The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/60505
A-6 Wednesday, March 7, 2012 The Press-Dispatch Kerry Aldridge announces candidacy for at-large county council Kerry Aldridge announced he is seeking the Democrat nomination for at-large county council. He is a lifetime resident of Pike County. "I was raised in Winslow and currently live in Petersburg," said Aldridge. He is a graduate of Pike Cen- tral High School in 1998 and then went to the University of South- ern Indiana and on to Oklahoma Law School. "After graduating and passing the bar, I came back to my hometown with the hopes of mak- ing a difference in the practice of law locally. I am a local attorney in Petersburg. My practice consists of criminal defense and family law. He is engaged to Rachel, who also graduated from Pike Cen- tral in 1999. "We met in high school and have been together ev- er since. We have a 13-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, who also at- tends Pike Central Middle School and is a member of Stacey's Studio of Dance Team, a middle school cheerleader and middle school dance team. "I am running for Democratic County Council at Large for many reasons, a few of which I will ex- plain. I truly believe that if you are a member of the local government, your job as a local representative is to promote the best interests of the Citizens of Pike County, not just a select few." "Decisions should be based on what is best for the people of Pike County as a whole. Too many peo- ple involved in government are on- ly looking out for themselves, not the citizens they represent. As county council member, the local budget is the main concern. I have noticed lately, that there is a lack of control over expenditures com- ing from the local budget." "Recently, there has been large budgetary expenses that do not benefit the entire county. I am sure that as a citizen of Pike Coun- ty, if you live on a county road, you have heard at one time or anoth- er that there is not enough in the budget to make proper repairs to the roads. It seems to me that members of local gover n - ment like to tel l the citi- zens of Pike, 'we will get to it next y e a r . ' Well, this is because the budget is being used on unnecessary ex- penditures that benefits a select few." Kerry Aldridge "I am running for County Coun- cil because I believe if you do not agree with an budgetary expense, you state it. Council members should not express disapproval of an item, only to turn around and vote for it because the rest of the council is approving it. I want to be a 'voice for the people of Pike County.'" "Budgetary expenditures must represent and benefit everyone in Pike County. I look forward to meeting more of you in the near future. It is time to get the bud- get and spending under control. I appreciate your vote in the May 8 primary election. Thank you for your time and interest." Baumgart announces candidacy for County Commissioner District 3 Charles (Chuck) Baumgart of the Arthur area has announced his candidacy for County Commis- sioner in District 3. He resides at 1108 East County Road 550 South, Winslow. Baumgart says his main focus will be on economic devel- opment. Baumgart is a 1986 Graduate of Pike Central High School. After graduation he moved to Washing- ton, DC where he joined the DC Metropolitan Police Department. He retired from the DC police force in 2007 having obtained the rank of Detective Sergeant where he supervised the paternity war- rant division, was a certified fire and arson investigator, and served on a joint arson squad with the Bu- reau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire- arms. Moving back to Pike County upon his DC retirement, he start- ed Baumgart Farms in Monroe Township. He still actively farms and has also ventured back into police work, being appointed Pe- tersburg Police Chief in 2009. "I feel my career in law enforcement has trained me to communicate with all types of people in all types of situations, and that is a very use- ful skill as a Commissioner," said Baumgart. Baumgart is optimistic about the future of Pike County. "I see the same talent and opportunities in our county that have led to suc- cess in other counties. We have the tools that we need to succeed, we just need to open that toolbox and put them to work. We must grow to survive the times. I ful- ly understand as the father of two, that we have a duty to our children to create jobs. This also means taking advantage of some great programs in our school system to help our younger generation suc- ceed here and help Pike County grow itself." In addition to cultivating suc- cess, he emphasizes the need to roll out the welcome mat to outside investment. "We need businesses to build in Pike County to provide jobs for our residents and to at- tract future residents. We have to make ourselves attractive through shovel ready projects and incen- tives. I-69 is a good start by con- necting Pike County to the rest of the country. It's here now, so we must use it to our benefit. Our rail- road network is also a major sell- ing point." "My experience as a self-em- ployed farmer and his career as a supervisor and city department head, gives me a solid understand- ing of real world finances and gov- ernmental budgeting." He expressed his ability to meet challenges while being fis- cally conservative and responsi- ble. "During my first full year as Petersburg Police Chief I was able to reduce our annual overtime by over $8,000. Today we operate more efficiently, have dramatical- ly improved customer service, and provided the officers with better equipment. We do all of this with a budget that is $17,000 less than it was in 2008." Baumgart said, these creden- tials will also allow him to work with the departments supervised by the Commissioners and the other county office holders. "Our County department heads were hired to lead their teams and en- sure citizens get the best service for their money. As Commissioner I will ensure this happens through leadership rather than micro-man- aging. Our meetings should focus on decisions and policy that makes us stand out as an example of good local government rather than a shouting match about where the rock trucks are going. He contin- ued, "We now focus on districts rather than on county issues. Our districts are important, and I will always fight to represent the inter- ests of the south end of the coun- ty. But keep in mind that all three commissioners are elected by the county as a whole. I know roads are important and always will be with rural residents. So let's work together to bring in the new busi- ness that will generate the much needed revenue to help with road improvement." Baumgart has already been in- volved at the county level as an appointee to the Sheriff's Depart- ment Merit Board. He also sits on the Pike County Child Protection Team and is a member of the Indi- ana Department of Homeland Se- curity District 10 task force. Hartke seeking Democrat nomination for Commissioner District 3 Brandon Hartke announced he is seeking the Democrat nomina- tion for County Commissioner Dis- trict 3. "I am a life time resident of Pike County. I have a wife, Hei- di and two children Avrie and Car- son," said Hartke, a 1999 graduate of Pike Central. He holds an associate's degree in applied science in Boilermaker Technology from Ivy Tech and is a member of Union Boilermaker Lo- cal 374. "I have been to Washing- ton, D.C. as a representative for my union to campaign for the 'Build American Buy American' policies. I have also been to the State Cap- itol several times in the last two years to stand by teachers, fire fighters, and all my union brothers and sisters as our state leadership has tried to strip our collective bar- gaining rights," said Hartke. "I will bring a positive attitude to the Board of Commissioners. I want to find long term solutions to our county's infrastructure and our emergency management ser- vices. I would like to get back to working for the betterment of this county and to make sure that all demographics are taken care of. The choices that lie ahead of this county will be some of the hard- est choices we as a county will ev- er have to make, and at the same time some of the most important. It is time to make those choices. It is time to move forward." Hartke added, "I want my chil- dren's generation to see that com- promise can work, the same way that my father taught me. I want them to see that two men can de- bate their point, pick the best so- lution and shake hands at the end of the night. I want our children to see that nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes, but it is how we react to those mistakes that real- ly matters. Most importantly, I do not want our children to have to fix problems that we refused to do anything about." "I promise to treat everyone in this county with respect, not be- cause you voted for me or because of where you live, but because that is the only way we as a county can progress. I would like to see Pike County come together as a com- munity to help ourselves and to better one another. "With your support we can make the State of Indiana's first county, second to none." Brandon Hartke with his wife Heidi and their children Av- arie and Carson. Incumbent, Nalley seeking fourth term for Commissioner District 3 Dale Nalley announced he is running for his fourth term as Commissioner in District 3. "I am very appreciative for your past support and I ask that you will continue to have faith in me to represent District 3 again in the future. I feel that the past 11 years have been very produc- tive and I have many more pos- itive goals set for Pike County," said Nalley. "I am a lifelong citizen of Pike County and a member of Bethel General Baptist Church," said Nalley. He and his wife of 33 years, Martha, have a daugh- ter Lindsay. "I own and oper- ate my own excavating busi- ness that I started 27 years ago. I have a lot of experience building roads, culverts, lakes, dry dams, and solving drain- age problems. This experience Farmers Market Boot Camp set for March 12 Purdue Extension—War- rick County is hosting a Farmers Market Boot Camp series this spring. If you have any interest in participating or volunteering with any lo- cal Farmer's Market, you are encouraged to attend this two-part educational series Purple ribbon pageant is April 28 Applications are being ac- cepted for the Purple Rib- bon Pageant on April 28. Age groups are: Boys—0-1, 2-3, and 4-5; Girls—0-12 months, 13-24 months, 25- 36 months, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, and 16-19 years. For more information con- tact Shawn Wiscaver at 354- 4271. Session 1 will be March 22, 2012 and will go over safety plans and liability is- sues associated with Farm- ers Markets. Session 2 will be April 19, 2012 and will address vendor relations and how to encour- age community members to become involved. Each session will last from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT and will be in the Homemak- ers Building at the Warrick County Fairgrounds in Boon- ville. Pre-registration is re- quired by March 15 for the Getting a Tax Refund? News.... GET FIT USE IT TO Apply your tax refund toward a membership to THE ZONE! CONGRATULATIONS to our team of Biggest Losers We've been giving it to Pike County and the surrounding counties for a long time, why not share what news you have with others? 354-8500 for Weeks 2 & 3: Fearless Foursome 24-HOUR ACCESS TO FITNESS CENTER WITH KEY MEMBERSHIP 24-HOUR ACCESS TO FITN the T ESS CENTE 604 East Illinois St., Petersburg (near the Little League Park) 354-1303 Fitness Center Hours: Mon - Thurs 10–8 Fri 10–7 • Sat 10–2 • Closed Sunday March 22 session and April 12 for the April 19 session. Lunch is provided both days and the program fee is $15 per session. Send checks payable to Purdue Exten- sion-Warrick County 107 W Locust St., Suite 111 Boon- ville, IN 47601. TANNING SPECIAL MARCH "ANY BED" MONTHLY TANNING PACKAGE regularly $36 $6 OFF Gift Certifi cates Available Supplements on SALE Now Select serves as a great background to help me know how to cor- rect road issues in Pike County. Your support and vote May 8, 2012 will be greatly appreci- ated!"