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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Vets Honored
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
Page 7 One Nation Under God themail-journal.com
Republicans sweep local
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%\ '(% 3$77(5621 (GLWRU ,Q &KLHI It was a Republican sweep Tuesday for the 2022 general election in Kosciusko County. This was also true statewide as Republican candidates retained all political seats on a state or national level. Brad Voelz, Jim Smith, Craig Snow all won their individual local contested races for prosecutor, sheriff and State Rep. District 22 respectively. Rudy Yakym not only won the special U.S. Rep. Second District spot for the next two years, he also won the special election for that seat and will be heading to Washington, D.C., to fill out the remaining two-month term of the late U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski. Todd Young retained his seat as U.S. Senator and Jim Banks easily defeated his opponents in his reelection bid for U.S. Rep. Third District. The lines at various poll centers Tuesday made it feel as if there was a larger than normal turnout of voters. However, there was only a 42.84% turnout. The
2018 midterm election had a 51.79% turnout. The county has 54,340 registered voters, with 18,856 voting on election day. Ann Torpy, county clerk, stated the illusion was fewer polls and poll workers. “It made it feel overwhelming,” she stated. The 2018 election had approximately 43 poll locations. This was narrowed down for 2022 to 20 vote centers. Torpy believes that the vote centers are being well received, with some voters still inquiring about the location of their precinct poll. Regarding this year’s general election, Torpy reported 1,153 mail-in, travel board, military and overseas ballots being received and 3,271 walk-in voters. “That is 720 more (walk-in votes) than 2018,” she said. According to the county tabulation report, there were 7,871 straight party votes for the Republicans, 520 for the Democrats and five for the Libertarians. The Races It was evident from the start the Republicans were going to sweep the election in Koscius-
&5$,* 612: 67$7( 5(3 ',675,&7 ko County. Voelz defeated his Democrat opponent, Travis McConnell, with 75.27% of the votes. McConnell received 24.73% of the votes. In the sheriff’s race, Smith received 62.91% to James Marshall’s 37.09%. Looking locally, the 13 precincts in the Lakeland area were overwhelmingly for Smith. Smith carried all but two precincts in Tippecanoe, Turkey Creek and Van Buren townships, being defeated by Marshall in Van Buren 1 and 2. “Thank you for electing me to be the next Kosciusko County Sheriff. I am humbled and thankful for the tremendous support shown to me as I have campaigned throughout this county, meeting so many Kosciusko County residents this past year and a half. “I don’t take lightly the trust you have bestowed upon me to serve as your sheriff. I will work hard and strive to serve you well,” Smith stated in a press release. “I wish James Marshall the best and look forward to his continuation with the sheriff’s office. I
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hope to be able to work with Sheriff (Kyle) Dukes to have a smooth transition.” In the County Council District 3 race, which includes a portion of Plain Township, Tony Ciriello easily defeated his Libertarian opponent, David Lewis, with 79.69% of the votes to Lewis’ 20.31% Looking at the Plain Township Advisory Board race, it was Greg Anderson, Robert Bishop and Larry Kammerer getting the top votes. Anderson received 29.54%, Bishop received 30.95% and Kammerer received 29.38% Their Democratic opponent, Gaynor Worden, received 10.14%. Going to the state and national races, Young retained his seat as U.S. Senator. Statewide, with 84.8% of the precincts reporting to the state’s secretary of state’s office, Young received 52.6% of the votes over his Democrat opponent, Thomas McDermott Jr., who received 42.3% of the votes and Libertarian opponent James Sceniak’s 5.1%. Locally Young received 78.55% of the votes to McDermott’s 17.39% and Libertarian
James M. Sceniak’s 3.90%. Young declared victory in his reelection campaign close to 9 p.m. “I am grateful to Hoosiers for the opportunity to continue serving them in the United States Senate,” Young said in a press release. “This Marine is ready to go back to Washington to fight back against the Biden-Harris agenda wherever necessary, but I’m also ready to work across the state to conquer America’s challenges and defeat our enemies abroad.” In the U.S. Rep. 2nd District special election race Yakym resoundingly defeated his opponents with 62.7% of the votes to fill Walorski’s seat. His Democrat opponent, Paul Steury, received 34.1%, while the write-in candidates received 3.2%. In Kosciusko County Yakym received 60.79% of the vote to Steury’s 15.59%. In the regular Second District race, Yakym received 63.8% of the votes to Steury’s 33.3% districtwide. Kosciusko County residents provided Yakym with 78.68% of the votes to Steury’s 17.06%. Banks dominated his two op-
%5$' 92(/= 3526(&8725 ponents to retain his seat. Banks received 74.7% of the votes districtwide to Democrat Gary Snyder’s 21.6% and Independent Nathan Gotsch’s 3.8%. In Kosciusko County, Banks received 77.69% of the votes to Snyder’s 18.43% and Gotsch’s 2.88% In the State Rep. District 22 race, Kosciusko County helped Craig Snow win the new district seat. Districtwide Snow received 79.3% of the votes to his Democrat opponent Dee Moore’s 16.4%. Libertarian candidate Josh Vergiels received 4.3%. Locally Snow received 79.28% to Moore’s 16.4% and Vergiels received 4.31%. Kosciusko County voted in other state Republican office positions. Locally, Diego Morales received 73.58% over his opponents, Destiny Wells and Jeffrey Mauer, for secretary of state; Tera Klutz received 78.55% of the votes over her opponents, Zenai Brooks and John Schick, for auditor of state; and Daniel Elliott received 80.40% of the local votes over Jessica McClellan.
Wawasee School Board hears official recommendation for Milford Middle School %\ &$/(,*+ %<5(5 6WDII :ULWHU
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Baut, Likens, Cripe win school board elections Neil Likens, District 1, and Steve Baut, District 3, will be joining Andy Cripe, District 2, on the Wawasee Community School Corp. Board of Trustees Jan. 1. Likens will be filling the seat currently held by Rob Fisher.
Baut will be replacing Rebecca Linnemeier. Both Fisher and Linnemeier opted not to seek reelection. Cripe, who was unopposed, will retain his seat. Likens led the District 2 seat throughout the evening, defeating his opponent, Heather Coy, 2,778 to 2,357. It was neck and neck between Baut and Brian Weideman, with Baut winning by 25 votes, 2,359 to 2,334. “First of all, I’d like to say all the candidates did a fantastic job. I’m honored and looking forward to working with this team and the community. Thank you to all who voted for me, my family and friends and their personal support throughout this journey,” said Likens. Baut could not be reached for comment. Closer Look Taking a closer look at the school board race by precinct votes in Jefferson, Tippecanoe, Turkey Creek and Van Buren shows Likens carried half of the
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14 precincts. He lost to Coy in Jefferson 3 (53-60), Turkey Creek 1 (171-207), 2 (76-105), 6 (139-151) and Van Buren 1 (193-226), 2 (6797) and 3 (176-289). However, he was the favorite in Tippecanoe Township, winning all four precincts by large margins (318-169, 319-190, 286-213 and 327-171) as well as Turkey Creek Precincts 4 (176-122) and 5 (297-193). He narrowly defeated Coy in Turkey Creek 3 (180-174). Baut and Weideman battled back and forth throughout the district. The vote differences ranged from as high as 34 to as low as one vote. Baut won in Jefferson 3 (6355), Turkey Creek 2 (88-83), Turkey Creek 3 (175-153), Turkey Creek 4 (153-119), Turkey Creek 5 (225-215), Turkey Creek 6 (130129), Van Buren 1 (217-200) and Van Buren 3 (232-220). Weideman took all four Tippecanoe precincts (212-198, 228213, 219-217 and 228-209), Turkey Creek 1 (186-160) and Van Continued on page 3
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affect the Wawasee School Dis- time, he is just waiting to hear trict as a whole are expected to from the designer the group had conclude by 2025 if all goes as selected. Troyer noted during his good Superintendent Dr. Steve planned. One such project is a Troyer gave his official recom- new manufacturing plant in Mil- news items that the school had mendation on Milford Middle ford that would employ roughly received numerous donations, School at the Wawasee School 100 people in administrative and many of which were brought in by the school super mileage veBoard meeting Tuesday, Nov. 8. production positions. The meeting opened with hicle. Troyer stated that after gathThe Kosciusko Community ering data and hearing from time for patron comments, durcommunity members, he be- ing which Rich Rhodes stated Foundation donated $637 and lieves the best course of action there has been no word on the $563.50; Wawasee Property for Milford Middle School at Harry J. Michael veteran memo- Owners Association donated this juncture is no action. Troy- rial wall for quite some time. He $5,000; North Webster Church er stated the discussion should also stated the issue of the wall of God donated $500; Knights be tabled until the new mem- was tied to the potential action of Columbus donated $500; Nabers join the board in January, against Milford Middle School in than and Troy Ousley donated that each issue consists of bro- $500; and Brandy Swope donatper the community’s request. ed $2,500. Douglas and Jeannine Troyer said he does not want ken promises from the board. Although patron comments Schrock also donated $3,000 to to rush the decision and would like to open the floor to other are not usually addressed dur- be split among athletics, the suparts of the community to hear ing meetings, Troyer provided per mileage vehicle and the band their thoughts on the matter. clarification on Rhode’s concerns. program. Troyer also recognized the All board members expressed Troyer stated that a committee they were in agreement with had met a few times to discuss FFA team of Jared Beer, ColTroyer and did not wish to take building the wall and that at this Continued on page 2 any action until the new board members are part of the decision-making process. In addition to the recommendation, the board received more information on future housing from representatives of KosClip the form below, complete ciusko Economic Development with your information, enclose Corporation. payment and mail to: KEDCO representatives Greg Fitzloff and Terry Sweeney spoke to the board regarding the residential projects that will soon be underway. Fitzloff stated that by mid2023, phase one of the project Mail To: The Mail-Journal, in Milford, which consists of 17 P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542-0188 new homes, should be active. He Please include check or money order. claimed people are already inReg. Price Senior Discount quiring about pre-sale of these $ 00 ( ) In Kosciusko County ................... 47 ( ) $4230 homes, which speaks to what $ 00 ( ) Outside Kosciusko County .......... 58 ( ) $5220 this project may do to boost $ 00 ( ) Out Of State ............................... 68 ( ) $6120 school enrollment rates. 10% Discount To Senior Citizens (65 Or Older) Additional projects that may
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