[Southsider2k12]

Underfunded candidates shouldn't let that hold them back. An organized door-to-door campaign is still considered one of the most effective ways to win a local election, and all that takes is lots of time and lots of supporters. There are plenty of ways to campaign on the cheap.

There are plenty of ways to campaign on the cheap, the problem is that supporters usually follow money, and not the other way around. Having seen what being involved in a school board campaign brought out in people was amazing all by itself. There were things done by at least one of the candidates, plus lots of the people who were on the periphery in them that would just blow your mind. I could tell some stories that would blow your mind and change the image you have of some pretty prominent people in the area.

I'll bet the backroom maneuvering going on right now for the Mayor's office alone is scary. With the power, the benefits, and the salary of the mayors office as compared to the school board, I'd put up dollars to doughnuts that lots of promises are being made, and lots of knifes are being stuck in people's backs.

[MichiganCityDDS]

...and maybe lots said tongue in cheeks...

[Michelle]

There were things done by at least one of the candidates, plus lots of the people who were on the periphery in them that would just blow your mind. I could tell some stories that would blow your mind and change the image you have of some pretty prominent people in the area.

Oh? Please continue.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/1...80927040506.txt

Several may vie for next shot at Mayor’s office

Michigan City City Hall. Photo by Matt Field
By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, November 25, 2010 5:13 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — The midterm elections over, several Michigan City politicos are weighing whether to jump into next year’s mayoral race. Mayor Chuck Oberlie hasn’t announced whether he plans to run for a third full term, but a mix of potential challengers have begun testing the city’s political waters.

Former Oberlie electoral foes Joie Winski and Jim LaRocco said they are considering throwing their hats into the ring, as did Common Councilman Ron Meer. Councilman Bob McKee is weighing his options, as well.

Oberlie assistant Cindi Walus said recently that the mayor isn’t ready to announce one way or another.

“There have been no formal meetings where the campaign has been discussed,” she said on Nov. 18. “The mayor and his election committee will have an announcement at the appropriate time.”

*
Walus suggested that now that the midterms are over, speculation about the mayor has begun.

“I think the rumors are floating around because we just finished an election,” she said, adding, “I don’t think it’s anything new that rumors start flying.”

Meer garnered attention recently for his much-publicized fight with his former employer, the Sanitary District, headed by former Oberlie campaign volunteer Al Walus.

Meer claims he was terminated for reporting safety issues at the district to the state. The district settled the lawsuit regarding Meer’s whistle-blower case with the Indiana Department of Labor in an agreement awarding Meer $215.000.

Meer said Wednesday that people are helping him gauge his level of support in the community.

“I have already gotten some feedback from them, which has been optimistic,” he said, adding, “I’ve always said that I would never run for any office unless I had a chance to win.”

Meer, however, said he still may opt to run for his council seat. He’ll decide in the next few weeks, he said.

McKee, 49, said Wednesday he’ll make a decision about a mayoral run by the end of the year.

“The door or window, as it were, is still open,” he said, “but I’m not ready to move any direction at this stage.”

LaRocco, 60, said he’s giving strong consideration to running again. “I’m just going to have to wait and see whose doing what,” he said. “We don’t know what the mayor is doing yet.”

Winski, 60, said she’ll make a decision in the next two weeks.

“I’m investigating the possibility right now,” she said.

Oberlie, who will be 65 in the next primary election, bested Winski in what was essentially a two-person race in 2003, getting 55 percent to her 39 percent. In 2007, with three serious contenders, Oberlie got 51 percent, compared with 27 percent for Winski and 22 percent for LaRocco.

Candidates have until Feb. 18 to file to run in the May 3 primary.

[Southsider2k12]

Oh? Please continue.

The biggest one was Beth Pishkur going into the WIMS sales office the first business day after candidates declared for school board to get me taken off of the radio, then calling back again when she heard I was still doing football to complain. The other big one involves what happened behind the scenes with WIMS telling me they weren't going to broadcast the basketball season for Michigan City, in favor of just Marquette and LaLumeire, and the history of what has gone on there for the past couple of seasons.

[MichiganCityDDS]

Matt Field's story underplays or ignores the relationships between Cindy, Al, and Chuck. Remember the family tree chart from the Parks Dept.? We need to draw up this one.

[UTBMC]

Matt Field's story underplays or ignores the relationships between Cindy, Al, and Chuck. Remember the family tree chart from the Parks Dept.? We need to draw up this one.

Can you describe what you remember about that family tree chart DDS, or what it was? Thanks.

[edgeywood]

Can you describe what you remember about that family tree chart DDS, or what it was? Thanks.

Here's the PDF of the Herald Argus article that appeared with the "family tree" graphic.

[Southsider2k12]

I've been told that announcement #1 is coming Monday morning on WEFM.

[UTBMC]

Here's the PDF of the Herald Argus article that appeared with the "family tree" graphic.

Thanks as I did not remember it being the Parks.

[kharris]

I've been told that announcement #1 is coming Monday morning on your grandfathers radio station.

And it certainly did! Chuck announced he will not seek re-election. It will be interesting to see how quickly the field fills up.

[Southsider2k12]

So I wonder what the mourning period is for an outgoing mayor? I don't think people waited more than a couple of days to start announcing after Rich Daley stepped aside.

[Michelle]

The biggest one was Beth Pishkur going into the WIMS sales office the first business day after candidates declared for school board to get me taken off of the radio, then calling back again when she heard I was still doing football to complain.

Yes, that sounds upsetting. But given the equal opportunity provisions for candidates on the radio, it's not surprising that she objected.

Chuck announced he will not seek re-election. It will be interesting to see how quickly the field fills up.

Quoted for truth.

[Southsider2k12]

Yes, that sounds upsetting. But given the equal opportunity provisions for candidates on the radio, it's not surprising that she objected.

According to Ric at WIMS, she didn't want equal time, She wanted me off of the air.

[lovethiscity]

So I wonder what the mourning period is for an outgoing mayor? I don't think people waited more than a couple of days to start announcing after Rich Daley stepped aside.

I'm in! Vote for me!

[Southsider2k12]

I'm in! Vote for me!

Sweet. I am voting for you, so you already beat Borton.

[lovethiscity]

Sweet. I am voting for you, so you already beat Borton.

Woo Woo, I win everybody else stay home!

[Ang]

Well, I'll stay home then and cast my vote by absentee ballot!

[CaddyRich]

Just to clear things up...

"If nominated, I will not run...if elected, I will not serve."

But if a cushy Parks job opens up, remember your pal CaddyRich, LOL!

[davew]

A political outside maybe, young and aggressive

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dave-Woodson...135641903155856


Dave