Dear Editor,

Throughout this campaign season, I have seen a lot of mud thrown in this commissioner’s race, and it all seems to be thrown at just one candidate.  I must admit, I know Jon Fussle, so I know what he is and what he isn’t.

The truth is that Jon Fussle is a born leader. He is an ideas man, and he is a man who will do what needs to be done. He puts his ideas and votes out there (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and on his website), explains them, and asks for feedback. He even sits down with anyone who is interested to discuss concerns and any county business in a relaxed atmosphere of a coffee shop.

The truth is that Bob Conley is a follower and lacks vision. He takes every opportunity to trash Fussle and every single idea he has from the comfort of his barber shop.

Mr. Fussle is the one setting the talking points for this campaign with the original ideas, while Barber Bob is busy borrowing better ideas from his opponent.

On March 21, 2014, Fussle said he wants “to bring openness and transparency to the office” (in his blog at http://www.jonfussle.com). At the April 10, 2014 Kosciusko County Council meeting, Fussle also proposed live and archived video of the commissioners and council meetings, “In the spirit of a more transparent, open, and responsive county government.” Source: http://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfJonFussle/posts/10152437550230695

After reading that, Conley wrote in The Mail-Journal on April 22, 2014 that “… This would continue to add to our already open and transparent and responsive county government.”

Fussle wants to “… make this county the best place in the world to work, live and play” (Fussle’s closing line in nearly every campaign speech and campaign material dating back to the 2010 race for Commissioner, seen also at http://www.jonfussle.com ).

In the previously referenced Mail-Journal article, Conley closes with, “I want to continue to do my part in keeping Kosciusko County the best place to be in Indiana.”

Those statements are words that Conley has NEVER stated in his previous three campaigns, yet magically, he starts late in his most desperate campaign.

I was present when these two candidates debated each other four years ago, Fussle warned that the day was coming when the orthopedic industry would suffer greatly and that we need to diversify the economy. Conley’s response was that our community relies on two things, corn and orthopedics, and we will be “just fine.”

Jon Fussle has foresight, vision and knows what it takes to be a leader, even if it means going against the angry old men. Meanwhile, Conley boasted at the “Meet the Candidates” event that “… it’s scary how much we [the commissioners] think alike.”

If you want another puppet as an elected official, vote for Conley. If you want someone who will stand up for what is right, who will ask you your opinions and represent you with openness, while pursuing diversity in our economy, vote for Fussle.

Steve Fields
Leesburg