I suppose it won’t come as any surprise to anyone here in Whitehall but, I just wanted to take a moment to let the community know, for the other three Council Ward races in Whitehall, I am proud to endorse Brian McCann for Ward 2, Mike Adkins for Ward 3 and Write-in candidate for Ward 4, Tracey Heise.

Brian McCann, I have only gotten to know this year but have found him to be a level-headed, good man. We have discussed a variety of topics and while we disagree from time to time, like me, he is also concerned with some of what he sees on the council dais. When called to take a stand to fight for an independent Legislative branch that represents the citizens and not the Executive branch, he answered that call. A longtime Whitehall resident and family man, he has committed to keeping an independent voice on council, beholding to no one other than the citizens and his own abilities to consider matters with no biases clouding his judgements. I believe Brian’s independent spirit on council will help bring Whitehall’s representative government back into the hands of the people, those whom we’re supposed to be serving.

Mike Adkins, I’ve known a few years. While not friends, we are acquaintances. We have spoken on a few occasions and respect each others separate roles we hold within the city. Mike may have served this community much longer than myself but in different capacities. He has served on Boards and Commissions and takes civic duty seriously. He is definitely of the ‘old school’ when civic-duty was simply a part of a citizen’s life living in a community. A Whitehall native, I know he grew up on Broadhurst Drive (where our parents may have overlapped slightly in the early 60’s as neighbors). I knew his father Ray who I spoke with numerous times as I campaigned in various years. He was a good man and harkened back to that group of old school civic-minded Dads we both grew up with. Mike is also alarmed at what he’s seeing in Whitehall and so too, wants to bring independence to the seat when elected.

Tracey Heise, I’ve met a couple times over the years, usually saw her at events or crises in the city working traffic or crowd control due to her longtime work with the Whitehall Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, which, I believe, she is now the president of. Like Brian and Mike, she saw the issues going on in Whitehall government (and is one of the outspoken citizens who would be directly affected by the Fairway Cliffs project) and, after Councilor Lori Elmore and the City of Whitehall’s successful efforts to challenge Holly Stein’s candidacy against the mayorally-appointed Devin Brown, stepped forward to not only give the Ward 4 citizens a choice in their election (unlike ‘Team Forward Together’ who loves to just walk into a seat, either through manipulation or serendipitously grasping at office) but to also offer yet another civic and independent-minded critical thinker working in the people’s interest. For that, I endorse Tracey wholeheartedly.

WHY I’M ENDORSING THE THREE

I know the three of them are all level-headed and fair-minded people who will serve fairly and independently. Instead of relying on bias to the mayor (SO easy, SO wrong) they’ll use critical-thinking for decision-making and pledge to work for the people’s interests, whether that happens to align with the mayor’s plans and visions…or doesn’t. Without that political bias then, they are free to argue solely on legislation’s merits without those biases clouding that argument, considering legislation with the critical thinking and independence required to decide if something is good or bad, right or wrong for the city and the people they serve without adherence and fealty to a political benefactor. This is VITAL, VITAL, VITAL for a strong and healthfully productive government of, by and for the people.

Here is why this is vital:
a) When you have a team, your dedication and allegiance is to ‘the team’ where there is a ‘team leader’, in this case, Micheal Bivens. When one is a part of a ‘team’ you don’t stray away or ‘against’ the team. Imagine an OSU Buckeye player NOT doing what Coach Daye wants? What player would ever ‘go rogue’ to do what HE wants? Its unheard of and could ruin the team’s chances of ‘winning’! Of course, team sports are not government and what may work or is important in sports, doesn’t belong in the people’s government. The people’s government is supposed to be an exercise in collaboration from many different people from all walks of life (called ‘Americans’) in separate but equal branches of government. As Americans or Whitehallians, we’re supposed to transcend our differences and work together for the good of the whole and NOT just one, where no ONE is the omnipotent ruler. So then, this is why things like fair-play and reason-ability and civil argument are important and come into play within our government, those attributes which sadly get scorched and kicked aside in favor of ‘the team’s’ success (bias to the leader).
b) One can work together for the good of the people (like I believe myself, Brian, Mike and Tracey would) but not have allegiance to each other or any one person, aka, a leader. Therefore, while I endorse these three candidates for council, my demand of them (or anyone who serves on council) is to dedicate their allegiance to the citizens they represent and NOT a ‘leader’. (bias to the people) Those people who elected them and for whom they represent.
c) I would never want to be a part of a ‘team’ when it comes to government. I expect and hope that, if elected, we will naturally disagree and even vote differently from time to time if that’s the way it works out but, at least we’ll know its because of the integrity of our independence that we’re doing the right thing for the right reason and not because we bent a knee.

“Somewhere along the way, someone is going

to tell you: ‘There is no “I” in team.’ ‘Maybe

not, but there is an “I” in independence,

individuality, and integrity.“-George Carlin

Finally then, among myself, Brian, Mike and Tracey, we all belong to various political parties. Unlike some in these races (I see you Micole Spicer!), I respect our non-partisan designation and so make a conscious effort not to reveal them during the campaign, particularly at such a divisive time in our country (…a nation divided cannot stand…) So, while being from different Parties we may fundamentally disagree and/or argue points, ALL of us are dedicated to keeping an independent mind and commitment working for the people. That then is at the base of my endorsement of these candidates.

Thank you.