RECENT OP-ED ARTICLES SENT TO CCO BY CANDIDATES SEEKING STATE AND LOCAL POLITICAL OFFICES
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
(Attached below is a COLLAGE OF OP-Ed articles that THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER has decided to post without bias, opinion, or editing in order for our readers to get an idea of why local individuals have decided to run for local and state political offices in the upcoming November 8, 2022, General election)
OP-ED: Â VANDERBURGH COUNTY SHERIFF CANDIDATE LIEUTENANT NOAH ROBINSON OFFERS HIS THOUGHTS ON THE UPCOMING ELECTION
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
This nearly two-year journey that I embarked on in January of 2021 has been nothing short of an adventure. Working as a full-time sheriff’s deputy while also campaigning 40 hours a week has been the challenge of a lifetime, both for me and my family. I am proud of what we have accomplished, the team we have assembled, the consensus we have built, and the work we have done.
The role of county sheriff is an immense responsibility, but my nearly 22 years as a sheriff’s deputy have prepared me for the position. Throughout my career, I have strived never to become stagnant or to get comfortable in an assignment. I have pushed myself, obtaining the rank of sergeant, then lieutenant, then major, and finally chief deputy sheriff. At every opportunity, I took on more responsibility, innovated, and improved my competence and knowledge.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY SHERIFF LIEUTENANT NOAH ROBINSON
During My Career At The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, I Was Able To:
- Train dozens of new recruits to become effective sheriff’s deputies
- Modernize our public records web portal
- Add accountability to our Use of Force policy
- Draft dozens of Operating Guidelines
- Streamline our traffic citation system
- Create the first-ever Sheriff’s Office Bicycle Patrol
- Enhance the resources provided to crime victims
- Deepen ties with our Neighborhood Associations
- Improve the safety and security of our public schools, parochial schools, and the University of Southern Indiana
- Design a radio system program for the Sheriff’s Office and Evansville Police Department that promotes communication between all public safety agencies within our County
- Obtain Over A Million Dollars In Grant Funding
The next Sheriff will inherit a whole series of challenges when he takes office. Jail overcrowding, staff shortages, rising levels of violent crime, and concerns about school safety are just some of the high-profile issues the public will expect immediate action on in 2023.
During my first term, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office will tackle tough problems head-on. Together, we will:
Enhance School Safety
- Improve School Safety by increasing the number of specially trained School Resource Deputies present in our county’s public and parochial schools.
- Mentor children and identify students who are having difficulty in order to prevent kids from becoming criminals.
- Advocate for school safety through environmental design and embracing a safety culture.
Focus on Community-Based Crime Prevention
- Re-imagine the way we patrol our community by assigning deputies to individual neighborhoods and business districts.
- Encourage residents to form neighborhood watches and homeowner associations, and then partner with those neighborhoods.
- Prevent, detect, and solve the crime by forming relationships with the residents we serve.
Hold Offenders Accountable
- Assign additional staff to our local federal task forces and go after violent criminals and those who fuel the violence by supplying stolen or illegally purchased firearms.
- Fight for an expanded jail that fully implements an aggressive substance abuse and mental health treatment program.
- Conduct vocational job training and life skills development in the jail in order to prevent younger criminals from becoming career criminals
- Serve delinquent child support warrants, holding negligent parents responsible and preventing youth from falling into a cycle of poverty and criminality.
- Target drug dealers who poison our community with fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine.
- Arrest drunk drivers who selfishly place our families in danger.
Modernize Our Agency
- Ensure our deputies and confinement officers are trained in the most effective law enforcement techniques and procedures, better equipping them to do their jobs.
- Hire only the best and most qualified individuals while improving diversity by recruiting from historically underserved populations.
- Promote trust and transparency by ending the practice of investigating our own in-custody deaths.
The next Sheriff will need to immediately take control of the Office, ensure continuity of our operations, and coordinate with the Council County and Board of Commissioners. I am the only candidate in this race with a track record of accomplishment, the training and qualifications to be sheriff, and a legitimate plan for the future of our agency.
I urge every citizen of Vanderburgh County, the City of Evansville, and the Town of Darmstadt to place public safety over divisive political rhetoric and vote Noah Robinson for Sheriff.
Sincerely,
Noah Robinson
FOOTNOTE: THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER posted this article without opinion, bias, or editing.
When we receive Sheriff Robinson’s Republican opponent’s OP-ED article we will post it without opinion, bias, or editing.
DR. JASON SALSTROM, PH.D. OP-ED ARTICLE
SALSTROM CHARGES THAT INDIANA IS UNDERPERFORMING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Newspapers across the state published James Briggs’ article from the Indianapolis Star “Indiana is a college degree desert and the economy is wilting†in which Briggs cites three recent reports: “Brookings, American Affairs, and Ball State University have each published deep dives with similar findings: Indiana is underperforming the nation by most metrics…â€
This article could not have been better timed for Jason Salstrom, ED D who launched his campaign this week for State Representative District 78. “The root cause of our state falling behind the nation in education, productivity, earnings, wages, etc., is the Statehouse,†said Salstrom. “Their top-down ideology, with power and resources concentrated in Indy, is the problem and preeminent obstacle to Hoosier prosperity in the 21st century.â€
David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly, speaking before the Economic Club of Indiana on April 21, contradicted the Governor and Statehouse’s refrain about the strength of the Hoosier economy. The fact that Eli Lilly is investing billions of dollars in other states, such as Massachusetts and North Carolina, is perhaps the strongest condemnation of the Statehouse’s economic policy.
DR. JASON SALSTROM, PhD
Salstrom has been warning of these trends for years, formulating solutions, and that is why he says he is running for office. “Economic competition has changed in the last 50 years, but the Statehouse does not understand that,†said Salstrom. “If you think that Intel disregarded Indiana and took their $100 billion economic impacts to Ohio because of incentive packages, you are wrong.â€
According to Brookings’ Indiana GPS Project report “State of Renewalâ€, advanced industries, which include 50 industries, including Hoosier automobile manufacturing, aerospace, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas extraction, electric power generation, software, and telecommunications, are “languishing†behind the nation in “competitivenessâ€, falling nearly 40% behind the national average.
“The Statehouse ideology of trying to bribe industry to rescue Indiana with jobs will continue to drive our state into crisis,†said Salstrom. “Changing course effectively and efficiently requires institutionalized regional economic development infrastructure, working for and accountable to the region, coupled with the local control, not Indy control, giving local elected officials the power to respond to challenges and seize opportunities.â€
 Visit the campaign website for additional details about Jason Salstrom by clicking  www.hoosiersforlocalcontrol.com.
FOOTNOTE: Â THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER posted Dr. Jason Salstrom’s, Ph.D. article without opinion. bias or editing.
We invite Dr. Jason Salstrom, Ph.D. opponent of District 77 Â State Representative Tim O’Brien to send us an OP-Ed article explaining why he is seeking re-election. Â We will publish his article without opinion, bias, or editing.
OP-ED: Â WHY I AM RUNNING FOR DISTRICT 76 STATE REPRESENTATIVE SEAT
By Katherine Rybak, J.D., Democratic Candidate for State Representative, District 76
September 30, 2022
 I Want To Help Hoosiers Who Struggle To Make Ends Meet
I worked as an attorney for low-income and elderly clients for forty years. During my years of service, I learned that our legal system tends to kick people when they are down. For example, if you can’t pay your rent, you get evicted and you get a judgment against you for the rent, plus damages, plus attorney fees, plus filing fees, plus 8% interest. A public record is made of your eviction, so you cannot find a new place to live. If you get a job, your old landlord can take 25% of your pay through a garnishment of your wages. If you have enough money in the bank to pay your next month’s rent, your bank account can be frozen and cause you to be unable to pay your rent once again.
Katherine Rybak, J.D
To address this issue, I want to protect more income for workers and limit garnishments to a smaller percentage of wages. I want to increase the amount of money in the bank that is protected from attachment from $450 to $1000.
Most states allow a tenant to repair their home and deduct the cost from the rent after giving the landlord a reasonable time to make repairs. A law to permit repair and deduct would help tenants who rent from out-of-state landlords who neglect their property.
Access to health care improved in Indiana with the passage of the Healthy Indiana Plan. I will vote to preserve and improve access to health care.
I Want To Rein In Monopoly Utility Companies
We need a better balance between the interests of utility companies and ratepayers. Part of the problem with utilities is all the money they contribute to political campaigns for the General Assembly. I will not take money from the utility sector.
The goal of utilities is to maximize profits. It is the job of the IURC and the state legislature to protect ratepayers. My opponent has consistently voted with the utility companies. I propose that we reinstate Energize Indiana and net metering, shift some of the risks of doing business back to the utility companies, have regional representation on the IURC, and elect the Utility Consumer Counselor, who is supposed to represent ratepayers. I will stand with consumers and not with utility companies.
I Want To Restore Reproductive Freedom
The loss of freedom, privacy, and personal autonomy hurts our quality of life. The Republican supermajority has a proven record of taking away freedom, privacy, and personal autonomy. S.E.A. 1 (the abortion ban), which was sponsored by my opponent, will cause Indiana to have more child poverty, more maternal deaths, fewer doctors, and less investment by companies due to a legal environment that is hostile to women and
physicians. My independent opponent promises to eliminate all exceptions to the abortion ban, a policy that will certainly cause more maternal deaths and devastate the lives of many women and girls.
I support legislation to reduce the need for abortions while protecting the health and freedom for women and girls. I want to repeal S.B. 1, the abortion ban; make contraceptives more widely available; improve sex education, and make sure that women have access to a full range of reproductive health care.
 I Want To Help Hoosiers Get Back To Work
I have a plan to help Hoosiers get back to work. First, we need to promote investment in childcare and increase the availability of subsidies for those who cannot afford childcare. Second, we need to modify the garnishment statute. Third, we need to invest wisely in public education and support teachers so that Indiana graduates are prepared for the jobs of the future. Finally, we need to make treatment available for everyone with substance abuse disorders who is trying to get sober.
 I Want To Support Law Enforcement And Public Safety
During the regular 2022 legislative session, representatives of law enforcement provided testimony to our legislators that repealing the requirement for a permit to carry a gun would make their jobs more dangerous and more difficult. Nevertheless, my opponent and the supermajority voted to allow anyone who is not a prohibited person to carry a gun without a permit. I will support legislation that enhances the safety of our first responders and our community.
I worked as a civil legal aid lawyer for forty years prior to my retirement in 2020. I have experience as a nursing home ombudsman and Medicaid advocate. I served on the boards of directors for Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Guardianship Services of Southwestern Indiana, and United Caring Services. I am a volunteer tax preparer, a volunteer guardian, a part-time public defender, and a family mediator.
I want to serve in the Statehouse as an advocate for the people of District 76. Many of my proposals for addressing the real needs of Hoosiers have died in the legislature because the Republican majority refused to give them a hearing. It is time for a change. I would appreciate your vote on November 8th.
FOOTNOTE: Katherine Rybak obtained her B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Boston College and her J.D from Cornell University.
THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER posted Katherine J. Rybak’s, JD article without opinion. bias or editing.
We invite KATHERINE J. RYBAK, J D opponent of District 76 Â State Representative Wendy McNamara to send us an OP-Ed article explaining why she is seeking re-election. Â We will publish her article without opinion, bias, or editing.
OP-ED: Â VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCILMEN JAMES RABEN Cites Leadership and Fiscal Responsibly
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
I am the Republican candidate running for re-election this November for Vanderburgh County Council in District 1.  I have served as the Vanderburgh County Council Finance Chairman for 20+ years and served as President for 4 years. I have a reputation for being fair and fiscally conservative. I have a proven track record of holding down the cost of county government by spending your tax dollars wisely, while still providing all necessary government services and an environment that nurtures economic development and job growth. I am a proud supporter of our law enforcement and have served as the Vanderburgh County Sheriff Liaison for the past 3 Sheriff’s Administrations.
I am a lifelong westside resident of Vanderburgh County. For over 40 years I was a Partner/Operator of Raben Tire Company and was elected to serve on the Tire Industry Association Board of Directors as the Governmental Affairs Chairman of North America. As a 36-year member and Past President of the West Side Nut Club, I was elected to serve on the WSNC Board of Directors from 2011-2021.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES RABEN
I have been married to Judi (Canterbury) Raben for 38 years, and together we are members of St. Joseph Catholic Church. We have two sons, Jordan (35) and Alex (31), and are the proud grandparents of 1 granddaughter and 3 grandsons.
I want to share a few of our most recent accomplishments at the Vanderburgh County Council within the past year:
- The County Council along with the County Commissioners approved a $10 million partnership with AT&T for countywide broadband coverage, paid for by American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to be completed in 2023.
- The County Council approved and funded the County Commissioners’ unprecedented $7 million road re-paving plan to be completed in 2023.
- The County Council approved funding $15.2 million towards jail expansion to address the overcrowding issues and camera systems at the Confinement Center, and $1 million for a mental health wing.
- The County Council approved $4.5 million from American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds for additional court space for Vanderburgh Superior and Circuit Courts. This is necessary to increase the speed of the judicial process, decrease delays in court hearings, and to reduce the jail population.
All of this with no impact on Vanderburgh County taxpayers’ property taxes.
Tough decisions and a sound plan require not only leadership but also a keen understanding of county finances. My many years of experience as Finance Chairman provide me with the financial expertise to help direct the tough decisions, which is critical for the many challenges facing county government today.
I appreciate your vote on Tuesday, November 8th.
FOOTNOTE: Â THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER posted this article without opinion, bias, or editing.
OP-ED: Â Vanderburgh County Could Be Headed Toward Mounting Economic Hardship
By Karen Reising-Democratic Candidate for Vanderburgh County Council, District 1
SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
Speaking at the Economic Club of Indiana, David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly & Co., added his voice to the number of researchers, labor officials, and educators who have been warning Indiana politicians for years of a looming crisis: Residents could face mounting economic hardship due to a mass departure of employers and the failure to compete with other states to attract new business.
Large employers like Eli Lilly are being repelled by Indiana’s lack of educational attainment, inadequate workforce training, and low wages. These companies depend on our government to provide educational opportunities and quality of life amenities to recruit and retain employees.
CANDIDATE FOR THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL SEAT KAREN REISING
A state or local government that won’t prioritize these investments dooms itself to a downward spiral—a complex chain of events that drags the area’s economy down to new lows.
Here locally, the Vanderburgh County Council’s record on such critical funding has too often been inadequate. Responsible for taxing, budgeting, and spending, the County Council is the ultimate decision-maker regarding fiscal affairs; it sets the priorities for the allocation of county funds. So when the County Commissioners propose such initiatives as improving our roadways and sewers, increasing broadband access, expanding the county jail, or raising salaries for law enforcement and staff so they won’t look elsewhere for better-paying jobs, those projects can’t move forward unless the Council approves the funds.
And the fact is, over the decades and under the leadership of my opponent, the Council has consistently underfunded, delayed, or blocked programs essential to Vanderburgh County’s overall health. A recent study undertaken for the Vanderburgh County sheriff’s office estimated that over 70% of our jail population is dealing with mental health and/or substance abuse issues which accounts for our high recidivism rates. Aside from the recent boost in funding provided through the American Rescue Plan, our local treatment programs have been underfunded and understaffed for years, negatively impacting our county both socially and economically. Mental health and substance abuse issues tear families apart and weaken our workforce. Businesses need to be able to count on a robust, healthy, and sustainable talent pipeline to staff their operations; family members need to be able to count on each other. To strengthen our economy, we must first strengthen our families by adequately funding treatment programs designed to address these issues.
My opponent has been the Councilmember for District 1 for thirty-two years and no one has run against him in twelve years, which means that the voters of the west side of the county haven’t had a choice in who represents them. At a time of high levels of public mistrust in the government, we cannot afford to re-elect a politician who ignores important social and health needs, refuses to seek our input or feedback, and consistently delays and defers decisions that would address the problems we’re facing.
I grew up here in Evansville, and the values my family and community taught me have shaped my life. My parents modeled hard work and perseverance, with my dad and his brothers keeping their graphic arts business going for over forty-five years, and my mom spending decades as an R.N. caring for our neighbors at the McCurdy Nursing Home. I graduated from Memorial High School and earned a BA from Indiana University and an MA from Georgetown. I built my own twenty-seven-year career—first with a Washington, DC consulting firm and then with Lucent Technologies, developing new telecom markets in the Middle East. After 9/11, I worked with public safety agencies across the United States to improve their communications networks. My work took me all over the world, and my travels gave me a keen appreciation of our democracy here at home.
I will bring those values and the insights I’ve gained over my career to the County Council to ensure that we have an effective, efficient government that fights for what matters most to the citizens of Vanderburgh County, and the West Side in particular. As your Councilmember, I will prioritize practical solutions and sound fiscal policy while consistently seeking your input and feedback through regular public meetings. I will support investments in infrastructure to modernize roadways, expand broadband access, create jobs, and grow the economy. I’ll push for coordinated law enforcement, mental health, and addiction recovery programs to respond to the current spike in violent crime and support those neighbors struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. And I’ll back residential and commercial solar development to help rein in our rapidly rising energy costs.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. I hope that every eligible voter will turn out to vote because, in a democracy, voters have the power; elected officials simply exercise that power on our behalf. The deadline to register to vote is October 11 and October 12 is the first day of early voting. To register to vote, confirm your registration status, or check deadlines, dates, and rules, visit www.indianavoters.in.gov.
If you live in Vanderburgh County Council District 1, you can vote for new ideas and vision backed by a wide breadth of experience—or you can vote for the same old way of doing things that have us poised to slip further behind. This year, you have a choice.
Sources
Eli Lilly CEO’s comments are foreboding for Indiana – The Daily Reporter – Greenfield Indiana (greenfieldreporter.com
FOOTNOTE: Â THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER posted this article without bias, opinion, or editing.
