Starke County Indiana Democratic Party

PENDING

Let experience continue working for you. My 13 years in county government and 10 years of construction experience and private business ownership will be a valuable asset to you as your next Starke County Assessor. I have a keen understanding of building structures, property development, and inventory to utilize in Assessor office functions.

As completing my 8 year term limit as Clerk of the Starke Circuit Court, I have worked closely and diligently with your other elected and appointed officials to maximize efficient use of your tax dollars by securing public grants and reimbursements from state and federal agencies to help relieve the financial burden from the local budget, upgraded the county voting system and polling locations to meet HAVA guidelines and computerized the county court system. I am also on constant lookout of how to re-use something the county already has, as opposed to buying new.

I am a 15 year resident of Starke County and a lifelong resident of northwest Indiana, mother, grandmother, Lutheran and a graduate of Rensselaer schools and Sawyer College of Business.

Your vote will be greatly appreciated and will allow me to continue serving you as your next Starke County Assessor. Rhonda Milner

Douglas Vessely, Chairmen 574-896-5500

fax 574-896-3334

Douglas J. Vessely, Chairmen
301 E. Garden Street
North Judson, IN 46366
574-896-5500 – home
574-806-5500 – cell
574-896-3334 – fax

dougncindyv@earthlink.net

* * * * * * * *

JUDY ALHENIUS, Vice-Chairwomen
6809 S. Shewski Drive
Knox, IN 46534
574-772-2622

* * * * * * * *

Jeff Houston, Treasurer
7 So. Shield Street
Knox, IN 46534
574-772-6441

* * * * * * * *

Shirley Fields, Secretary
7480 South 125 East
North Judson, IN 46366
574-896-5088

Oscar Cowen for Starke County Sheriff

Experience:

10 Yrs.with the Knox City Police Department

16 Yrs.with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department

24 Years with the Knox Fire Department

4 Yrs. Emergency Management Director

Hamlet Police Department

North Judson Police Department

Bass Lake & Koontz Lake Patrol

Training & Certification:

Oct. 1980- Indiana Law Enforcement Academy

Oct. 1980- Indiana Law Enforcement Academy: Vehicle Crash Investigations

1990- D.A.R.E. Program

May 1995- U.S. Dept. of Justice: Gang Crimes Conference

Feb. 1996- Ind.Drug Enforcement Association: Drug Investigation Undercover Operations

Sep. 1996- MAGLOCLEN & LaPorte Police Dept: Death Investigations

Apr. 1997- U.S. Dept. of Justice: Indiana Drug Law Enforcement Conference

Jan. 1997- National Institute for Truth Verification Technician: Voice Stress Testing

Oct. 1997- John E. Reid School for Interviewing and Interrogation

Sep. 2000- Indiana State Police: School for Crime Scene Investigation

Crime Stoppers Coordinator

Nov. 2001- U.S. Dept. of Justice: Anti-Terrorism Resources Conference

Feb. 2002- Auburn University: U.S. Dept. of Justice: WMD Technical Emg. Response Training (COBRA)

Mar. 2003- U.S. Dept. of Justice: Anti-Terrorism Task Force

Apr. 2003- Keeping Our Communities Safe Conference

Nov. 2004- State Emergency Management Association: National Incident Management System

Jan. 2005- National Highway Traffic Safety Admin: DWI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Course

Sep. 2005- Federal Emg.Management Association: Basic Incident Command System for Federal Disaster Workers

Oct. 2005- U.S. Dept. of Justice: Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC)

Political Offices Held:

8 years Advisory Board

1998 to current Starke County Council

Organization Involvement:

Knox Jaycees

Knox Masonic Lodge # 639

Knox Moose Lodge # 809

Bass Lake Lions Club

North Judson Sons of the American Legion

Kankakee Valley F.O.P. # 129

Neighborhood Watch, Bass Lake, Koontz Lake, and San Pierre

Crime Stoppers Coordinator

Knox United Methodist Church

COWEN FOR SHERIFF

“As a lifelong member of this community, I feel that I would serve Starke County to the best of my abilities. I feel that I am a dedicated, loyal and hard working person. I am asking for your consideration into this upcoming 2006 Election.”

Oscar Cowen

Democrat Candidate for Sheriff

Thank You For Your Support!!!

Governor should clarify economic record, numbers

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Democrats today called on Gov. Mitch Daniels to explain his administration’s inconsistencies on the issues of economic development and job growth.

In the past two weeks, administration officials have thrown out at least four different numbers when referring to Indiana’s economy, including two sets of conflicting data in the same report:

The Department of Workforce Development and DWD Commissioner Ron Stiver claimed that Indiana added 19,500 jobs over the past year. (DWD news release, 3/17/2006)

• Betsy Burdick, Director of Cabinet and Agency Affairs, told the Governor that the Indiana Economic Development Corp. has retained 19,500 jobs and created 13,500 jobs. (State Government Performance Report, July-December 2005)
• Secretary of Commerce Mickey Maurer reported to the Governor that the Indiana Economic Development Corp. has retained 47,000 jobs and will create an additional 18,000 jobs. (State Government Performance Report, July-December 2005)
• Gov. Mitch Daniels stated that Indiana has “added 91,000 new jobs since January 2005.” (The Post and Mail, 3/17/2006)

The facts: According to newly revised U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, Indiana added 19,500 jobs between February 2005 and February 2006. Comparing those numbers to national data during the same time period, Indiana ranks 42nd overall for job growth.

During the previous 12 months, from February 2004 to February 2005, Indiana led the Midwest by adding 44,000 jobs.

“The Governor and his aides are all over the map when it comes to jobs numbers because their economic development strategy has flopped,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Dan Parker. “As we’ve learned over the last year, we’re unfortunately dealing with a man who doesn’t mind stretching facts to mitigate his failures.”

Parker called on Daniels to put together a real plan to lure high-paying jobs with good benefits to Indiana. On at least one occasion since taking office, the Governor has publicly supported wage cuts for average employees while corporate executives continued to rake in large bonuses.

The Daniels’ administration has shipped hundreds of millions of dollars to out-of-state companies, and the deal to lease the Indiana Toll Road to private, foreign investors for 75 years is nearly finalized. Additionally, a $1 billion Medicaid contract is expected to be awarded soon to a non-Indiana vendor.

“Instead of fudging the numbers, the Governor needs to start recruiting companies to locate or expand in our great state,” Parker said. “Advocating for low-paying jobs and selling off Indiana piece at a time is not much of a long-term strategy for statewide prosperity.”

For more information: Jennifer Wagner, 317-231-7125 or 317-752-6497

Paid for and authorized by the Indiana Democratic Party, Daniel J. Parker, Chair.

This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.

Change of Heartland on the Boston Globe [March 19, 2006] is an interesting look at the dissatisfaction Hoosiers are feeling toward both the Bush presidency and the Daniels governorship, and suggests that the Democratic party has a good chance of making inroads in the upcoming election. Set in a country restaurant at the intersection of US 6 and US 35 in LaPorte County, the article also mentions the Donnelly campaign’s opportunity to unseat current U.S. Rep. Chocola.

The Starke County Democrats are holding a Ribeye Steak Fry Dinner on Saturday, April 22, 2006 from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Koontz Lake Lion’s Club. The price of the dinner, which includes Salad, baked potato, and bread, is $8.00. Tickets are available from your precinct committeeman or call Doug Vessely, 574-896-5500 [home] – 574-806-5500 [cell], or e-mail Doug at dougncindy@mchsi.com — or call Judy Alhenius at 574-772-2622.

A live band will play for you enjoyment from 3 to 6 PM. Come on out and have a great time. Visit with our 2006 Democrat Candidates. See you There!!

The Starke County Democrat Central Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 6:30 PM at the Knox V.F.W. on US 35. Please plan on attending and urge your neighbors as well. We need all interested Democrats to get involved with your Democrat Party.

A new blog, based in Mishawaka, called Worth Fighting For includes an interesting post about the Joe Donnelly campaign.

The Starke County Election Board will be conducting Voting Machine Demonstrations open to all. The operation of the MicroVote Infinity voting machines remains the same, however, due to Federal Regulations the voter has new options to enhance their voting experience.

Demonstrations will be held at the following locations:

Wednesday, March 15, 2006 5-7 p.m.
North Judson Public Library, 302 Keller Avenue

Thursday, March 16, 2006 5-7 p.m.
Hamlet Town Hall, 10 S Starke Street

Monday, March 20, 2006 5-7 p.m.
Bass Lake Property Owners Association Building, 6996 S. St Rd 10

Wednesday, March 22, 2006 5-7 p.m.
Koontz Lake Fire Station, 7784 N St Rd 23

Friday, March 24, 2006 5-7 p.m.
Victory Christian Church, 2655 S. Range Road

Saturday, March 25, 2006 9-Noon
Knox Community Center, 55 E Lake St.

Monday, March 27, 2006 5-7 p.m.
Bass Lake Lions Club (formerly North Bend Community Center), 4506 S. Prairie St.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 5-7 p.m.
Washington Township Building, 0020 N SR 23

Wednesday, March 29 5-7 p.m.
San Pierre Fire Station, 102 N Fisher St.