald Hunt.
For city judge Republican Tommy "Chip" Phillips II is being challenged by Democrat Harriett Weekley.
In the District 3 council race, veteran Democratic Party councilman A. Craig Faulkner is vying for re-election against Republican newcomer Charmaine O'Conner.
Polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The polling place for Dunkirk residents will be West Jay Community Center, 125 Hoover St., in Dunkirk City Park.
In Dunkirk incumbent city clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler is running unopposed. Other incumbents, running for re-election unopposed, include council members Larry Joe Smith, District 1, and Thomas Johnson, the at-large candidate.
Also running unopposed in Dunkirk are Raymond Pettus Sr., District 4, and former Dunkirk city clerk-treasurer Judy Garr, District 2. All the Dunkirk candidates running unopposed are Democrats.
Profiles of the candidates in the contested races follow:
Dunkirk mayor
Ronald Hunt
Hunt, 52, a Democrat, has lived in Dunkirk for the past 30 years. He has been employed as a heavy equipment operator at Meshberger Brothers Stone Corporation, Portland, for 19 years.
He and his wife, Penny, have two daughters and five grandchildren.
A resident of 323 N. Meridian St., Hunt said: "I'm running for mayor because it's time for some changes in Dunkirk, and we need someone that will take control and listen to the residents of our community."
He added, "Some of my goals if elected mayor of Dunkirk will include: trying to bring in a grocery store for our community; help get a better water plant and water system; try to bring in a recreational area for our youth."
"While attending Dunkirk city council meetings, I've been watching and listening to what's been going on in our town. I've listened to several opinions of the Dunkirk residents. This is how I've gotten some of my ideas of what ... could help our community," he said.
Born in Ohio, Hunt spent part of his childhood in Florida before moving to the Dunkirk area. He is a graduate of Dunkirk High School.
Citing concerns about business closings and deterioration in the downtown, Hunt said, "I figure it's time for a change."
Sam Hubbard
Seeking his second term as mayor, Sam Hubbard, 72, 505 Walsh Court, for many years he served as executive director of the Dunkirk Area Chamber of Commerce.
Before retiring, he owned a hardware store and worked for Indiana Glass Company.
Born and raised in Muncie, he graduated from Muncie Central High School and Ball State Teachers College. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. He has three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His wife of 49 years, the former Barbara Sue Robbins, died in 2005.
Hubbard served as president of the Dunkirk Library board for six years, served on the board of Jay County Hospital for eight years, and was president of the Jay County Hospital Foundation for about five years. He also served as president of the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation for seven years and was on the Dunkirk City Council in the 1960s.
"Probably the biggest issues in the city at the present time are the potential loss of tax revenue and the decline of the business district. The day-to-day routine issues, such as water problems, street repairs, animal issues can be solved as they come up," Hubbard said. "The issue of job loss will not have an easy solution; there are not many 400-employee firms anxious to settle in Dunkirk. However, by working with the Jay County Economic Development Corporation and through the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation we may be able to bring several new jobs to the area, through smaller manufacturing facilities."
Dunkirk city judge
Harriett Weekley
A Democrat, Weekley, 301 W. Washington St., grew up in Muncie and graduated from Ball State University in 1969 with a degree in elementary education.
"I am married to Robert Weekley and we have six children. I have worked mostly in the social work field for the past 30 years," she said.
"I would like to be city judge because I have always had an interest in the Dunkirk community and I feel this would be a good opportunity to use my experience and knowledge to benefit our city," she added.
Over the past 25 years, Mr. and Mrs. Weekley have opened up their home to more than 200 different foster children, some of whom they later adopted.
One of their children by birth, Andrea Weekley, is currently a full-time officer on the Dunkirk police force.
Tommy "Chip" Phillips II
Running for public office for the first time as a Republican, Phillips, 411 S. Main St., was born and raised in Dunkirk.
He graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1973, and graduated with honors from Marion College, now Indiana Wesleyan University at Marion, in 1978.
Phillips received a master's degree in education from Ball State University in 1983.
He has been a public school teacher for 28 years, working for the Jay School Corporation for the last 24 of those years.
Also he has served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, currently holding the rank of major.
About his reasons for serving as city judge, Phillips said, "I have a real passion for the law. I enjoy serving as judge and I believe that the city court should be run efficiently and properly and justice should be served."
Dunkirk Council
District 3
Charmaine O'Conner
A Republican, Charmaine O'Conner, 44, 203 E. Washington St., is a homemaker, mother and volunteer.
She and her husband, Steve, have three children and four grandchildren.
She is formerly from Illinois, having graduated from Grayslake Community High School and the Alpha Omega College of Real Estate.
Her other experience includes serving as an ombudsman for the Naval Warship USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 for about five years, acting as an advisor between the captain and the military families.
She has been involved in Dunkirk Elks Lodge 1776, the Glass Days Committee, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Dunkirk Lions Club.
"I am new to the community with fresh and untarnished ideals. My community involvement has brought insight to what our citizens believe to be problems. I see problems as opportunities," she said.
When asked about important issues facing the local community, she listed, "Tax base, vandalism, enforcement of city ordinances. In such a small community we need to look past our political parties and look towards our neighbors."
Craig Faulkner
Current council president, Democrat Craig Faulkner, 54, 338 E. Washington St., is seeking re-election. He has lived in the community all his life.
Faulkner is employed at Saint-Gobain Containers in Dunkirk. He graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1971.
He has worked for Saint-Gobain for more than 35 years, and is currently a journeyman machine operator in the forming department or "hot end" of the glass plant.
He belongs to the Sons of the American Legion, Dunkirk Moose Lodge, and Union Local 121, and is a member of the board of directors of Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union.
He and his wife, Stephanie, have a daughter and a grandson.
Faulkner was first elected to the city council when he was 33 years old, and he's been the councilman in charge of the fire department throughout his council career.
"Every day I think about what the city should be doing," Faulkner said.
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Democrat and Republican hopefuls are vying for the offices of mayor, city judge and council representative from District 3.
Under Dunkirk voting regulations, there are four council districts and one at-large position. But even though the candidates must live in certain districts, voters from throughout the community are eligible to cast ballots for each of the district races.
For the office of mayor, incumbent Republican Sam Hubbard is facing a challenge from Democrat Ronald Hunt.
For city judge Republican Tommy "Chip" Phillips II is being challenged by Democrat Harriett Weekley.
In the District 3 council race, veteran Democratic Party councilman A. Craig Faulkner is vying for re-election against Republican newcomer Charmaine O'Conner.
Polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The polling place for Dunkirk residents will be West Jay Community Center, 125 Hoover St., in Dunkirk City Park.
In Dunkirk incumbent city clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler is running unopposed. Other incumbents, running for re-election unopposed, include council members Larry Joe Smith, District 1, and Thomas Johnson, the at-large candidate.
Also running unopposed in Dunkirk are Raymond Pettus Sr., District 4, and former Dunkirk city clerk-treasurer Judy Garr, District 2. All the Dunkirk candidates running unopposed are Democrats.
Profiles of the candidates in the contested races follow:
Dunkirk mayor
Ronald Hunt
Hunt, 52, a Democrat, has lived in Dunkirk for the past 30 years. He has been employed as a heavy equipment operator at Meshberger Brothers Stone Corporation, Portland, for 19 years.
He and his wife, Penny, have two daughters and five grandchildren.
A resident of 323 N. Meridian St., Hunt said: "I'm running for mayor because it's time for some changes in Dunkirk, and we need someone that will take control and listen to the residents of our community."
He added, "Some of my goals if elected mayor of Dunkirk will include: trying to bring in a grocery store for our community; help get a better water plant and water system; try to bring in a recreational area for our youth."
"While attending Dunkirk city council meetings, I've been watching and listening to what's been going on in our town. I've listened to several opinions of the Dunkirk residents. This is how I've gotten some of my ideas of what ... could help our community," he said.
Born in Ohio, Hunt spent part of his childhood in Florida before moving to the Dunkirk area. He is a graduate of Dunkirk High School.
Citing concerns about business closings and deterioration in the downtown, Hunt said, "I figure it's time for a change."
Sam Hubbard
Seeking his second term as mayor, Sam Hubbard, 72, 505 Walsh Court, for many years he served as executive director of the Dunkirk Area Chamber of Commerce.
Before retiring, he owned a hardware store and worked for Indiana Glass Company.
Born and raised in Muncie, he graduated from Muncie Central High School and Ball State Teachers College. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. He has three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His wife of 49 years, the former Barbara Sue Robbins, died in 2005.
Hubbard served as president of the Dunkirk Library board for six years, served on the board of Jay County Hospital for eight years, and was president of the Jay County Hospital Foundation for about five years. He also served as president of the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation for seven years and was on the Dunkirk City Council in the 1960s.
"Probably the biggest issues in the city at the present time are the potential loss of tax revenue and the decline of the business district. The day-to-day routine issues, such as water problems, street repairs, animal issues can be solved as they come up," Hubbard said. "The issue of job loss will not have an easy solution; there are not many 400-employee firms anxious to settle in Dunkirk. However, by working with the Jay County Economic Development Corporation and through the Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation we may be able to bring several new jobs to the area, through smaller manufacturing facilities."
Dunkirk city judge
Harriett Weekley
A Democrat, Weekley, 301 W. Washington St., grew up in Muncie and graduated from Ball State University in 1969 with a degree in elementary education.
"I am married to Robert Weekley and we have six children. I have worked mostly in the social work field for the past 30 years," she said.
"I would like to be city judge because I have always had an interest in the Dunkirk community and I feel this would be a good opportunity to use my experience and knowledge to benefit our city," she added.
Over the past 25 years, Mr. and Mrs. Weekley have opened up their home to more than 200 different foster children, some of whom they later adopted.
One of their children by birth, Andrea Weekley, is currently a full-time officer on the Dunkirk police force.
Tommy "Chip" Phillips II
Running for public office for the first time as a Republican, Phillips, 411 S. Main St., was born and raised in Dunkirk.
He graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1973, and graduated with honors from Marion College, now Indiana Wesleyan University at Marion, in 1978.
Phillips received a master's degree in education from Ball State University in 1983.
He has been a public school teacher for 28 years, working for the Jay School Corporation for the last 24 of those years.
Also he has served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, currently holding the rank of major.
About his reasons for serving as city judge, Phillips said, "I have a real passion for the law. I enjoy serving as judge and I believe that the city court should be run efficiently and properly and justice should be served."
Dunkirk Council
District 3
Charmaine O'Conner
A Republican, Charmaine O'Conner, 44, 203 E. Washington St., is a homemaker, mother and volunteer.
She and her husband, Steve, have three children and four grandchildren.
She is formerly from Illinois, having graduated from Grayslake Community High School and the Alpha Omega College of Real Estate.
Her other experience includes serving as an ombudsman for the Naval Warship USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 for about five years, acting as an advisor between the captain and the military families.
She has been involved in Dunkirk Elks Lodge 1776, the Glass Days Committee, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Dunkirk Lions Club.
"I am new to the community with fresh and untarnished ideals. My community involvement has brought insight to what our citizens believe to be problems. I see problems as opportunities," she said.
When asked about important issues facing the local community, she listed, "Tax base, vandalism, enforcement of city ordinances. In such a small community we need to look past our political parties and look towards our neighbors."
Craig Faulkner
Current council president, Democrat Craig Faulkner, 54, 338 E. Washington St., is seeking re-election. He has lived in the community all his life.
Faulkner is employed at Saint-Gobain Containers in Dunkirk. He graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1971.
He has worked for Saint-Gobain for more than 35 years, and is currently a journeyman machine operator in the forming department or "hot end" of the glass plant.
He belongs to the Sons of the American Legion, Dunkirk Moose Lodge, and Union Local 121, and is a member of the board of directors of Crossroads Financial Federal Credit Union.
He and his wife, Stephanie, have a daughter and a grandson.
Faulkner was first elected to the city council when he was 33 years old, and he's been the councilman in charge of the fire department throughout his council career.
"Every day I think about what the city should be doing," Faulkner said.
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