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> More canditates for City offices announced
Southsider2k12
post Feb 20 2007, 10:59 AM
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http://www.michigancityin.com/articles/200.../20/news/n5.txt

QUOTE
Growing number of candidates files for election

By Jason Miller

The News-Dispatch

With the end of filing three days away, indications are Michigan City will continue to have many Democratic candidates and few Republicans.

“It's nice to see someone get involved up there,” outgoing LaPorte County Republican Chairman Dave Pendergast said Monday after hearing Republican Keith Harris had filed to run for the 2nd Ward seat in Michigan City, a position held by City Councilman Paul Przybylinski and a seat that has drawn a Democratic newcomer. “We'd certainly welcome any others that want to make Michigan City a two-party system.”

With the filing period for the May 8 primary election slated to end at noon Friday, Harris is the only Republican who has filed to run in Michigan City municipal races.

Seventeen Democrats have filed and more are likely to register before Friday's deadline.

All nine members of the current City Council are Democrats, as are the city clerk and the mayor, all holding seats that are coming open this year.

The last time Michigan City claimed a Republican on the City Council was in the 1980s and 90s, when Beryle Burgwald and Randy Miller were in office. Miller, a 4th-Ward councilman, was the last elected Republican in Michigan City. He last lost in 1995 when he gave up his 4th-Ward seat to run at-large.

He served as the city's last Republican mayor in the 1970s.

Burgwald served four terms as 5th-Ward city councilman before serving two terms on the LaPorte County Council.

By Monday, incumbent City Council members Evelyn Baker, at-large; Willie Milsap, 5th Ward; Pat Boy, 4th Ward; Ron Meer, 3rd Ward; Joe Doyle, at-large; and Phil Jankowski, 6th Ward, had filed.

Current Michigan City Park Board President Bob McKee filed to run as a Democrat for an at-large seat, while Tom Thomas, a Democrat, filed for a run against Jankowski.

Democrat Rodney Washington has filed for an at-large run, as has West Side resident Tony Childers. Lynne Kaser, a Democrat, will seek the 1st Ward seat currently held by Chuck Lungren, and Marc Espar, Democrat, will vie for the 2nd Ward seat held by Przybylinski.

Przybylinski hasn't yet filed, nor have current at-large councilwoman Virginia Martin or Lungren. Przybylinski is likely to file for the race by Friday, amid rumors he's contemplating a mayoral run. He hasn't been available for comment.

Sitting Democratic Mayor Chuck Oberlie will face competition in May from Jim LaRocco, a Democrat and son of former mayor and city councilman, the late Joe LaRocco.

Incumbent City Clerk and Democrat Tom Fedder will look to retain his seat against Democrats Mike Dempsey and Johnny Stimley.

Pendergast, who is leaving his post at the end of February, said Monday that running for office in Michigan City as anything other than a Democrat can be a harrowing experience.

“It isn't for a lack of trying,” he said not only about a lack of Republican officeholders, but a lack of candidates, as well. “It's difficult to put yourself on a ticket when you know you have little chance of winning.

“But it's very, very important to have a two-party system in Michigan City and right now, we don't have that.”

In LaPorte, sitting GOP Mayor Leigh Morris is likely to face off with a familiar opponent in May. Former Democratic LaPorte Mayor Kathy Chroback has filed to run for the seat she lost to Morris.

No other candidates had filed for the LaPorte mayoral race as of Monday.

Only one incumbent had filed for re-election to the LaPorte City Council as of Monday, and that candidate is running for a different seat. According to the LaPorte County clerk's office, 3rd Ward GOP councilman Tim Stabosz announced he'll run for an at-large seat.

Republican Donald Heichel II, and Democrat Bill Proud, have both filed to run for the 3rd Ward seat. Democrats Sherrie Hammons and Kyleen Fuller have filed to run for at-large seats, as have Democrat A.C. Pressler, Republican Fran Milo and Democrat Gautama “Goot” Logwood.

Incumbent Republican LaPorte Clerk-Treasurer Teresa Ludlow has filed to keep her seat.

Contact reporter Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.

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