Dear Editor:

After watching the recent events in Baltimore and Ferguson, Mo.,  as well as the recent events in our own state when it comes to RFRA among other things, it has really got me thinking about the upcoming May 5 primary for Nappanee Mayor and City Council members.

If you listen to the Mayors of Baltimore and Ferguson, it is clear that they love her cities and the citizens within them. It is also clear that they have no idea as to how to run a city, much less a crisis situation. They have lead from their hearts instead of their heads, saying things that sound good and get votes but in reality they hurt the very people they are working for. This is an example of individuals with a business background having no clue about working within city and state government. While both require a strong business presence in order to succeed, the political side if the fence is quite different indeed.

Here in Indiana we had the RFRA mess and quite frankly I think many people in our governor’s own party threw him under the bus, forcing him to make a compromise with the LGBT’ers he knew was no good but felt he had little choice to make. Those that caved lacked the same type of experience in “crisis management” as the Baltimore and Ferguson Mayors. This includes the Mayors of Indianapolis, South Bend, Evansville, and Fort Wayne. All in this group thought they knew better, but as it turns out they just made things worse. Again, no real government background, just a bunch of idealist business executives who stumble when faced with a crisis.

This is why I’m declaring my support for Phil Jenkins for Mayor of Nappanee, as well as Jeff Kitson and Jacob Dermott for re-election of City Council, and Kim Ingle for City Council as well. Phil has been involved in city politics and has worked with our current Mayor Larry Thompson for many years now. Just as Mayor Thompson did so many years ago, Phil has constructed a “20 Year Plan” designed to take Nappanee into a very solid future both economically and socially.

Even though this is Ingle’s first time running for the town council, she has been our clerk-treasurer for many years, having been given high praise for her work from current and past governor’s alike.

Kitson currently has the duel roll of being the head of the city’s Chamber of Commerce as well as someone who continues to work tirelessly for our city as town councilman as well. Nobody works harder than he does to promote and protect our city.

Dermott is a longtime resident who is as devoted to Nappanee as anyone I know.   With experienced people like Kitson, Dermott, and Ingle I think Phil Jenkins will be able to keep Nappanee on solid ground.

I have nothing against Phil’s opponent on a personal level, I just think over the next 20 years we are going to need far more leadership than what I’m seeing from her so far.  Transparency is her main theme, but while that sounds good, her platform reeks of her vast inexperience to what lies ahead and how to deal with it properly.

We need people in charge who are thinking of creative ways to insure our city moves forward with our current and future citizens in mind. We need real leadership from those with experience, not idealist who have no background in local government.

Please keep these thoughts in mind if you live in Nappanee and plan on voting next Tuesday. Remember, experience counts – good intentions only lead to trouble!!

Steve Peach

Nappanee