By DAVE SCHULTZ
Candidates for the sat-large seats on the Ossian Town Council, the District 1 seat on the Wells County Council, the Zanesville Town Council, and the Ossian Town Council were on hand for the Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum Monday night at the Arts and Visitors Centre.
Another candidate was present, but Colin Andrews — who is the Republican candidate for Wells County prosecutor — took the stage by himself. The incumbent, Democrat Andy Carnall, has apparently withdrawn from the race. That left Rick Johnloz, the forum’s moderator, who was used to calling on one candidate after another, to continually look up at Andrews and repeat, often, “Back to you, Colin.”
The two-hour-plus time was filled with position statements from the several candidates. Each individual was asked to give an opening statement, answer some questions, and make a closing statement, all within rather strict guidelines.
The evening opened with the four candidates for the Ossian Town Council addressing the audience. They were incumbents Josh Barkley and Jeff Kemper and challengers Stephanie Tucker and John Bodner. They all spoke of the challenges involved in handling the town’s growth and maintaining a full-time police department.
Next up with the candidates for the open District 1 seat on the Wells County Council, Democrat Brian Hollingsworth and Republican Brian Lambert. They fielded questions about county spending, including one about balancing the desire to save taxpayers’ money versus spending on needs — particular when that spending can facilitate economic growth. Both men agree that the new county highway garage is a necessity.
Andrews spoke next. He’s currently a deputy prosecutor, and he wants to keep the county a safe place to live. Wells County does have a problem with opioids and with methamphetamine, and he said an Indiana resident is more likely to die of an opioid overdose than in a vehicle crash. “I don’t want to just jail everybody,” he said, adding that when it comes to dealers, “I’m not in favor of therapy.”
The four candidates for the three positions on the Zanesville Town Council were last on the program. Barbara O’Connor, a Democrat, and John Schuhmacher and Jack Blacksten, Republicans, are the incumbents with Republican Issac Zent also running. They discussed the town’s new master plan, which is in the process of being implemented, and also addressed the poor condition of the town’s road and the drainage problems that have caused their problems.
Early voting is now under way, with Election Day being Nov. 8.
daves@news-banner.com
