Here’s a New Year’s resolution you might not have considered: Vote. It’s an option available this year only to residents in cities and towns, but it’s an opportunity for those Hoosiers to help the state improve on a miserable performance last year. Statewide, just 30 percent of registered voters cast ballots – the worst turnout in the nation – and in Allen County turnout was even worse, just under 29 percent. Mayors’ races lead the tickets this spring and fall. Filing for the May primary elections opened Wednesday and will end Feb. 6. Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry announced he’ll be a candidate for a third term; New Haven Mayor Terry McDonald is seeking a fifth term. He was first elected as a Democrat in 1999, but he switched parties in 2003. Fort Wayne City Clerk Sandy Kennedy, a Democrat, won’t seek a ninth term. Republican Lana R. Keesling has already filed for the GOP nomination for clerk. Fort Wayne City Councilman Marty Bender also is bowing out this year, leaving his at-large seat open. Incumbent Councilman John Crawford and newcomers Eric Tippmann and Teresa Sutton have filed as Republican candidates for the three at-large seats. Competitive elections in both May and November should help spur interest in the election. There is no shortage of issues to debate, with ongoing discussion of Legacy Fund spending in Fort Wayne. The riverfront development proposal will be unveiled in February, and the city is expected to announce a new partner for the downtown Ash project in the weeks ahead. journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/Cast-a-ballot--have-a-say-in-2015-races-4390042
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 10:26:17 +0000
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