Poli (Sigh): Did The Fair Board Provide Free Use Of Shrine Building To Shoemaker?
Numerous people who watched the Warsaw mayoral race last year wondered out loud about the close connection between Republican challenger Ron Shoemaker and the Kosciusko County Fair Board since some fair board members seemed to be supporting Shoemaker and adamantly against incumbent Mayor Joe Thallemer.
The fair board scheduled two events at the Shrine Building during the campaign. One was the alternative debate event that Shoemaker hosted after he balked at the idea of facing Thallemer in a debate at Lakeview Middle School that same night. Another event, a meet-and-greet for Shoemaker, was scheduled for the fairgrounds but moved hours before to an apartment complex office where Shoemaker lives, with no explanation.
Based on Shoemaker’s campaign report, it appears the fairgrounds provided the Shrine Building free of charge since it was not listed on Shoemaker’s campaign finance report.
That apparent gift could be viewed as a violation of fair bylaws that prohibit the entity from becoming involved in politics.
Shoemaker cast himself as a supporter of the fairgrounds, which was (and continues to be embroiled) in a lawsuit attempting to revive motorsports at the fairgrounds despite a longtime agreement against it. Many of the racetrack supporters demonized Thallemer, suggesting (without any evidence) that he was directly involved in seeking to re-establish the racing ban.
The fair board’s treasurer, Sheal Dirck, said Friday he paid the fee himself for the rental even though it is not listed on the campaign report. Asked how much, Dirck said he thinks the rental fee, with his personal discount, was about $50.
“The fairgrounds did not donate anything,” Dirck said. “The space was rented one way or the other.”
Shoemaker could not be reached for comment Friday.
Thallemer was asked about the lack of a mention in the report, too. “It speaks for itself,” he said.
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FUTURE RUN? – Chapman Lake Republican Kristi Ormsby, who helped run the campaign of now-retiring State Rep. Dave Wolkins two years ago, will be working to support State Sen. Ryan Mishler’s campaign in the fall. Ormsby kicked around the idea of running for Wolkins’ seat and eventually declined. But that doesn’t mean she won’t consider running in the future.
Ormsby summed up her thoughts this way on Facebook: “Many friends and family have expressed concern about me not taking advantage of a tremendous “no brainer” opportunity that came my way this year. The last 2 years since my dad passed have been full of personal growth. But sometimes a tree grows too fast and the roots can’t keep up – so you have to chop off the top to let the roots catch up. That’s where I’m at right now in my life. When the time is right, I’ll know it. Be patient, folks.”
For a second consecutive year, Ormsby is working in government affairs during the legislative session, a job that involves tracking bills, attending committee hearings and working with lawmakers. That’s about as good of a training ground one could have for somebody who has an eye on being a future lawmaker.
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ENDORSEMENT? – Speaking of Wolkins … he hasn’t issued a firm endorsement in the District 18 race yet. The outgoing lawmaker said he will likely issue one in the coming weeks. The legislative session is apparently moving ahead of schedule and will be over in less than two weeks. That provides plenty of time to contemplate an endorsement before May 5 rolls around.
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MEET THE CANDIDATE – District 18 Republican candidate Craig Snow will host a “community coffee chat” at 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, at the Winona Heritage Room in Winona Lake. Snow, a Republican, is one of three candidates seeking the seat. The others are Republican Russ Reahard and Democrat Chad Harris, both of Wabash.
If you are a candidate and plan to host a public event, please email me and we’ll publicize it.
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OTHER EVENTS – Other campaign stuff:
- Democrat Pat Hackett, running again for the 2nd Congressional District seat held by Rep. Jackie Walorski, will host an open house at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22, for her campaign headquarters, 402 W. Washington St., South Bend. She’ll then host a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the Elkhart Public Library.
- State Senate candidate Brandon Cavanaugh, of Warsaw, will kick off his campaign at 6 p.m. Thursday with an event at the Shrine Building in Warsaw. It’s an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner.
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SOUDER’S TAKE – Former Indiana Congressman Mark Souder had an interesting assessment of how the presidential race is shaping up.
As Sen. Bernie Sanders begins to solidify his lead for the Democrat nomination, Souder agrees with many that Sanders would be a weak matchup for President Trump in the general election, suggesting he would be a “McGovern variation.”
“But that is not to say that the President is invincible even to Sanders, Souder writes. “For example, a pardon of Roger Stone, combined with a Barr resignation and then the economy slipping and who knows what else … Too much uncertainty even to count out Sanders, which is scary.”
The former lawmaker from the 3rd District says Trump is the early favorite. “It is his race to lose, which he is perfectly capable of doing on any day. So every day this year will be a political adventure. No true commentator, except those with heavy bias, would begin to claim they know what will happen.”
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Dan Spalding is the editor at InkFreeNews.com.
He covers city government and politics and always welcomes your input.
He can be reached at [email protected] or at (574) 855-7612.