We hope that today’s “READERS FORUM” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way? 

WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?

Todays“Readers Poll” question is: If the election was held today in the District #1 Vanderburgh County Commission race who would you vote for?

If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us City-CountyObserver@live.com

VANDERBURGH COUNTY JUDGES UNOPPOSED BUT WORTHY OF YOUR VOTE

We feel that its Incumbent upon us to point out that on November 6, 2018, General election ballot are Judicial candidates running for re-election unimposed and are worthy of your complimentary vote.

We are fortunate that Vanderburgh County has several outstanding Judicial candidates that have served our community with honor and integrity that adheres to the letter of the law that are listed on the November general election ballot as unimposed candidates. Each and every Judge listed on the November general ballot are involved in our community, they are not only held in high esteemed by their peers locally but also statewide. Each and every Judge are approachable, intelligent, fair-minded, ethical and are down to earth.

The City Council Observer urges to cast your vote for the following Vanderburgh County Judicial candidates who are running for re-election unopposed.

We urge you to cast your vote for the Honorable Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Judge David D. Kiely who is running unopposed for re-election?  We are glad that he’s unopposed because he has done an outstanding job as the Circuit Court Judge for Vanderburgh County.  We highly recommend that you give him a complimentary vote on election day?

The following Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judges are also running for re-election as unopposed candidates. We also feel that they are also worthy of your complimentary vote because they have also have served us well.

They are the Honorable-Margaret Lloyd (Chief Judge), Honorable-Brett Neimeier, Honorable Robert J. Tornatta, and the Honorable Wayne S. Trockman.

Donnelly Crisscrosses Indiana As He Seeks A Second Term

By Dionte Coleman
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS—On a chilly morning in late October with the moon overhead, U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly stood outside a lead battery acid recycling factory to shake hands with the men and women heading inside for their first shift of the day.

Donnelly understands the importance of trying to appeal to everyone in the state as he campaigns day in and day out across Indiana. He hopes to win more votes and support before the Nov. 6 election through personal contacts like these.

A hard-fought battle is taking place as Donnelly is hoping to be re-elected and defeat challengers Republican Mike Braun and Libertarian Lucy Brenton.

The latest poll shows Braun leading 49-46 percentage points, within the margin of error. Throughout the campaign, polls have shown that the candidates are close as the lead has flip-flopped.

Donnelly has his work cut out for him as the election comes to a close as he faces a strong challenger in Braun. The Jasper Republican has held positions on his local school board and as a member of the Indiana House of Representatives.

Braun and Donnelly both have taken their fair share of shots at each other during this election season through endless television, radio and internet ads. Braun accuses Donnelly of being just another politician trying to keep his job at all costs while the incumbent portrays the challenger as promoting health care and tax policies that hurt average Hoosiers.

Donnelly has represented Indiana in the Senate since 2012 when he beat Republican Richard Mourdock from the Tea Party wing of the GOP. He earned his undergraduate and a law degree from Notre Dame.

His political career began in 1988 when he served on the Indiana State Election Board and later on the Marian High School Board from 1997 to 2001. He moved into national politics in 2006 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the Second District, defeating incumbent Republican Chris Chocola who had beaten him two years earlier.

Donnelly ran unopposed for the Democratic Senate nomination 2012, in part because the expected Republican candidate was expected to be six-term incumbent Richard Lugar, who had been easily re-elected in past years. But Mourdock upset Lugar in the primary and made some controversial comments about abortion and rape during the campaign, clearing the way for Donnelly’s win.

Since first being elected in 2012 Donnelly has been on numerous committees, including armed services, urban affairs, agriculture and the Special Committee on Aging.

Donnelly has said that his goal is and has always been to fairly represent Hoosiers while making life easier for them.

“I’ve had the privilege of representing Hoosiers, and my whole goal in this job has been to make life better for our families,” Donnelly said after speaking at a United Food and Commercial Workers Union training seminar at The Wellington in Fishers in mid-October.

During the seminar, Donnelly stressed the importance of voting.

“So, please make sure that everyone in your shop votes. That everyone in your store votes. Obviously, I hope they all vote for me,” Donnelly said to the laughter of those in attendance.

He noted that in the last mid-term election in 2014, Indiana was last in voter turnout. He wants that to change in this election.

“Last in the United States. That’s not who we are. We love this country. We want to make sure our voice is heard. Your vote is your voice,” Donnelly said at the seminar.

Donnelly hasn’t slowed down as he has attended an event at the Mozel Sanders Foundation, which focuses on feeding the hungry, had lunch with veterans, attended a canvass launch, and greeted workers at RSR-Quemetco Inc. as they went in for the morning shift.

“What’s really important is a chance to meet every voter, to talk to them, to say hello and answer any questions they have. Look, I work for the people of Indiana. I’m the hired help and I’m excited about being here,” Donnelly said early in the morning of Oct 24.

This election is more challenging for Donnelly because his opponent hasn’t made any mistakes, said Andy Downs, director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics.

However, Downs says that  Donnelly’s recent vote against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh probably won’t hurt him because Kavanaugh was approved and many people will likely forget that.

“Either way he would’ve lost supporters, but the no vote was the best move politically,” Downs said.

Downs said he believes that this election will not only come down to undecided voters but also those who support Libertarian candidate, Lucy Brenton. The people who say they support Brenton may change their minds because they realize she has a small chance of winning, Downs explained.

“Among the voters who have made up their mind Donnelly is doing fine,” Downs said.

Donnelly has gotten much of his financial support from individual donors and ActBlue, a nonprofit organization that helps Democrats raise money with fundraising software. The goal of the organization, according to its website, is to “empower small-dollar donors.”

Donnelly has raised a little more than $16 million, with about $1.2 million coming through ActBlue.

“ActBlue works as a conduit, so any donation you make goes directly to the campaign or organization you specify on the contribution form,” said Rae Wright, a customer relations associate for the organization. “Since we are a non-profit, we rely on tips added to the contributions we process, as well as our own fundraising campaigns to bring in income.”

As he enters the final days of the campaign, Donnelly continues to cross the state with his themes of making sure Hoosiers and their families have better paychecks, healthcare, including protections for pre-existing conditions, and their future.

“That’s what I’ve worked on every day,” Donnelly said, “and so that’s what this election is about to me is the chance to keep working on behalf of Hoosiers.”

FOOTNOTE: Dionte Coleman is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

Indiana families are finding it more difficult to find quality childcare for infant and toddlers. CChildcaredeserts are growing in rural areas especially affecting low-income families.

Parents know child care is expensive, but these days expensive takes on a whole new meaning. The average cost of infant care is nearly $15,000 per year.

The Center for American Progress found child care slots are shrinking for Indiana families leaving many with a burden they can no longer bear, and it affects their quality of life.

For Indiana mother Tiffany Taylor finding and paying for child care is a struggle.

“You have to work a whole extra job just to pay for childcare, good childcare,” says Taylor.

While Indiana’s population is growing access to licensed child care for new families is shrinking.

Low-income families in rural areas are affected the most.

“If you don’t have money for daycare, you can’t go to work. If you can’t go to work, you can’t have money for daycare. So it’s just a never ending struggle with kids,” says Taylor.

Programs like the 4C’s of Southern Indiana take time, or a referral.

“They were talking about an 8 month waiting list for their vouchers to help pay for it so unless you have 8 months to wait for a voucher you have to pay out of pocket,” says Taylor.

It’s a cost some families can’t afford.

“If I have to work and pay for day care, I don’t even have enough after day care to pay for my bills.”

An analysis by the Center for American Progress finds the number of children younger than three surpasses the amount of child care slots available for infants and toddlers.

In Indiana, there are more than five infants and toddlers for every licensed child care slot.

Three or more children per provider is classified as a child care desert.

“It is critical that you have the numbers and the ratio right but at the same time it eliminates any of the slots that are available to families and participants,” says Carver Community Organization executive director, David Wagner.

Its’ hard to find a balance in the price of care and quality workers.

“We do develop a waiting list, but we try to help families find services as quickly as they can,” says Wagner.

“Childcare is an economic development issue and it needs to be looked at as that. If you want quality work force then you are going to have to have quality child care.”

That’s why many families like Taylor’s are forced to find alternatives.

“Luckily my rent is low right now so I don’t have to struggle too much, but there are churches who help with programs so I take advantage of those,” says Taylor.

Child care providers say it is critical to enroll children in quality services in their developmental years.

Resources:

4C’s of Southern Indiana

Carver Community Organization

Child Care Aware

Indiana Association for Childcare Resource & Referral

Brighter Futures Indiana

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