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Saturday, November 5, 2016

RIGHT TO HUNT & FISH AMENDMENT AKA QUESTION ONE

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https://www.facebook.com/GinaMBurgess/posts/10210785475697811
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HARVEST= CAFO FACTORY FARMS OR ENCLOSED ANIMAL SHOOTING GALLERIES; ENCLOSED TROPHY HUNTING IN INDIANA
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AKA CANNED HUNTING- CANNED HUNTS- of any animals- want to pay 100K to kill a lion- we will have one shipped from africa; placed in out enclosed safari enterprise- and you can go shoot it with your howitzer.
mount leos head on the wall; tan his hide; and make a rug; for your man cave
this is the worst case scenario-and the absurdist conclusion
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THAT BEING NOTED
ANALISYS AND COMMENTARY BY GINA BURGESS LOCAL PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST
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Gina Burgess with Jeff Bacon.

Yesterday at 12:50am

WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE NO TO PUBLIC QUESTION #1? Public Question #1 wants to add the right to hunt and fish to the Indiana Constitution. (See image for language.) This is the oh-so-brilliant brainchild---please note the sarcasm---of Republican State Senator Jim Tomes with the support of fellow Republicans Brent Steele, State Senator, and Sean Eberhart, State Representative, with the approval of former Governor Mike Pence, and with the full backing of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

There’s a number of reasons this Constitutional amendment is not needed. For example, there are already laws on the books that deal with hunting and fishing. Twice?!! Indiana Code Title 14 and Indiana Administrative Code Title 3120 Article 9 both address fishing and hunting. The later, IAC, contains 157 pages of rules, regulations, definitions, parameters and specs: http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/T03120/A00090.PDF

And these two legislative documents bring something to light---the proposed amendment is so vague that it actually presents a public safety hazard. For example, currently when you fish---you’re not allowed to poison fish. Why? Because you could contaminate water ways and accidentally poison people and pets. Also, when you fish, you are not allowed to blow ‘em up with dynamite. And you know that rule is on the books precisely because there’s always that oooooone person in the crowd that’s just crazy enough (or stupid enough) to pull a stunt like that.

Let’s turn to hunting---this Constitutional amendment doesn’t define hunting. Does it include the use of a firearm? And if so, is shooting a rat Downtown late at night as its coming out of one of the grease traps behind a restaurant consider hunting? Think not? Where in this Constitutional amendment does it say that? For that matter, does whatever I am shooting at even have to be alive. What if I want to go hunt those pink flamingo lawn ornaments? To which some of you are likely saying “hey now, come on—THAT really isn’t hunting.” And that is fair, but it’s also inaccurate. What makes hunting “hunting” and not simply shooting with style? Is it what you are hunting? Live animal? Plastic animal? An apple off Johnny TinCap’s head? What you are hunting with? A gun? A bow and arrow? A knife? A slingshot? A flamethrower? A fly-swatter? A remote-controlled droned programmed to drop a net under certain conditions? When you are hunting? Daytime? Nightime? During school? After school? Before a baseball game at Parkview Field? See---that’s the problem. This proposed Constitutional amendment doesn’t spell any of that out. What is prohibited? What is acceptable?
Putting the legal aside for a moment---there’s another reason we should all be voting NO to Public Question #1. It diminishes, degrades and cheapens the existing rights and freedoms currently found within the Indiana State Constitution. What if some legislator decided that Pepsi was the official soft drink for the State of Indiana and wanted to create a Constitutional amendment declaring that all liquid consumables from this point on be called Pepsi? Seems silly? Outrageous? Unnecessary? As in never going to happen?

Uhm, folks—what do you think we are doing here? We have two sets of hunting and fishing laws already on the books and now we’re trying to reinvent the wheel by adding a third set of laws to fishing and hunting by way of a Constitutional amendment? Doesn’t that seem silly? A bit outrageous? Redundantly unnecessary?

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COMMENTS
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James A Jim McCoy Jr. It's a backdoor to allow "hunting camps", where animals are fenced in and shot without having the freedom to run away. That's not hunting. It's sick and twisted. These people just like to shoot and kill things.

Like3Yesterday at 3:01am

Jeff Bacon That is horrible, thank you jim!

Like1Yesterday at 4:22am

Mary Protsman Davis I hate hate hunting camps.

Like1Yesterday at 7:51am

Jeff Bacon Shocking anyone would find pleasure in this and call it a sport

LikeYesterday at 9:25am

Audrey Miller-Queckboerner The right to hunt already exists. This amendment just gives more authority where none is needed.

LikeYesterday at 11:52am

Curtis J. Nash I didn't like this for many of the same reasons, particularly the vague language.

Like1Yesterday at 12:25pm

Jeff Frye So everyone knows. The right to hunt DOES NOT exist in Indiana's Bill of Rights. Look for yourself, I did and so no reference to the Right to Hunt. http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/inconst/art-1.html Someone please show me where it specifically states I have the right to hunt.

LikeYesterday at 2:04pmEdited

Gina Burgess Jeff -- Please re-read the first sentence of the proposed amendment: "The right to hunt, fish, and HARVEST wildlife..." HARVEST wildlife? We aren't protecting the right to hunt or fish. Those rights are already protected. A new level of rights are being created for factory farms. What other industry HARVEST animals??

Like22 hrs

Audrey Miller-Queckboerner The Constitution doesn't give us our rights. If it did, the Constitution could be amended to take away our rights and it can't do that. The Constitution simply exists to remind government not to infringe on our rights.

Like2Yesterday at 2:08pm

Jeff Frye Alright then I want to remind the Government that I have the Right to Hunt and Fish and Harvest the Land. It's a yes for me.

LikeYesterday at 2:12pm

Gina Burgess Jeff -- Its not about HARVESTING the land. Its about HARVESTING ANIMALS.

Like22 hrs

Linda Esterline People do not understand the magnitude of the constitution and you don't just go changing it on a whim. You can however pass laws to people can fish without getting arrested!

LikeYesterday at 2:26pm

Jeff Frye Isn't that exactly what this proposed bill of right is trying to do?

LikeYesterday at 2:45pm

Audrey Miller-Queckboerner The Indiana State Constitution already protect your right to hunt and fish Jeff. This amendment is not necessary. Read this for more information:http://wearelibertarians.com/hoosiers-constitutional.../

Hoosiers: There Is a Constitutional Vote on your Ballot - Right to Hunt and Fish

WEARELIBERTARIANS.COM

Like3Yesterday at 2:48pm

Stephanie Kiger O'Rourke Polk I voted yes because I thought it sounded like they were trying to conserve wildlife. That the way it seemed to me but I had to read it 4 times to come to that conclusion.

LikeYesterday at 6:35pm

Gina Burgess Stephanie -- The language starts out "The right to hunt, fish and HARVEST wildlife...." This is waaaaay more than merely hunting or fishing.

This is using people's fear of losing rights (hunting and fishing) to illicit an emotional response to get people to vote and then later usings conflicting language to make it easier for folks who voted YES to swallow what they actually did.

As I said, the language starts out "The right to hunt, fish and HARVEST wildlife (factory farms)...." and then later says "....(1) promote wildlife conservation and management and (2) preserve the future of hunting and fishing..." You see--By offering contradictions in the language, it helps to create two inferences---that this amendment is either to conserve wildlife or its to harvest wildlife---and that helps to divide people, pit them against each other, and cause conflict for the sole purpose of distracting people from what is really going on....and that is the HARVESTING of wildlife (factory farms).

Like22 hrs

Stephanie Kiger O'Rourke Polk I so wish I had read this before I voted

Like114 hrs

Gina Burgess Stephanie Kiger O'Rourke Polk -- It's ok. There are a lot of good-hearted people out there that are going to make the same mistake you made because of how the amendment was written. And it was written that way purposefully to mislead people.

Your vote has been cast and there's no way to take your vote back, but if you could--Please share this info with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and anyone else who may not have already voted. That would help to cancel out your vote and the votes of others who were duped.

Like13 hrs

Jeff Bacon You got played

Like1Yesterday at 6:54pm

Joe Renner I voted no. We don't want any government agencies to be able to infringe on the natural rights of humanity to hunt, fish, or forage for food as needed for survival purposes.

Like2Yesterday at 7:13pm

Stephanie Kiger O'Rourke Polk Gina Burgess I have a totally different question from this. I don't mean to derail the subject. I just Read on 21alive news site that Roy Buskirk passed away today. My condolences to his family if you know any of them. The question is, I voted today and he was on the ballot. If he wins will a different republican be selected for his spot and if so, how do they pick who it would be?

Like2Yesterday at 7:33pm

Tyler Cooley If Buskirk is elected, the republicans will be able to appoint someone to that seat.

Like1Yesterday at 10:06pm

Gina Burgess Thats a good question Stephanie---and one a lot of people are asking. I haven't had a chance to look into this more closely, but Tyler is likely correct.

Generally when someone is elected to office and they are removed or are unable to serve the re...See More

Like122 hrs

Audrey Miller-Queckboerner I hadn't heard that news yet. Sad day.

Like115 hrs

Stephanie Kiger O'Rourke Polk Thanks to you both and yes it is sad news. My heart goes out to his family

Like14 hrs

Kyle Jon Stevenson Gina Burgess, I appreciate you informing people but why do you only give one side? Are you vegetarian or have you ever been a member of or supported PETA?

Like16 hrs

Jeff Bacon I am a vegetarian, support PETA and the ASPCA, my problem with meat is the ill treatment of animals and yes we absolutely oppose "shooting fish in a barrel" if you are a true sportsman and hunt one on one with skill and eat what you kill. Hey! It's a free world. If you shoot animals that are caged for your protection...thats not helping the "animal conservation" efforts that hunters claim to be exersicing by thinning herds and being a part of the "balance" of nature. To each his own, but I slept better knowing I did not support animal abuse, pain and suffering.

Like15 hrs

Jeff Bacon My Heart felt thanks to Gina for taking the time to answer this complicated issues. Thus making voting an intelligent exersice of my right to choose how I am governed.

Like15 hrs

Kyle Jon Stevenson But she only answered why she feels it's unnecessary. That's only half of the issue. There are similar amendments in a dozen other states. We need more info.

Like14 hrs

Greg Dickman It just maintains state control of hunting and fishing regulations, so local boards do not try to use Home Rule to license, interpret and enforce the regulations however they feel against whomever they feel.

Like12 hrs

Jean Uhrick Our state constitution should not be riddled up with such trivial matters

Like11 hrs

Jeff Bacon Trivial?

BURGESS REVIEWS COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

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LOCAL POLITICAL ANALYST PUBLIC POLICY WONKETTE AND COMMENTATOR/JOURNALIST
GINA BURGESS

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correction-
Gina has reviewed her facts and research and analysis- and has updated her county council candidate review:
see post here- or newer on this blog- november 07-2016
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https://www.facebook.com/GinaMBurgess/posts/10210814605506038
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https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=vote%20for%20david%20c%20roach%20democrat%20party
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https://www.facebook.com/GinaMBurgess/posts/10210784871362703
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VOTE FOR ROACH-
THIS SEGMENT IS RIDDLED WITH ERRORS; OR AT LEAST NEEDS CLARIFICATIONS.
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POLITICS IS NOT A BLACK AND WHITE MATTER- IT REQUIRES A LOT OF GRAY MATTER.
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Democrat David Roach is a frequent candidate who has unsuccessfully run for Allen County Sheriff, Fort Wayne Mayor, and now Allen County Council. He served a tour of duty in the Army and is a wild card. While he is and has run a self-financed campaign in the past, he often plays the public role of “the joker.” This makes his actions completely unpredictable---he is cavalier when he should be serious and he is ridiculous when the situation is cavalier. Because Roach is a wild card, Mayor Henry won’t underwrite Roach’s campaign. Unlike the other Democratic candidates noted above, over the years Roach has made himself accessible and responsive to me. Late last year, however, Roach’s online behavior became increasingly inappropriate, disrespectful and at times erratic. After numerous warnings by me to modify his behavior and clean up his act, I unfriended and subsequently blocked Roach. Last I knew---and this could have change (more than once probably)—but Roach was pro-Annexation, pro-County Government Restructuring, and he often flipped-flopped on the Regional Cities issue. Due to his erratic and unpredictable behavior, it with regrets that I am unable to endorse him.

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HERE ARE THIS ISSUES AS PROJECTED/ CONJECTURED COMMENTAROY BY GINA BURGESS-
A "FRIEND"- ACQUAINTANCE/POLITICAL PARTISAN- BUT SHE HAS SOME "QUIRKS- THAT CAUSE US TO NOT GET ALONG OFTEN- I LOSE MY PATIENCE WITH HER AND VICE VERSA.
WE ARE STRICTLY POLITICAL ALLIES ON THE SAME DEMOCRAT PARTY AND IT AMAZES ME HOW MUCH HER OPINIONS AND "TAKES" AND OUTLOOKS AND ATTITUDES ON THE ISSUES AND JUST WANTING/DESIRING TO BE GOOD CITIZENS AND PURSUE GOOD SOUND PUBLIC POLICY AND TAXATION FINANCE TO BENEFIT THE MOST RESIDENTS.
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GINA IS A METICULOUS BORDERING ON OBSESSIVE RESEARCHER AND PERFECTIONIST- WHICH IS A GOOD THING FOR ALL THE REST OF US.
ME? IM MORE LIKE- IVE STUDIED THE WHATS GOING ON AROUND HERE AND THE WHO BENEFITS AND FOLLOW THE MONEY- UP IN MY HEAD- WHICH IS LIKE AN ANALYTICAL COMPUTER- "HEURISTICS" IS THE TERM.
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JUST TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THE SAME MISSION- FIX GFORT WAYNE GROW OUR HOMETOWN AND GROW THE ECONOMY FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR EVERYONE; NOT JUST THE PLUTOCRAT/KLEPTOCRAT CLASSES OF CARPETBAGGERS AND PLUNDERERS.
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SO- ON WITH THE SHOW:
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There are four other candidates on the ballot and as stated above, I could have chosen one additional candidate, but I am choosing not to. Before I explain why I am not endorsing the rest of the field, I would first like to take a moment to discuss some of the major issues that will or may be coming forth with this upcoming County Council:

TAX ABATEMENTS: These are government hand-outs to county businesses. Earlier this year, City Councilman Jason Arp introduced a proposal that would get rid of both City Council and County Council’s need to hand out tax abatements like candy on Halloween. The proposal basically eliminated the personal property tax for businesses. Several governmental entities that are co-dependent on these tax dollars came out in force against stopping what would have been a universal tax abatement for all local businesses---and yet those same tax-addicted entities fail to attend City Council or County Council meetings when tax abatements are being handed out?? Long story short---either we should be fair and give every business tax abatements or give no businesses tax abatements.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY STUDIES: Personally, I am for local government efficiency studies, but in my opinion efficiency studies are pretty useless without also conducting audits. All efficiency studies do is streamline processes and procedures in an effort to streamline operations—which I am for---but you can’t really properly streamline processes and procedures without first taking accounting of the waste from those processes and procedures. This means taking an audit of accounts and an inventory of physical supplies and equipment. Because no account auditing and no physical inventory is being taken, it is becoming clear that the dual local (City and County) government efficiency studies are a preparation for another attempted County Government Restructuring. And by County Government Restructuring—what we are really talking about is an Indy-style Unigov , which is a form of regional government.

REGIONAL CITIES: Governor Mike Pence created two Regional City Initiative Grants by taking taxpayer dollars that were supposed to be used for road repair and infrastructure needs and used those monies to essentially create a form of an incentive for the two groups of people that controlled two of the Regional Cities that Pence needed for re-election (now VP election). Later, a third group emerged either demanding the same treatment or using some other form of leverage to obtain a third Regional City Initiative Grant. To get funding for that third grand, the County wheel tax needed to be raised across the State---and it was by a majority, if not all, 92 Indiana Counties. Folks—Please keep in mind that any money that comes from Local Government, State Government or Federal Government originated with you as tax dollars. So when the State government gives the City of Fort Wayne, the County of Allen or some other entity like Greater Fort Wayne or the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership a “grant”---all they are doing is taking your tax dollars that were intended for one specific expense and using the tax dollars collected for that purpose for something never originally intended. Regional City’s monies are YOUR TAX DOLLARS. They are NOT “grants.”

This is important to understand because Fort Wayne is one of 9 Regional Cities. Each Congressional District has a Regional City. To put this in a more simpler term---for those of you who have seen the movie The Hunger Games: Fort Wayne is a “Capital City” from which resources are taken from other districts and transferred into the “Capital City.” Here in Fort Wayne, the entity co-founded by Mayor Tom Henry, Commissioner Nelson Peters, Deputy Mayor Karl Bandemere and others and currently “led” by Eric Doden is Greater Fort Wayne. Greater Fort Wayne has put forth a 10-year spending package that will likely use the rest of the Legacy Fund and all of the the awarded Regional Cities Grant Initiative (both money sources funded by your local, county, state and federal tax dollars) to create and “develop” grandiose venues and nearby parking---both of which you will have to then pay to use. Are you getting this? The system created taxes to fund needs, used those funds to create a FUND, packaged that FUND as a grant, to be used to create things that will require you to purchase tickets or pay an admission fee to be able to use the venue first created with your tax dollars. (And this nonsense is why you cannot vote for a Henry-backed candidate for ANY office.)

FUTURE ANNEXATION ATTEMPT: Folks—there is going to be another attempt. I don’t know when. I don’t know where. And I’m not sure how—although I may have an inkling. But with all of these unknowns, I promise---it’s going to happen. And here’s why?

You have Mitch Daniels as the current President of Purdue University single-handedly restructuring IPFW to be a “metropolitan university” because it reaches far beyond the campus and far beyond Fort Wayne. You have water and sewage services from the City of Fort Wayne-owned, Board of Public Works-managed Fort Wayne City Utilities stretching far beyond Fort Wayne. You have efforts underway by the Fort Wayne Fire Department to take over EMS services from Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, which provides ambulance services throughout Allen County and beyond Fort Wayne---and if successful, FWFD will be entering into interlocal agreements with all 20 townships, the City of Fort Wayne, the City of New Haven, the County of Allen, the Parkview Medical Network and the Lutheran Medical Network cementing fire and ambulance services throughout Allen County and beyond Fort Wayne. (More on this issue later in another post.) You have Fort Wayne Community Schools shutting down schools, “selling” or simply “transferring” the real estate of closed schools to other taxpayer-subsidized governmental entities who then “sell” that real estate asset to a third-party private company, who in turn provides an energy product/service that….(drum roll please)…is provided throughout Fort Wayne and beyond Fort Wayne. Do you see a pattern here?

The City is extending by itself or in conjunction with other entities products and services beyond its current geographical boundaries. At the same time, its developing Downtown into a Regional City (“Capital City”) mecca within 10 years, has developed a program (Road to One Million) to double the population of Fort Wayne within 10 years, and is conducting dual City-County efficiency studies to streamline government operations so they can be later merged into a regional government system like Unigov. With expanded service territories of the local university, water, sewage, fire, ambulance and energy; with a program to in place to increase local population; and with local government restructuring efforts underway as a result of the dual efficiency studies---Fort Wayne will have to annex to be able to support all of this. (And this is another reason why you should not vote for a Henry-backed candidate for ANY office.)

Ok, so now onto why I cannot endorse the remaining candidates that make up the County Council field:

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ina Burgess added 2 new photos.

November 3 at 10:26pm

2016 ENDORSEMENTS – ALLEN COUNTY COUNCIL: I had hoped to provide my endorsements as one post, but facebook isn’t quite cooperating. So I will be posting my endorsements throughout the day. Please check back periodically throughout the day and remember to refresh my page when you do return due to Facebook’s ever-changing algorithm.

METHODOLOGY: Before I give any endorsements, I would like to remind everyone of my methodology. When reviewing who I’m going to vote for (and therefore who I am going to recommend to others when asked), the first thing I have to ask myself is “Is the incumbent, my current representative, doing a good job by me and my family?” By me and my family….sounds a lil selfish, doesn’t it? It is. And that’s the point. Your vote is about choosing what is best for you and your family. All too often, political parties try to herd us all into this mentality of left or right. They do it by waiving the flag of patriotism around, cite a moral superiority and ask us to think about the greater community or the bigger picture. For more info on my methodology, please visit:https://www.facebook.com/GinaMBurgess/posts/10204979408269754

ALLEN COUNTY COUNCIL

MY ENDORSEMENT (PENDING): My endorsements for this race are for two out of the three positions—Republican Robert A. Armstrong and Republican Roy Buskirk. Voters can pick three candidates from EITHER party in this race. Or they can opt to select less than three candidates as I have here.

I chose Republican Roy Buskirk for many reasons, but one of the biggest ones is how he represents his constituents. He is constantly out there talking to and with those he represents. He keeps the lines of communications open, which makes him very accessible, and he is really good about getting back with people---sometimes even better than I am---and that makes him incredibly responsive. I ran against him in 2012 for the County Council At-Large position and lost. But even though I had lost, he worked to implement some of the items I had campaigned on in 2012 to increase the transparency and accountability of County Government. In 2014, Roy and I and others worked together as a nonpartisan coalition to stop the County Government Restructuring proposal of 2014. And together, we were successful. In late 2014 to early 2015, Roy again ran with an idea of mine to make County Government more inclusive to those who were visually- and hearing-impaired by making sure the monthly County Council meetings were transcribed, verbatim, and implementing an audio feature in the PDF version of the transcript that could be turned on to “read” the transcript out loud. (And btw Roy---thank you very much for your help with those items.) Earlier this year, Roy was diagnosed with a somewhat aggressive form of cancer and despite that diagnosis, he continues to serve this community. While Roy and I agree more often than we don’t, there have been times when we’ve been at odds. But despite those times, Roy has always worked to keep the lines of communication open. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a true sign of a public servant.

I chose Republican Robert A Armstrong for many reasons as well. Like Roy, I have campaigned against Bob in 2012 for County Council and again in 2015 for City Council. Bob and I had a bit of a rocky start. I ran a very aggressive campaign in 2012 and Bob responded by shutting down the lines of communication. However, we found ourselves on the same side of issues in 2014 as we were both against the then-proposed version of County Government Restructuring; again I 2015 when we both lost our City Council primary races and could not believe just how different the Council races were to campaign on; and again in 2016 with both of us being against the proposed North IV Annexation, against the run away spending of Downtown/Riverfront Development, both against the proposed new stadium-turned-expansion of the Grand Wayne Center, and more. I can’t recall when Bob re-opened the lines of communication, but I have appreciated him doing so. I have a feeling we will be working together again should Greater Fort Wayne’s covert-but-not-so-covert efforts of re-attempting County Government Restructuring arise out of the dual County and City government efficiency studies and possible again on another potential Annexation matter, should it arise by way of some new, specially-created state legislation drafted by Phil GiaQuinta.

To date, both Roy Buskirk and Robert “Bob” Armstrong tend to be fiscally conservative---although there are times I wish both would be more conservative on County Council. There’s far too many tax abatements being handed out and I didn’t agree with the vote to increase the County Wheel Tax this year nor the approval of the Redevelopment Authority from 2015 (or 2014). But I also understand that if you both had voted against these items, they would have still been approved by the rest of County Council.

Ok, so now onto why I cannot endorse the remaining candidates that make up the County Council field:

Democrat Morrison Agen is a first-time political candidate who is the owner of a local music store. He is pro-Annexation, pro-Regional Cities, and very heavily funded by Mayor Tom Henry. He is very much an establishment candidate and will likely vote in favor of any new or future attempts at county government restructuring. Agen has refused to accept a friend request from me, making himself unavailable to me for question. Since this is an At-Large position, if elected he would be representing me. However, as many of you know, I am a firm believer that residents can only be properly represented when elected officials are accessible and responsive to their constituents. In this case, Agen has chosen to be inaccessible and non-responsive to me, as one of his potential constituents. By virtue of Agen’s choice, I am unable to endorse him. In fairness, however, I would like not endorse him anyways due to his pro-Annexation, pro-Regional Cities, and pro-County Government Restructuring positions. On a more personal note---I am flattered that the ACDP continues to recycle my 2012 campaign strategies, but it’s gotten a little ridiculous when you train candidates to regurgitate my words and phrases instead of paraphrasing things. Ok—let me rephrase this, I am flattered but you’ve crossed into the creepy zone.

Democrat Palermo Galindo is a first-time political candidate who is the President of the Greater Fort Wayne Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He is also is also Mayor Henry’s community liason, serving on all four Fort Wayne neighborhood Area Partnerships by appointment of the Mayor. He is pro-Annexation, pro-Regional Cities, and very heavily funded by Mayor Tom Henry. He is very much an establishment candidate and will likely vote in favor of any new or future attempts at county government restructuring. Galindo has refused to accept a friend request from me, making himself unavailable to me for question. Since this is an At-Large position, if elected he would be representing me. However, as many of you know, I am a firm believer that residents can only be properly represented when elected officials are accessible and responsive to their constituents. In this case, Galindo has chosen to be inaccessible and non-responsive to me, as one of his potential constituents. By virtue of Galindo’s choice, I am unable to endorse him. In fairness, however, I would like not endorse him anyways due to his pro-Annexation, pro-Regional Cities, and pro-County Government Restructuring positions.

Democrat David Roach is a frequent candidate who has unsuccessfully run for Allen County Sheriff, Fort Wayne Mayor, and now Allen County Council. He served a tour of duty in the Army and is a wild card. While he is and has run a self-financed campaign in the past, he often plays the public role of “the joker.” This makes his actions completely unpredictable---he is cavalier when he should be serious and he is ridiculous when the situation is cavalier. Because Roach is a wild card, Mayor Henry won’t underwrite Roach’s campaign. Unlike the other Democratic candidates noted above, over the years Roach has made himself accessible and responsive to me. Late last year, however, Roach’s online behavior became increasingly inappropriate, disrespectful and at times erratic. After numerous warnings by me to modify his behavior and clean up his act, I unfriended and subsequently blocked Roach. Last I knew---and this could have change (more than once probably)—but Roach was pro-Annexation, pro-County Government Restructuring, and he often flipped-flopped on the Regional Cities issue. Due to his erratic and unpredictable behavior, it with regrets that I am unable to endorse him.
Republican Eric Tippmann is a second-time candidate and from what I know and seen, he’s a pretty nice guy. But as nice as he is, he won’t “friend me”—a potential constituent---on facebook nor will he open any lines of communication with me. That alone is enough for me to not endorse him. An elected official cannot properly represent a constituent if that official is not accessible or responsive to the constituent. But there’s more than that---I don’t know what his position is as it pertains to Tax Abatement, County Government Restructuring, Regional Cities, or Annexation matters. If I were to assume the very best---that he is against all of these matters---then another question gets raised: Why was he campaigning in Whitley County when he is running for Allen County Council?
THE POSITION: The Allen County Council is comprised of seven members, four elected from districts and three elected at-large. Council serves as the County's fiscal body. Members of Council must reside within the county and the district from which they were elected, if applicable. Council also sets and approves the County's annual property tax levy. County Council is responsible for establishing an annual budget for County Government. Council is also responsible for appropriating funds for the operation of County Government. The County Auditor serves as the secretary of the fiscal body. For more info, please visit:http://www.allencounty.us/county-council

ALLEN COUNTY COUNTY COUNCIL
The Position:
The Duties and Responsibilities:

THE CANDIDATES:

Morrison Agen (Democrat)
Allen County Democrat website:
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/MorrisonForCountyCouncil

Palermo (Pal) Galindo (Democrat)
Allen County Democrat website:
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Palermo-Pal-Galindo-for-Allen-Cou…/

David Christopher Roach (Democrat)
Allen County Democrat website:
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/davidchristopherroach

Robert A Armstrong (Republican)
Allen County Republican website:
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/ArmstrongforCountyCouncil

Roy Buskirk (Republican)
Allen County Republican website:
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Roy-Buskirk-for-Allen-County-Coun…/

Eric (ET) Tippmann (Republican)
Allen County Republican website:
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/EricTippmann

Friday, November 4, 2016

2016 FROST ILLUSTRATED CANDIDATE REVIEW ALLEN COUNTY COUNCIL AT-LARGE

VOTE FOR HILLARY CLINTON EVAN BAYH JOHN GREGG GLENDA RITZJUDGE LORENZO ARREDONDO &DEMOCRATS
LEARN MORE HERE:
http://www.allencountydemocrats.org/Candidates.aspx

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http://www.frostillustrated.com/2016/allen-county-general-election-2016-frost-illustrated-candidate-survey-results/
my opponents news and views at at the above link- but why would you want to know anything more than
VOTE FOR DAVID CHRISTOPHER ROACH FOR 2016 DEMOCRAT ALLEN COUNTY COUNCIL AT -LARGE?
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VOTE STRAIGHT DEMOCRAT TICKET- VOTE NO ON THE DECEPTIVE HUNTING AND FISHING RIGHTS AMENDMENT- ITS A BOGUS SPECIAL INTEREST PUT UP JOB-
VOTE FOR YOUR FWCS & NWACS AND EACS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS- OF YOUR CHOICE-
SCROLL TO THE LAST BALLOT PAGE- AND SELECT ALL THREE BUTTONS FOR DEMOCRATS ON COUNTY COUNCIL- ITS SIMPLE R THAN YOU THINK.
CHECK YOUR BALLOT; THEN PRESS THE RED VOTE BUTTON.
ARRIVE PREPARED; AND BE QUICK- DONT RUCH; BUT OTHERS WANT TO VOTE EARLY OR ON ELECTION DAY TOO- DEADLINES-
SO- MORRISON AGEN AND PALERMO GALINDO ARE THE OTHER TWO PLAYERS ON THE DEMOCRAT TRIFECTA DREAM TEAM

AND BE SURE TO VOTE FOR TOMMY SCHRADER- BECAUSE WE CANT AFFORD ANY MORE SOUDER/STUTZMAN/ BANKS/QUAYLE/COATS PENCE DANIELS REAGAN BUSH CHENEY TRUMP IDIOCY IN CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON DC

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David Christopher Roach

David Christopher Roach

Question 1 answer:link to your county govt:

http://www.allencounty.us/

link: your COUNTY COUNCIL- Who they are; how to contact them; and what they do:

http://www.allencounty.us/county-council

Allen County Budget on-line

FOLLOW THE MONEY- Your Tax Dollars at work. Examine this link; and tell your county council what you want or want to change; or ask questions.

http://www.allencounty.us/allen-county-budget

Question 2 answer: I am a near Life-Long resident of Allen County/Fort Wayne since 1967. I have had a lot of fun working & living here. I want to give back something to my beloved hometown by serving my fellow friends neighbors & citizens at an $8 /Hr/$16K /yr lowly public servant/ accounting clerical bureaucrat job.

I got fed up with never having any Democrat choices on the ballot- the Democrat Party Hacks just want to forfeit their ballots & fraudulently run “RINO’s” and “DINO’s” or DISHONESTLY RIG THE SYSTEM by cross-over voting in the GOP Primaries & then back as “Dems” in the general election. This is Criminal at the least; & Felonious at worst. The Party Hacks know the rules & have dozens of corrupt lawyers on staff – They know the laws; it’s time they obeyed them like the rest of us & let the Voters decide instead of endless legal litigation & Judicial technicalities wasting the Court’s & Taxpayers Time & Money

Question 3 answer:http://dcroach.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-resume.html

I have lived in Allen County for 50 years SINCE 1967. I was born in Santa Barbara California, USA. I have attended FWCS Public Schools from 3-12; Sunnymede (EACS), St. Joe Center Harris- Lane- Snider- IPFW. I spent three years in the US Navy in a War Zone (& Cold War) on an Aircraft Carrier in the Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf. I received a Navy Expeditionary Medal and a couple of other routine Deployment medals. I worked in Naval Intelligence as an AIRMAN E-3. I Graduated from Ivy Tech College with an Applied Computer Science Technology Degree; & Ohio State University with a Business & Economics Bachelor’s Degree. I studied Urban Economics; Govt Finance; Public Policy; & Money & Banking. Also International Studies; Political Science; & 20th Century World History. (of which I lived in from 1960 until 2016- 56 years)

I am a Strong Healthy, Straight, White,Male of European Ancestry, A Spiritual California-born Surfer “THE DUDE” at heart American Citizen.

I have not sold my soul to PACS; Party Hacks; Special Interests; Lobbyists or other corrupting influences. I will only work for ALL residents of Allen County; particularly the SE part of Ft. Wayne- where we need to invest to improve the property tax base; our neighborhoods & our rural areas that all need to be considered. I’m have few ties to the corrupt downtown kleptocracy; plutocrats and carpetbaggers whose “development schemes” will only serve to enrich the Overlords & Bugger the rest of us. We will be left with a sack full of IOUs while the Overlords run off to tax havens to retire rich on the backs of the rest of us downtrodden working stiffs. This will stop under my watch.

I fail to see how a adjunct PHD in chemistry teaching part time at a dysfunctional Local Branch campus who has not even lived in the USA for decades can have the insight nor perspective as the rest of us who have been working BOOTS ON THE GROUND for a Lifetime . we shall see how far “name confusion” carries the day; or simply being a GOP’er

Question 4 answer: I suppose the County Council (CC) is working OK. Since 1991-(25 years)- I have closely followed city & county government meetings on public access TV; & online- There are a few things that could be reformed, like all Govts; –

The open seat vacated by Mr. Brown should be filled by an Independent minded Democrat who is a Fiscal Conservative & Social Liberal/Centrist- who will raise issues & ask questions from the taxpayers & citizens who are often ignored due to conservative “political correctness”

I will work hard to get along with the other CC members; & County officials many of who I am acquainted with from my 1990 GOP days.

My main issues will be more cash for our Veterans Office & asking why we spend so many Millions of dollars on AADP; & Redwood Toxicology-Drugs & Alcohol Prohibition. I believe the needle exchange program is stupid and only enables Addicts. This is all a distraction to shut down and silence the legalize marijuana movement We need to make clear to Heroin Addicts, etc. they are not welcome here & will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law ;

TWO- I will assure our county sheriff & justice system have the resources wisely provided they need for Public Safety, & Helping the various screwballs foul-ups misfits & “Square Pegs” fit in and conform to community standards expectations & Ethics

Lastly: I have an eccentric interest in Research of Allen County History- the obscure, interesting, Tabloid stories that citizens may be curious about.

Question 5 answer: I do not think any major changes need to be made in the operation of this office- the Surrounding County towns and citizens have made it VERY CLEAR they are content with “business as usual” And a Plurality of city Residents who Elect County Officials & pay both city & County Taxes – have made it clear they want a County Councilman who will Listen and publicize and follow their Concerns; & wants & needs -they are paying for. I Intend to do this to the utmost of technology and 21st century public policy – Doing what works.

Question 6 answer: Again the main Policies and issues I will focus on are Maximum openness transparency & accountability to the Public; Uploading All public records to the Internet- ( w/ redactions as needed for privacy)- Court records; sheriff’s records criminal justice, and so on- anything the Public demands and is willing to pay for .

Maximum Funding for our County Veterans & War Heroes at the County Veterans Service Office. With so many War Veterans – from WW2, Korea, VietNam, Interim wars; & Iraq & Afghanistan- the Need is great and we must spend what is necessary to meet the needs of our veterans and their families; whatever the price tag.

I am open minded to study the need for a minimal security PUBLICALLY OWNED & OPERATED COUNTY JAIL /Prison Camp for the many average inmates & ex-cons willing to become law abiding tax paying citizens again & resources for an Mentally ill;& Drug Addicted special confinement Lock-up to process them into the proper institutions. Jail Guards have enough work without babysitting the Insane or the addicts or mentally deficient

Lastly: I will raise the issue of Legalized Recreational Marijuana-Legal as Tomatoes- & kept from Minors- to raise revenue & attract Millennials; artists musicians nightclub workers; nonconformists outside the box entrepreneurs & Others who want to live in a fiscal conservative social liberal freedom and liberty sort of city. College educated singles & young adults. My approach is a near polar opposite of the current downtown riverfront schemes as visioned by GFW and “the usual bunch of idiots”

Question 7 answer: Asking the Citizens & Taxpayers input of how much government they want & How much are you willing to pay for it, then delivering those services in the best affordable way realistically possible in a fiscally sustainable way.

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http://www.frostillustrated.com/2016/allen-county-general-election-2016-frost-illustrated-candidate-survey-results/
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EN ESPANOL /IN SPANISH
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David Christopher Roach

David Christopher Roach
David Christopher Roach
Pregunta 1 respuesta: link to your county govt:

http://www.allencounty.us/

Enlace: su CONDADO CONSEJO - Quiénes son; Cómo contactarlos; Y lo que hacen:

http://www.allencounty.us/county-council

Presupuesto del Condado de Allen on-line

SIGA EL DINERO: Sus Dólares Fiscales en el trabajo. Examine este enlace; Y decirle a su consejo de condado lo que quiere o quiere cambiar; O hacer preguntas.

http://www.allencounty.us/allen-county-budget

Respuesta de la pregunta 2: Soy un residente de casi toda la vida del Condado de Allen / Fort Wayne desde 1967. Me he divertido mucho trabajando y viviendo aquí. Quiero devolver algo a mi querida ciudad natal sirviendo a mis amigos vecinos amigos y los ciudadanos en un $ 8 / Hr / $ 16K / año humilde funcionario público / trabajo de burocracia de oficina de contabilidad.

Estoy harto de no tener ninguna elección de demócrata en la boleta electoral- el Partido Demócrata Hacks sólo quiere perder sus boletas y ejecutar fraudulentamente "RINO's" y "DINO's" o DISHONESTLY RIG THE SYSTEM por cross-over de votación en el GOP Primaries & then De regreso como "Dems" en las elecciones generales. Esto es Criminal en lo más mínimo; & Felonious en el peor. Los hackers del partido saben las reglas y tienen docenas de abogados corruptos en el personal - saben las leyes; Es hora de que les obedezcan como el resto de nosotros y dejar que los votantes decidan en lugar de interminables litigios legales y técnicos judiciales desperdiciando el tiempo de la corte y los contribuyentes y el dinero

Pregunta 3: http://dcroach.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-resume.html

He vivido en el Condado de Allen durante 50 años DESDE 1967. Nací en Santa Barbara California, USA. He asistido a las Escuelas Públicas de FWCS de 3-12; Sunnymede (EACS), Centro St. Joe Harris-Lane-Snider-IPFW. Pasé tres años en la marina de guerra de los EEUU en una zona de guerra (guerra fría) en un portaaviones en el Océano Índico / Golfo Pérsico. Recibí una medalla expedicionaria de la Armada y un par de otras medallas de rutina de despliegue. Trabajé en Inteligencia Naval como un AVIADOR E-3. Me gradué de la universidad de la tecnología de la hiedra con un grado aplicado de la tecnología de la informática; & Ohio State University con una Licenciatura de Negocios y Economía. Estudié Economía Urbana; Finanzas del gobierno; Política pública; Y dinero y banca. También Estudios Internacionales; Ciencias Políticas; Historia del Mundo del Siglo XX. (De los cuales viví en 1960 hasta 2016- 56 años)

Soy un hombre sano, recto, blanco, varón de ascendencia europea, un surfista California-natural espiritual "EL TIPO" en el corazón del ciudadano americano.

No he vendido mi alma a PACS; Hacks del partido; Intereses especiales; Lobbyistas u otras influencias corruptoras. Trabajaré solamente para TODOS los residentes del condado de Allen; Particularmente la parte SE de Ft. Wayne- donde necesitamos invertir para mejorar la base imponible de la propiedad; Nuestros barrios y nuestras áreas rurales que todos deben ser considerados. Tengo pocos lazos con la corrupta kleptocracia del centro; Plutocratas y carpetbaggers cuyos "planes de desarrollo" sólo servirá para enriquecer el Overlords & Bugger el resto de nosotros. Nos quedaremos con un saco lleno de IOUs mientras que los Overlords se escapan a los paraísos fiscales para retirarse ricos en las espaldas del resto de nosotros oprimidos trabajadores. Esto se detendrá bajo mi reloj.

No puedo ver cómo un doctorado adjunto en la enseñanza de la química a tiempo parcial en un campus disfuncional de la rama local que ni siquiera ha vivido en los EE.UU. durante décadas puede tener la visión o la perspectiva como el resto de nosotros que han estado trabajando BOOTS ON THE GROUND para un Toda la vida . Veremos hasta qué punto la "confusión del nombre" lleva el día; O simplemente ser un GOP'er
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PART TWO- SPANISH TRANSLATION:
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Pregunta 4 respuesta: Supongo que el Consejo del Condado (CC) está funcionando bien. Desde 1991 - (25 años) - he seguido de cerca las reuniones del gobierno de la ciudad y del condado en la TV pública del acceso; & Online- Hay algunas cosas que podrían ser reformadas, como todos los Gobiernos; -

El asiento abierto vacante por el Sr. Brown debe ser llenado por un Demócrata de mente independiente que es un Conservador Fiscal y Social Liberal / Centrista- que planteará cuestiones y formulará preguntas a los contribuyentes y ciudadanos que a menudo son ignorados debido a la "corrección política conservadora"

Trabajaré duro para conseguir junto con los otros miembros del CC; & Funcionarios del condado muchos de quién estoy familiarizado con de mis días del GOP 1990.

Mis principales problemas serán más dinero para nuestra Oficina de Veteranos y preguntando por qué gastamos tantos Millones de dólares en AADP; & Redwood Toxicology-Drogas y Prohibición del Alcohol. Creo que el programa de intercambio de agujas es estúpido y sólo permite a los adictos. Esto es todo una distracción para cerrar y silenciar la legalización del movimiento de marihuana. Tenemos que dejar claro a los adictos a la heroína, etc. no son bienvenidos aquí y serán procesados hasta el máximo de la ley;

DOS - Aseguraré que nuestro condado sheriff y sistema de justicia tenga los recursos sabiamente siempre que ellos necesitan para la Seguridad Pública, y Ayudando a los varios malabarismos de las faltas de los screwballs y de las "clavijas cuadradas" encajan adentro y se conforman a las expectativas y las éticas de las normas de la comunidad

Por último: Tengo un interés excéntrico en la investigación de la historia del condado de Allen - las historias oscuras, interesantes, tabloides que los ciudadanos pueden ser curiosos.

Pregunta 5 Respuesta: No creo que se necesiten cambios importantes en el funcionamiento de esta oficina. Las ciudades y los ciudadanos del condado circundante han hecho MUY CLARO que están contentos con "business as usual" y una pluralidad de residentes de la ciudad que eligen Los Oficiales del Condado y pagan tanto la Ciudad como los Impuestos del Condado - han dejado claro que quieren un Concejal del Condado que Escuchará y dará a conocer y seguir sus Preocupaciones; & Quiere y necesita - están pagando. Tengo la intención de hacer esto con la máxima tecnología y la política pública del siglo XXI - Hacer lo que funciona.

Respuesta de la pregunta 6: Una vez más, las principales políticas y cuestiones en las que me centraré son: Máxima transparencia en la transparencia y rendición de cuentas ante el público; Cargar todos los registros públicos en Internet (con las redacciones necesarias para la privacidad) - Archivos de la corte; El sheriff registra la justicia penal, y así sucesivamente, todo lo que el público exige y está dispuesto a pagar.

El Financiamiento Máximo para nuestros Veteranos del Condado y Héroes de Guerra en la Oficina de Servicios de Veteranos del Condado. Con tantos veteranos de guerra - de WW2, de Corea, de Vietnam, de guerras provisionales; Irak y Afganistán- la necesidad es grande y debemos gastar lo necesario para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestros veteranos y sus familias; Sea cual sea el precio.

Tengo la mente abierta para estudiar la necesidad de una seguridad mínima JURADO DEL CONDADO PUBLICAMENTE Y OPERADO / Prison Camp para los muchos reclusos promedio y ex-cons dispuestos a convertirse en ciudadanos que pagan impuestos respetando la ley de nuevo y recursos para un enfermo mental; Confinamiento Lock-up para procesar en las instituciones adecuadas. Los guardias de la cárcel tienen suficiente trabajo sin cuidar a los locos o los adictos o mentalmente deficiente

Por último: plantearé la cuestión de la legalización de la marihuana recreativa-Legal como tomates- y de los menores- para aumentar los ingresos y atraer a los milenios; Artistas músicos discoteca trabajadores; No conformistas fuera de la caja de empresarios y Otros que quieren vivir en un fiscal conservador social liberal libertad y libertad tipo de ciudad. Estudiantes universitarios solteros y adultos jóvenes. Mi enfoque es un polo opuesto a los esquemas de riverfront del centro de la ciudad, según lo imaginado por GFW y "el grupo habitual de idiotas"

Pregunta 7 respuesta: Pedirle a los ciudadanos y contribuyentes la cantidad de gobierno que quieren y cuánto están dispuestos a pagar por ello, y luego ofrecer esos servicios de la mejor manera asequible y realista posible de una manera fiscalmente sostenible.
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Thursday, November 3, 2016

TOMMY SCHRADER FOR CONGRESS ENDORSEMENTS- gina burgess

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TOMMY SCHRADER FOR CONGRESS UNOFFICIAL CAMPAIGN SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/TommySchraderForCONGRESS/
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INDIANA 3RD DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE
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https://www.facebook.com/GinaMBurgess/posts/10210769141969478
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G-WIRE/B-LINE
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TOMMY SCHRADER FOR CONGRESS UNOFFICIAL CAMPAIGN SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/TommySchraderForCONGRESS/
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Tommy A Schrader (Democrat)
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/TommySchraderForCONGRESS/

Official TWITTER PAGE:
https://twitter.com/TommySchraderFW @TommySchraderFW
JG article: http://www.journalgazette.net/…/Democrat-Schrader-betting-o…

Pepper Snyder (Libertarian)
Campaign website: www.pepperforcongress.com

Jim Banks (Republican)
Campaign website: www.jimbanks.us

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TOMMY SCHRADER
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/Democrat-Schrader-betting-on-himself-15400723
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GINA BURGESS COMMENTARY ON TOMMY SCHRADER:
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So let’s start with the elephant in the room---Tommy Schrader. Personally, I don’t believe him to be qualified for the job, but much of that has been based on my knowing him as of 2011. That was 5 years ago and people change, sometimes for the worse and sometimes for the better. When I took a step back, I had to admit that with very limited resources—he got himself on the ballot---and then with no resources and absolutely no support from anyone---he won his Primary election, fair and square like he did in 2011. The difference---the local political establishment wasn’t going to make the effort to remove him like they did in the 2011 race, especially when they were backing him in 2016 to throw a monkey wrench into the system. Did they use Schrader? Absolutely. Did Schrader use them back. Absolutely. Who was the smarter person there? Schrader---hands down. Like him or not, he deserves credit for using what limited resources he had to get him to where he has gotten.

Schrader doesn’t know how to use technology, which is a common problem among people who struggle with disabilities and are transient, and sometimes homeless. But Schrader knows how to read, knows how to use public resources---the library---and did his best to campaign with no support and a dental-floss budget. He called when he could to find out if people were voting for him. He’s held signs at early voting locations. He even went door to door in some neighborhoods and put himself through the agony of public scrutiny. And let’s be fair here---he has had way more public scrutiny than any other non-presidential candidate in Northeast Indiana.

Where Schrader falls short, however, is that he doesn’t really have his own political platform---or hasn’t used resources to promote his platform. He is genuinely pro-life, pro-gun, pro-beer, pro-porn, and although he is the Democratic candidate, he is pro-Trump. Again, like him or not—that takes some political courage. But when it comes to domestic issues, I don’t know where he stands. For example, on health care reform---I’m pretty sure he is for maintaining “Obamacare,” but I don’t know that he recognizes the problems with Obamacare or if he embraces the “fixes” put forth by either Clinton or Trump.

The last telephone conversation we had, Schrader got impatient with me. He wanted to know who I was voting for and at that particular time, for this particular race, I genuinely didn’t know. I expressed my concern that he may not be qualified enough for this position and upon hearing that, Schrader hung up on me. While that isn’t exactly the way to win a vote, my skin is a little thicker than that---compliments of some of the things I’ve had to deal with behind-the-scenes with certain members of Fort Wayne City Council. But when Schrader hung up on me, he didn’t give me the opportunity to tell him that I was impressed with what seemed to be an unusual clarity about him. It was clear that he was indeed goal-focused and campaign-oriented. It also appeared as though he were on his medications and free of any undue influences of alcohol or other substances. I wanted to hear where he stood on the positions. Sadly, his impatience with my careful deliberation of whom to choose is ultimately what cost him my potential vote. If he loses the Congressional race—and he probably will---I may be more inclined to actually support him in a local election in a few years. If he maintains this new status quo.

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gina burgess commentary:
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UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
3rd District of Indiana

MY ENDORSEMENT: My pick is for Libertarian Pepper Snyder. Honestly, this was a more difficult race to choose from than I had initially thought and my endorsement pick actually ended up surprising even me. I really thought I was going to end up endorsing Jim Banks—whom is a really great guy and someone I personally admire. First—to all three of these candidates, I want to give a special shout and kudos. As a group—you have done the most amazing job of representing what it means to be an American. We have the American military hero; we have the all-American Mom-Next-Door; and we have the “real American” who is living in poverty and struggling to get by. In an unusual and positive twist, all three candidates have reached out to me at some point or other and all three candidates have kept the lines of communication open. I value candidates who are accessible and responsive to their constituents and all three of these candidates surprisingly rose to the top here. These guys really made me work---all three deserved to be on the ballot. Yes, all three.

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THE DUTIES: All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. Historically, the House of Representatives concerns itself more with domestic affairs than foreign matters, especially as it pertains to taxation and other matters of the purse. ““All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives….”— U.S. Constitution, Article I, section 7, clause 1. http://www.let.rug.nl/…/…/powers-of-the-house-and-senate.php

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/government-1991/the-legislative-branch-the-reach-of-congress/powers-of-the-house-and-senate.php

That leaves me with Jim Banks and Pepper Snyder. I have to admit that between the two of them, I was leaning heavily towards Banks. And, honestly, how could I not---he is a great guy. I’ve publically stated that before. In contrast, Pepper’s initial contact with me didn’t give me the same kind of warm and fuzzy feeling that I like to get from a candidate. There was an initial coolness and distance. That coolness and distance she projects is likely to cost her some votes, which is unfortunate. So, what happened? Why am I endorsing the candidate who was cool versus the candidate I personally admire?

It came down to the issues and a little campaign etiquette. Before I discuss the issues, I want to discuss campaign etiquette. While both of these candidates are running strong campaigns---it’s without a doubt that the Banks campaign is visually stronger. Everywhere you turn, there’s a Banks sign. Both candidates have good, solid websites and good, solid social media presences. But there’s where Banks runs into a bit of a problem with me.

There is just too much of his family in his campaign. Yes, Banks is a family man. Yes, his wife stood in for him in the State Senate so he could fulfill his military duties---and my hat is off to both of the Banks for their public service in both the political arena as well as in the military. But to place his three beautiful little girls front-and-center on his website really rubbed me the wrong way. Children are not political pawns and they are not political bait. While I don’t believe Banks intended that message---I also don’t believe he gave thought to his children’s right to privacy nor the fact that he was subjecting his daughters to the eyes of every creep and sexual pervert out there. It also bothered me that he would have his wife and his daughters on public display like that, especially after recorded audio comments of Trump. And I know that such a presentation has nothing to do with his job---but out of honesty, fairness and full disclosure---that just really rubbed me the wrong way. Mrs. Banks is not the one running for office. The little Banks are also not running for office. Mr. Banks is running for office and his image should have taken the prominent front-and-center on his website.

Incidentally, in a related situation, Pepper Snyder called out Banks for “supporting Trump’s comments” – I could find no evidence of Banks verbally stating that he supported Trumps sexually-charged commentary. If you are going to make accusations like that, you’d better provide documentary evidence in support of such an accusation. Failing to do so is a poor reflection on you and your supporters.

So, now we are to the issues. At first I laughed when I saw the issues both are running on---it’s like they are not even in the same race. Later, as I was trying to figure out who to vote for, I wanted to spank them both. They made comparatively researching their positions significantly more difficult than it needed to be. (Btw, the local PBS station should also be spanked for failing to host a Congressional debate this year among these three candidates so that voters would have a way to differentiate between the two.)

On the issues---Banks relies heavily on his military background. For a congressional position—he relied too heavily on his military background: “After being elected to Congress, Jim's first priority for Baer Field and the people of northeast Indiana will be acquiring newer aircraft such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and increasing the number of joint units and missions assigned to Baer Field” And he will seek “a seat on the House Armed Services Committee to closely monitor developments that may impact the 122nd, the Air Guard Base and northeast Indiana's regional defense cluster.” And if he doesn’t get that committee assignment, then what? (As a junior Congressman---it’s not likely that he’ll get his first pick of committee assignments.)

Out of 10 separate issues, 5 of them have to do with military and foreign affairs; 2 of them have to do with religion and morality issues; and the remaining three issues are the most Congressional office oriented: health care, gun control and taxes. Incidentally, after reviewing all the issues it was his stance on three particular issues that caused me to reconsider him as my front runner. Those three issues were health care, veterans and abortion. Essentially, Banks wants to provide for the health care of veterans while eliminating “Obamacare” and forcing women to carry pregnancies to full-term, regardless of the mother’s health or the manner of conception. Banks is so anti-Obamacare that he itemizes what he will do. He is so anti-abortion that he itemizes what he will do. But when it came to veterans---his own military brethren, many of who receive expanded care because of Obamacare and now includes women who could be raped while performing their military tour of duty---he was as vague and as non-descript as he could be. With the House of Representatives focusing more of their time, energy and efforts on the homefront, I just don’t know that Banks is suited for this more domestic position. In sincerity, I think he is better suited for a U.S. Senate position, probably something having to do with the Department of Defense or Foreign Affairs. Domestically, Banks just tanks.

In contrast to the uber- and military-focused Banks, we have Pepper Snyder who is all over the board on issues. She and Banks agree on gun control, namely that there’s this thing called the Second Amendment and that it gives everyone the right to bear arms. But outside of that, there wasn’t a whole lot of topics of mutual discussion.

Her view on corporatism is naïve as are many of her positions having to do with economics, job creation and business. She tries really, REALLY hard to present herself as a business woman, but she fails because---and God bless her for trying---she just isn’t that person. My guess is that was her attempt to try to attract Republicans who don’t like Trump. Honestly, I had to shake my head as I read her take on many social issues. As an act of mercy, I’m not going to go into those issues—except to say it’s really clear that she is a Libertarian working hard to recruit the Democratic vote.

As a campaign strategy, that may be somewhat savvy---she recognizes she needs the numbers and recognizes that many educated Democrats aren’t going to give Schrader much of a chance—especially as local media continues to set the guy up for public scrutiny and public failure. Her pursuit of Democratic votes may also be why she chose to engage in an outdated discussion concerning marriage equality laws (which are currently the law of the land) and probably why she avoided discussions about Obamacare or pro-life rights.

Putting aside her efforts to appeal to Democrats and Republican voters---there were four areas where she did shine and was pretty intensely focused: criminal justice reform, medical cannabis (legalization of marijuana), government spending (a topic Banks avoided all-together, which was a major faux pas given the nature of the House’s control of the nation’s “purse strings”), and her proposal to Audit the Fed.

All four of these position have fiscal consequences and she tackled them from a fiscal perspective. While she may be all over the board and not be an economics major, she has a Ph.D. in common sense. Her criminal justice reforms call for reductions in regulations as they pertain to human behavior---and she rightfully implies that as a nation we have begun to regulate everything whether it needs to be regulated or not. And it’s this over-regulation that is harming our society as different jurisdictions have different laws, regular citizen’s get tripped up in the mess, far too many people are ending up either in prison or in a system short of prison that is highly dependent on a cycle of fines, fees and costs from which some people emerge more harmed than any harm that they allegedly perpetrated in the first place.

Her take on medical cannabis is that it is a natural, non-carcinogenic God-made plant---not a cancer-causing man-made substance like most cigars, cigarettes, pipes, chew, and vapes---and that it in its purest form it has natural healing properties for many diseases and health issues. She is also savvy to note that medicinal cannabis hasn’t been banned because it’s bad for people, but rather it’s been banned because it’s bad for big Pharma profits. To her common-sense, she stopped just short of making it into an agricultural product, which of course it is but that doesn’t bode well for the limited scope that she is trying to get cannabis approved for.

Where Snyder really appealed to me, personally, however was in her pledge to never vote for anything if it increased the federal budget and to audit the Federal Reserve. I was a bit disappointed that she didn’t address the banking matters of Wall Street and never referenced the petrodollar, but her understanding that the Federal Reserve is in need of an audit indicates that domestically, she realizes that there needs to be some changes and that one of those changes is the Federal Reserve. In contrast, Banks is more about preparing for war, keeping our country safe and keeping out those illegal immigrants. By this compare and contrast---Snyder is more suited for the domestic affairs roles associated with the House of Representatives and Banks is more suited for the foreign affairs roles associated with the Senate.

No matter who wins this race---the 3rd District will be well-represented either way. But in the end, for me, it is Snyder for Congress.

THE DUTIES: All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. Historically, the House of Representatives concerns itself more with domestic affairs than foreign matters, especially as it pertains to taxation and other matters of the purse. ““All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives….”— U.S. Constitution, Article I, section 7, clause 1. http://www.let.rug.nl/…/…/powers-of-the-house-and-senate.php

THE CANDIDATES:

Tommy A Schrader (Democrat)
Campaign website: ??????
JG article: http://www.journalgazette.net/…/Democrat-Schrader-betting-o…

Pepper Snyder (Libertarian)
Campaign website: www.pepperforcongress.com

Jim Banks (Republican)
Campaign website: www.jimbanks.us

X-WIRE

Saturday, November 5, 2016

RIGHT TO HUNT & FISH AMENDMENT AKA QUESTION ONE

Gina Burgess with Jeff Bacon.

BURGESS REVIEWS COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

ina Burgess added 2 new photos.

Friday, November 4, 2016

2016 FROST ILLUSTRATED CANDIDATE REVIEW ALLEN COUNTY COUNCIL AT-LARGE

Thursday, November 3, 2016

TOMMY SCHRADER FOR CONGRESS ENDORSEMENTS- gina burgess

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