The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/656716
A-4 Local Wednesday, March 23, 2016 The Press-Dispatch Hwy. 231 S. Jasper Visit us on the web: www.hopfoutdoor.com E-Mail us at: info@hopfequipment.com (812) 482-9696 (877) 482-9696 On Last Year's Models! Pop a Balloon for up to a $ 500 00 Discount or Reward! POP IN FOR SAVINGS! Spring is in the air at POSH! CHECK US OUT WITH ONE ITEM! 20% Off Excludes First City Silver & Sale Items Style Show April 16 • 10am AT THE HARMONY SOCIETY • TICKETS AVAILABLE AT POSH By James Capozella The annual St. Patrick's Day Democrat dinner was hosted by the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kieffer Hall and catered by 423 Smoke House last Tuesday evening. The fea- tured speakers included John Gregg, David Orentli- cher and Ron Drake. The one hundred or so Democratic Party attend- ees heard Democratic Can- didate for Governor John Gregg touch on several mainstream topics, includ- ing: education, infrastruc- ture and history, before wrapping up with "serving" as governor rather than be- ing governor. The former Indiana House Represen- tative and lifelong resident of Sandborn, Ind., wants to make education "about the children" and eliminate the "skill gap in Indiana." Gregg's take on education includes "learn and earn," which he said was a lot like the "old voc-ed program." The 2016 campaign fol- lows the 2012 run that came up just short of victory in the closest race for that of- fice in 50 years, according to Gregg's website. The 49 to 47 percent vote "ran out of time," according to Gregg, saying it was the first time for a governor to win and "not get 50 percent of the vote." Gregg wants to see Indi- ana prosper with the right jobs and address the "prob- lems for 6.5 million peo- ple first." Gregg remind- ed those in attendance that despite the 4.6 percent In- diana unemployment rate, the state has dropped from "34th in per capita income to 39th." He said we are "fight- ing each other instead of working with one anoth- er." Gregg added he wants to "make Indiana a better place" and finished his ad- dress by asking, "Will you help me? " David Orentlicher, Con- gressional Candidate for the 8th District, addressed the gathering regarding health care, roads, water supply and the need for "first class education." The former three-term member of the Indiana House of Rep- resentatives has practiced both medicine and law, and teaches at the Indiana Uni- versity School of Medicine in Terre Haute, the Indiana University School of Medi- cine in Indianapolis and the Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Winning the nomina- tion would have Orentlicher running against Republican incumbent Larry Bucshon. He stressed the need for "good access to health care, lower payments and a low- er deductible." He said we needed to get voters out and "restore the American dream, with opportunity for all of us" then "everything else follows." Ron Drake, a Sullivan County native with a min- ing background, is looking for the Democratic nomina- tion for the 8th District. He said he was interested in re- structuring student loans and trade bills, and bring- ing back something like the FDR New Deal, which fea- tured the CCC training pro- gram. County Democratic Par- ty Chairperson Cindy Rid- ao welcomed the group, treasurer Twyla Flint gave the invocation and Erika Fulk was the emcee for the evening. A number of coun- ty- and city-elected officials and candidates, including 8th District chairman An- thony Long, were on hand at the well-attended St. Pat- rick's Day dinner event. John Gregg at St. Patrick's Day Democrat dinner Above: Eighth District Dem- ocratic Party Chairman An- thony Long, John Gregg and Pike County Democrat- ic Party Chairper- son Cindy Rid- ao addressed the crowd at the an- nual St. Patrick's Day Dinner this past Tuesday evening. James Capozella photo Left: Erika Fulk served as emcee for the Pike Coun- ty Democratic Party annual St. Patrick's Day din- ner last Tuesday evening. James Ca- pozella photo Ron Drake is an attorney, with farming, teach- ing and mining experience, from Sullivan Coun- ty, running as a candidate for the Democratic 8th district congressional seat. James Capozella photo David Orentlicher, Democratic candidate for congress 8th district, expressed his views to a crowd packed into Sts. Peter and Paul Kiefer Hall this past Tuesday. James Capozella photo