Starke County Indiana Democratic Party

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski gave a speech Monday confirming the FCC’s commitment to an open internet. President Obama acknowledges network access to be a core part of modern life. The Internet is changing our lives in ways unthought of ten years ago. We use it to watch television and movies, purchase music, and make telephone calls. ISPs (Internet Service Providers) provide us with access to this tool. For the past few years, ISPs have tried to change their networks from merely passing data, to charging content providers, such as Youtube or ESPN for preferred access to their customers. Their claim is that some content providers, such as Youtube, put an unreasonable strain on their network, and so should pay for that burden. The FCC and other network neutrality proponents claim that openness is the primary reason the internet is such a force today, and without it, we would be unable to build the next big thing.

Council and Commissioners are looking into a new phone system for Annex, Courthouse, Sheriff Department and Highway Garage. This system cost is $85,000 for all 4 building, both boards are interested in keeping all offices uniform for future use, service and updating

The new system should reduce the monthly phone bill by approximately $2,000 by upgrading and switching over to Digital opposed to the current analog system.

The monthly cost for the new system should be approximately $1,770 assuming the company that the county is in negotiations finances the new phone system at 0% interest for 48 months as they have indicated they would.

According to US Census Bureau estimates, in 2000 (the most recent published data) 12.9% of Starke County residents had no health insurance. With the downturn in the economy it’s likely the problem has worsened. That translates to about 3000 Starke County residents without any health insurance at all; many more are under-insured. Without health care reform, the situation is bound to get even worse.

Here’s a census dataset.

The JJ Dinner is a coming up on October 24. Come join us at the Knox VFW for ribs, a program, and an auction. Happy hour starts at 6:00PM and continues until dinner at 7:00PM. After dinner is a program, and then an auction. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Kenny Wallace at (574) 772 – 4900.

Update: The program is a roast of Nancy Dembowski and Joe Donnelly

As you may have noticed, the website got a new look. That’s not all that’s new, I’ve stepped up to act as primary caretaker of the site. There is now a calendar on the right hand side, we’ll have pictures from upcoming events, and I hope to get more people in on the act. I’ll try to limit visible beating on the site to the evenings, though it’ll probably be a month before that’s something I can actually hold to. A brief synopsis, aka minutes, of the monthly meetings will go up after the meetings.

I’ve lent a hand with the county’s new website, which hopefully will launch this month. I read a lot, mostly sci-fi and fantasy. And I homebrew. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a message and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

The pancake breakfast is coming up on September 27 at the Knox VFW, the price is $5.00 for adults(12 and older), and $3.00 for children. We’ll be there from 7:00AM to 1:00PM and it’s all you can eat, so come hungry.

Here’s a link the the Indiana Democratic Party page on Twitter.

Majority Watch has posted recent polling data showing Democratic challenger Joe Donnelly leading Republican incumbent Chris Chocola in the 2nd District Indiana US Congressional race. The telephone poll conducted on September 8 – 10 showed Donnelly with 52% support and Chocola with 40%.

To check out key races for Congress mouse around on the US map stopping on the white spots. To view the full results click on the white spots or grab the pull down menu ‘select a district’ and click on ‘Indiana District 2′.

The poll also shows that 56% of the voters in the district disapprove of the Bush presidency, and shows Democrats in the lead in three districts around Indiana.

Evelyn Skronski

Frank and I have been married for 43 years. We have 3 children, Theresa, Linda, Thomas and three grandchildren. We both grew up in Starke County and have lived most of our lives in Starke County. We both graduated from North Judson-San Pierre High School. Our children also attended and graduated from North Judson-San Pierre High School.

While Frank served in the U.S. Navy and attended college I worked in the accounting departments of private industry.

We also lived in the suburbs of Chicago where Frank taught school. As the story goes, once you have gotten your feet wet in the Bogus you never forget. The pull of hometown North Judson became too great and we moved back to the area and have gotten our feet wet in Starke County in many different ways and places.

While Frank was continuing his education I also enrolled in accounting classes. I have also been enrolled at Ancilla College where I worked toward earning an Associates Degree.

I have served the youth of our county as 4-H leader, Girl Scout leader, church youth leader and school volunteer.

My work experience includes accounting, bookkeeping, budget management, library branch manager, deputy clerk and more.

*15 years as Deputy Clerk
*11 years as San Pierre Library Branch Manager
*Small business owner
*4-H, Girl Scout, church youth leader
*Community volunteer
*Member of Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church
*Dedicated wife, mother and grandmother
*Husband, Frank, taught science at Knox High School for 32 years

EVELYN’S PLAN FOR STARKE COUNTY
1. Use my 15 years of experience in the Starke County Clerk’s Office to run and improve the efficiency of the office for the benefit of all.

2. Provide creative thoughtful solutions for the concerns of the citizens of Starke County.

3. Continue to work with local, county, district and state officials for the betterment of Starke County.

MY GRATITUDE TO EVERYONE WHO OFFERED ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE VOTE ON NOVEMBER 7TH.

The Chicago Tribune ran an story about Indiana’s nationally important Congressional races: 3 Indiana races represent worry for GOP, including the Donnelly race.