The Gary Snyder Show

Jay Rinehart: Confidential Documents Rumored

It is rumored that confidential documentation is being prepared as a preemptive plan to counter next years anticipated dramatic reduced budget.  These rumored but suspected documents contain critical administrative changes that will affect the majority of city and county employees with emphasis on those departments and personnel that directly serve the public on a "front line" basis.

 

The total specifics remain vague, however points of special interest yet to be verified are that the city and county policing departments will begin leasing active patrol units to the assigned officers.  Allowed mileage of course as with most lease programs, will be offered with penalties charged (to the officer) for miles traveled in excess of the contractual agreement.

Democratic Caucus update

A new challenger has surface on the Democratic side.  Former Mayoral Candidate Jim Long, who lost to Mayor Updike in 2007 in a landslide, has submitted his candidacy to challenge Gary L. Snyder(me).  Beth Ochs, Judy Ruble and Andy Krieg are still unopposed for Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. 

Republican Caucus update

The Republican Caucus is less than a week away and things are starting to heat up.  The fight for the GOP top spot is still between Andy Zay and Kris Underwood.  Speculation is Mr. Underwood is the hand-picked candidate of current Chairwoman, Pam Updike.  There is also now a race for Treasurer.  Kendall Mickley has entered the race against long time Updike confidant, Kathy Juillerat.  David Lee is now on board to challenge Tina Stevens.  This is obviously setting up to be a fight between the Updike machine and a group that does not like what the Updikes have don to the Huntington County Republican Party.

Bobby Jindal's Republican response

Jay Rinehart: If it's not broke...

In regards to the situation at the Huntington County Clerks office, I consider Vicki Stoffel to be extremely professional, knowledgeable on all associated subjects, and anxious to help others in any way possible. When I was in the primary election for Mayor, Vicki did everything possible to assure I filed the correct paperwork and completed reports on a timely basis.  Could I have been in better hands?  I sincerely doubt it.

Raking it in!

                                                 

In today's Indianapolis Star, they make available a database of all state employee salaries.  Below is State Rep. Dan Leonard's for last year.  Keep in mind, this does not include the reduced cost of health insurance benefits, the annual $1000/year contribution to a health savings account that vests after 10 years of service, whereas the non-elected employee vests after 15 years.  It also doesn't include a 9.3% pension contribution made by the state.  Oh, one last thing, he voted himself an $11,000 raise for 2009.  This is for a part-time job where the General Assembly was in session 60 days last year.  Not a bad part-time gig?

Name	LEONARD, DANIEL J
Department	Indiana General Assembly
Job Title	House of Representatives
Status
Hire Date
Annual Salary	$40,415
Hourly Wage

Another pay to play for Mayor Steve

                                 

In today's Herald Press , there is a picture of the Mayor, Common Council members and a member of the Bonar Group, among others.  The picture is related to a story of the sewer project the city is about to start.  Again, if you check Mayor Steve's campaign finance reports, the Bonar Group made a $400 contribution to Mayor Steve's re-election campaign.  See a trend here?

Objection lodged for "illegal meeting" by commissioners

Febuary 26, 2009

 

 

Dear Huntington County Commissioners,

 

This is an official objection to a meeting of the Huntingon County Commissioners under IC 5-14-1.5:

 

All official action must be taken in public. "Official action" is defined as receiving information, deliberating, making recommendations, establishing policy, making decisions and/or taking final action. Ind. Code § 5-14-1.5-2(d). Preliminary considerations may be conducted in public so long as the "final action" takes place at a public meeting. See Baker v. Town of Middlebury, 753 N.E.2d 67 (Ind. App. 2001) (town council's compiling rehire list in executive session, which effectively removed town marshal from his office, was lawful, where council subsequently voted to approve the list in a regular meeting that was open to the public, because the council's "final action" consisted of its vote at the public meeting).

Commissioner's meeting now, not advertised to the public

                                

I just received a phone call informing me the Huntington County Commissioners are about to meet to discuss the County CEDIT Plan.  There is a concern about this meeting to discuss public funds when this meeting has not been advertised to the public ahead of time.  I did talk to the Commissioner's office and they are aware of my objection!  Indiana law requires a 48 hour notice be given to the public, even if it is just an "informational meeting."

Mayor Steve update

                                       

I have an update on a couple issues we've been following on Mayor Steve.  As reported earlier this week, Mayor Steve received a $100 disbursement last year from the Dallas Township Trustee Fran Felts.  It turns out the Mayor has a lawn care business on the side and the $100 payment was for spraying weeds growing in a parking lot.  I wonder if this lawn care business has done any work for the city or county?  I'll just leave it at that, for now!

Next up, we reported Peerless Midwest, a consulting company doing work for the city on the new wells and land purchase, gave Mayor Steve a $475 campaign contribution last year.  A question by jfk4 wanted to know if Midwest gave anything to Mayor Steve in 2007.   Jfk4, the answer is yes, they gave Mayor Steve a $400 contribution on 8/29/07.  Draw your own conclusions?

Shame on you Dan Leonard!

                      

Governor Daniel's attempt to close the state children's home was overwhelmingly defeated in the Indiana House yesterday.  The vote on HB 1722 was 80-17.  I have been paying close attention to this bill because my wife and I have been foster parents, and this was truly a victory for Indiana's abused and neglected children.  Unfortunately, State Rep. Dan Leonard was one of the 17 to vote to close the home. 

Andy Zay to challenge for GOP top spot

February 22, 2009

I am writing to inform you of my desire to hold the position of Huntington County Republican Party Chairperson.  I am a life long Republican and a life long resident of Huntington County.  Principled leadership and conservative values are what made America strong and is what I believe will keep the Huntington County Republican Party strong.

Free tickets

I have 2 pairs of tickets to give away for the Haunted Hotel, 13th Floor, running March 13, 14, 20 & 21.  If you would like a pair, send me an email and I will draw the winners next Friday, March 6.  For more information, click on the advertisement on the right.

Democratic Reorganization Day

Just a reminder that the Huntington County Democratic Party will have its reorganization meeting on Saturday, March 7, beginning at 10 a.m.  The reorganization meeting will be held at Democratic Headquarters, 20 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, Indiana.  Current Democratic Chairman, Ken Zuk, has received the following names for office:

Chairman:  Gary L. Snyder

Vice-Chairperson:  Beth Ochs

Treasurer:  Judy Ruble

Secretary:  Andy Krieg

Democratic Chairman

I wanted to take this opportunity to inform everyone, hi Pam and Steve, that I have submitted my name to Ken Zuk to be the next Huntington County Democratic Chairman.  If elected, I  hope to build upon the legacy our current Chairman, Ken Zuk, has built over the past two years.  It is important to not only put forth an agenda that considers all Huntington County residents and not just a select few, but to hold our elected officials accountable.  And while this may make some uncomfortable at times, we must have accountability.  If elected chairman,my prerogative will be to work with our current elected officials who have Huntington's best interest at heart and to support the best people for the job.

Sincerely

Gary L. Snyder