The first campaign fundraising report for the upcoming mayoral race in Warsaw sheds a few interesting facts.
Two-term incumbent Mayor Joe Thallemer, who said he would not take anything for granted in the campaign, has a huge initial lead, having built up the old “campaign war chest” with $41,657 and $34,047 in cash on hand. according to paperwork filed with the Kosciusko County Clerk’s office.
Republican challenger, City Councilman Ron Shoemaker, who formed an exploratory committee last summer and said he wanted to gauge support through fundraising, reported having $200 on hand, according to the paperwork.
Shoemaker said Thursday the figure is not representative of his fundraising potential because he halted fundraising after some Republicans complained that his efforts were overlapping last year’s campaigns.
Shoemaker said he’s confident he can raise enough money.
“We’ll get our message out there,” Shoemaker said.
And while Thallemer has a robust start, he may well be scrutinized for the amount of money coming from companies who do business with the city. Some call that pay and play, but it is not illegal.
Contributions include $1,000 from Barnes & Thornburg of Indianapolis, $1,000 from Wessler Engineering and $500 from DLZ, an engineering firm.
The other Singleton – Sure, lining up Chris Singleton, Monday’s MLK speaker, sounds kind of easy since he had ties to the Chicago Cubs affiliate in South Bend last summer.
But how organizers came to discover him was more unique.
According to Dr. David Hoffert, Warsaw Community Schools superintendent, he was researching former MLB player Chris Singleton, a broadcaster for ESPN and former MLB regular, whom the YMCA had been trying to arrange to speak at the group’s Good Friday breakfast.
But while Googling that Chris Singleton, he came across a younger Chris Singleton, the minor leaguer whose mother was one of nine gunned down in the Charleston, S.C., church.
“I?had no idea of the impact and the story he had,” Hoffert said. “As we started looking at and researching it more, it came out to be such an incredible story for our community to hear.”
As detailed in Tuesday’s Times-Union, the younger Singleton, 22, has turned tragedy into something positive by becoming an inspirational speaker. His speech before some 600 folks at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center was viewed by some as one of the best in the 31-year history of the MLK tradition in Kosciusko County.
Singleton said afterward that he was unsure if he would be reassigned to South Bend this spring.
Buddha-Judge – South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg might be the longest of long shots as he eyes a presidential run, but that doesn’t mean he’s not making a stir.
The 37-year-old millennial who is a Harvard grad and happens to be an openly gay married man, announced plans to form an exploratory committee earlier this week.
On Wednesday, he appeared on MSNBC’s “All In” with Chris Hayes and took a few jabs at President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence: “At the end of the day, I have more years of government experience than the president of the United States, I?have more executive experience than the vice president and have more military experience than the two of them put together,” he said.
Republicans have taken note, though, quickly blasting the two-term mayor.
Republican National Committee Spokesman Michael Ahrens pointed out that Buttigieg has never held state-level office, he’s widely unknown and suggested he’s the mayor of Indiana’s most dangerous city.
"Before Buttigieg wastes time on a presidential campaign, he should focus on his town's sea of potholes and sky-high crime rate. His bid isn't just bad news for residents, it's more proof that Democrats are about to endure the most crowded, divisive and contentious primary in history," Ahrens said.
The pronunciation of his last name continues to trip up the national media. On the “Morning Joe” show, two guests sounded nervous as they mentioned his last name and another simply referred to him as “Mayor Pete.” For those still struggling with the pronunciation, here’s a simple trick: Just say “Buddha-judge.”
