What does it mean to be a leader? A leader is someone who stands up for others, who takes responsibility on his or herself in order to help others, and who is ready to take the blame and share the credit for his or her policies. In Porter County, Indiana, incumbent Democrat Bob Harper is looking to retake his seat as a county commissioner; however, before one can go any further, one important question begs to be answered: Is Bob Harper a real leader? Is a leader someone who costs his county over $600,000 in fines for late taxes? Would a real leader idly sit by and watch as his constituents face financial hardships, all the while sitting upon $8.9 million dollars of unallocated funds earned from the interest of the sale of the hospital? The answer is simple: Bob Harper is not a leader. His policies have impeded the growth of Porter County as a whole and have led to increased financial burdens on its citizens when all along he had the ability (never mind the obligation and responsibility) to help. Porter County deserves a real leader, and fortunately it has one in the form of the Republican nominee for county commissioner, Nancy Adams.
The Issues
The main issue in this local election closely mirrors national sentiment, its all about jobs. Bob Harper and Company have had it there way in Porter County for far too long. Under Harper's (lack of) leadership, Porter County has become a place stagnant in job creation and growth. He has pursued policies that has discouraged reinvestment of the tax payers dollars back into the community. This is not fiscal responsibility, but fiscal stupidity. Nancy Adams is the co-owner of the Valparaiso based business, The Strongbow Inn. Nancy and her husband Russ are the third generation owners of this local staple and have stepped up to the plate of giving back to the community even when the County Commissioners would not. Under Nancy's leadership, The Strongbow Inn was able to open a new coffee shop location, bringing the total number of people they employ to nearly 170 people. Nancy's abilities have been recognized statewide and she has since become the Representative for District One on the Indiana Restaurant Association board which has given her a unique platform to work with state legislatures on issues of job creation and taxation.
The second most important issue in this election is the issue of taxation. The importance of this issue is not new to most voters; however, the impact of this election is increasingly underestimated. As county commissioner, Bob Harper has overseen three years of late tax bills and cost the tax payers $609,149 in fines. In comparison, Nancy Adams has always supported Governor Mitch Daniels' tax cap plan and pressed for lower taxes on porter county residents. As a small business owner Nancy knows how higher taxes on businesses and families can lead to increased financial burdens. In all actuality, Nancy's involvement in politics began in 2008 when the taxes for her business ballooned by 66% after county assessment. She then began to challenge the county on its ability to assess taxes and has since championed this issue.
Nancy has run on the banner of fiscal responsibility, meaning lower taxes and the idea of efficiently reinvesting in the County. She is acutely aware that she will be working with money from the people and will therefore use it for the people. Recently Bob Harper has claimed that he would want to use some of the interest from the sale of the hospital in order to help homeowners; however Nancy Adams immediately called his bluff. In an article from the Northwest Indiana Times, Adams reminded the voters that Harper has had three years to alleviate tax payers burdens or to reinvest it the county. Mrs. Adams then continued with her plan to "use a portion of the $8.9 million to improve the US 6 corridor to encourage growth near the new hospital being built." Her campaign website also highlights her plans to invest in the Porter County Airport and to extend Willow Creek Road all the way to US 30. Nancy Adams represents sound fiscal thought and would protect the tax payers from the lack of leadership Bob Harper has pursued while in office.
A new Leader, a new Vision
The sudden apperance and popularity of Mrs. Nancy Adams has caused the Democrats and their blogosphere to go crazy. The allege that Nancy's mailers have no proof backing them. They claim that while they can't disprove that she has or hasn't done what her mailers highlight, they can't prove she did them either. Well I aks them to please do some research because I pointed out (by referencing where my information came from) a simple internet search can yield some great results. And if Bob Harper and Company really want to get into a fight over mailers, I seem to remember some mailers over the course of this summer that were made to look like they were showing off current endorsements when in reality they were from the 1960's and 70's. (Not exactly honest is it) If they want to play that game, we can play it too.
This November, when the good people of Porter County head to the ballot booth, they should remember just a few things: that Nancy Adams is a smart business woman who's abilities have been recognized statewide and who will bring leadership and a new vision in to the Port County County Commissioners Office.
Later,
Cody
(Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Northwest Indiana Times)
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