A recent article announcing the mayoral candidacy of Ron Shoemaker referenced an "undercurrent of concern" about the present administration in the city of Warsaw. I thought that "undercurrent" was a very apt word because those propelling Ron Shoemaker's candidacy aren't the present political elite, but rather the average citizens whom the present political elite have too often overlooked.
Those on the surface of the city's political world – let's call them "the establishment" for lack of a better word – seem perfectly content with the present administration. That's natural enough. The city establishment has been in power for a very long time and stands the most to benefit by having that power continue. Joe Thallemer is seeking his third straight term as mayor. He was the handpicked successor of Ernie Wiggins, who himself served almost three straight terms. Wiggins was the handpicked successor of Jeff Plank, who was elected to four terms.
These are all good, respected men, and I have nothing against them personally. But so many decades of uninterrupted power can lead to a sort of benign complacency. When politicians go unchallenged, they get comfortable with their own mistakes. Those in the upper echelons of politics may be blind to that complacency, but the average folks in the city are not. The average folks are legitimately concerned about runaway spending, and about rate hikes, and about vanity alley decoration projects that don't seem focused on bettering the lives of all citizens. These voters don't like being told by the establishment and by the media that their concerns are somehow illegitimate.
If the past few years in American politics have taught us anything, it's that sometimes it benefits everyone to have an outsider jump into the fray and shake things up a little. In this coming mayoral election, we'll have the chance to vote for such an outsider in Ron Shoemaker. Ron's no novice when it comes to government, but he looks at things from a vastly different angle than the powers that be. He's a competent manager, a foe of big spending, and a genuinely nice guy. He can bring a fresh perspective to the mayor's office and be an advocate for all the people – including the ones the establishment forgot.
It’s time to change things up. Vote Ron Shoemaker for mayor.
