Watchman Endorsments 2011 Primary

Okay folks, here are the candidates the Watchman has found to be good for your vote.

NOTE: after some new information from the Hankins campaign and related parties, a few editions have been made to the City Council at-large section.

Mayor

Kristen Brown -R

Listening to forums and Q&A sessions, Kristen is the clear winner. She is qualified, she is proven, and she has already served the citizens of Columbus by investigating City finances to understand why they needed to raise taxes and create taxes. Her conclusion, they didn't, unless they wanted to go on a spending spree! Greg Renner never really answered a question. His answers follow a template similar to this

"We are so blessed to live in Columbus [insert why we are blesses]. AS YOUR MAYOR [talk about how you will uphold the importance of this blessing]. Something Something MOVE COLUMBUS FORWARD!"

He's like a parody of a politician, really. If you also have not noticed, Renner Ford on US 31 and Central has Kristen Brown signs. No Renner signs. It's also ridiculous that he runs because he has not EVER been involved in politics. I have never NEVER seen him at a public meeting before this election. To run for the highest seat in the City and not have ever been involved? That's unacceptable when considering another candidate has.

What else is unacceptable is that Greg is everything that the current Mayor is in terms of being anti-critic. Renner said he will stand against the "naysayers" and people who " are not interested nor do the care to see Columbus be the best of the best. Nor are the concerned about the heritage of our great city..." Who are those people? I have never met someone like that, but you going around and insulting the people you want to serve is not the best thing to do in a campaign. I believe Renner gets his cues from current Mayor Armstrong Cortes who used similar language to build a false enemy to attack in his grossly historically innaccurate State of the City Address.

Joe Richardson is not liked by the establishment (as most of the "good ole boys" are backing Greg Renner) or the general people. It is going to suprise everyone if he wins this election. You might notice a LOT of his signs are on Tom Weatherald's properties. So subtract those and Richardson is almost as scarce as White.

I have nothing bad to say about Mark White. He is a good man with good intentions. He has common sense. He just does not have any experience. I hope to see Mark White get more involved, but not as Mayor.


Clerk-Treasurer

Teresa Henderson -R

Luann Welmer would be good, but there is still the matter of those checks she wrote for CDI which were not documented. It's her job to do what the Treasurer says, but there comes a time when right or wrong comes into play. Also, I think a fresh look at the City Clerk-Treasurer's office needs to take effect. Teresa Henderson is totally qualified and realizes the extent and importance of her duties and power should would have as Treasurer.

City Council At-Large

Glen Petri -R
Bob Sullivan -R

Leinhoop and Dutro are in City Hall. They are part of the problem. Aaron Hankins has not been seen or heard from ANYWHERE for these forums or eventshas been seen at two events, that we have heard of. He did not attend his own Republican Ladies League forum (which is where he ought to be in the primary. Sure has a lot of signs out, but he doesn't seem to want to meet the people in mass, just one on one. That's not bad, but it's only part of the equation. And there are still concerns the Watchman has when back in the 2008 Election it was revealed he, his brother Travis, and Travis' Congressional Campaign manager Denny Smith were doing some borderline legal stuff with their campaign finances (namely living off the fund!) were involved in questionable campaign finance practices. Sorry, I do not trust this man, though out his mouth flows what we want to hear, that is probably more of what you will get from him in office.

City Council District 1

Chris Rutan - D

I chose him because he is the only candidate who has addressed the issues that face Columbus residents especially that of the 1st District. The Republican running for this district is not worth the vote. Dascal Bunch does not know the issues (having admitted this in public forum many times.

City Council District 2

Susan Thayer Fye - R

Ryan Brand - R is on the Planning Commission. He approved the sports complex site plan. He did not defend the City of Columbus. He already is serving against your interests. Susan is a landlord so she knows what development looks like. She runs a business so she knows how to actually be fiscally resonsible, like not piling on a 40million dollar debt for our children to pay off!

City Council District 3

Greg Noel -D

Again, the reason I picked Greg is because he has addressed the issues in a common sense way. Dan Spartz -R is not educated on what is going on, and has conflicts of interest (the hospital for one). Frank Jerome-R is most certainly active in City politics, but is a little far out there in left field when it comes to privatization and ambulance services.

City Council District 4

Frank Miller - R

Why not Walden? He seems a to not be informed on what is going on and seems to want to just halt everything because it costs something. This is gathered from different quotes from the paper and at forums. Frank Miller is going to question everything while in office, and I believe will actually communicate with the people instead of have them come to him.

City Council District 5

David Jones -R

Here's a man who is VERY well informed on the process of government and what is currently going on in City government. Here's a man who wants to develop, but do it in a smart and safe way, not like how the city is currently developing in the flood planes/ways and promoting the flooding of our city's residents and businesses!


RECAP!!

Kristen Brown - R Mayor
Teresa Henderson- R Clerk-Treasurer
Glen Petri - R CCAL
Bob Sullivan- R CCAL
Chris Rutan -D CCD1
Susan Fye -R CCD2
Greg Noel -D CCD3
Frank Miller - R CCD4
David Jones -R CCD5

This election is HUGE! it is going to turn out to be a VERY important one for the City of Columbus since the whole of City Hall is being changed out. Please go and vote! The City is counting on you!