Candidates

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State Representative

Dan Leonard Dan Leonard (Incumbent)
Republican Candidate for State Representative District 50

Rep. Leonard was first elected to the General Assembly in November 2002 to represent the 50th House District, and was overwhelmingly reelected in 2004 and 2006. The district includes Huntington County and a large portion of Whitley County. Representative Leonard currently holds a coveted seat in the House Ways and Means Committee and also serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Labor and Employment Committee. Rep. Leonard previously served on the Natural Resources Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Veterans Affairs and Public Policy Committee.

"Serving on the Ways and Means Committee offers me the opportunity to dedicate myself to the work of lowering taxes and reducing the size and cost of government. During my tenure on the Ways and Means Committee we have erased a $700 million dollar budget deficit without a state tax increase, and I am proud of that accomplishment, but our work is far from done. Property owners in Huntington and Whitely Counties have been decimated by an increase in their property taxes due to local capital construction projects and an inconsistent assessment system. I am committed to delivering the bold, immediate and permanent property tax relief, my constituents deserve before we adjourn this session."

Leonard has lived in the 50th District for over 58 years. He and his wife, Lydia, recently celebrated their 36th year of marriage with their two children and two grandchildren. Dan is employed at South Side Furniture in Huntington where he has worked for over three decades.

"As a lifelong resident of the community and a small businessman, I understand the greatness of our community and the challenges we face. This is a time that demands meaningful solutions and not sound bite politics. I look forward to campaigning over the next few months and sharing my ideas about our community with thousands of voters. There is a bright future to be had in Huntington and Whitley Counties, and I look forward to leading us toward it."


Commissioner

Tom Rethlake Tom Rethlake (Incumbent)
County Commissioner District 1

Rethlake is retired and has lived in Whitley County for the past 40 years. He resides in Etna Troy Township with his wife Jeanne. He graduated from Huntington College in 1958 and received a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Indiana University in 1968. He was Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Columbia City Joint High School for 17 years and Principal at Etna Troy School for 5 years.

During the past 8 years he has represented Whitley County on many local and regional committees. He was appointed to the Economic Development Council and is currently serving on the Indiana State DNR Advisory Council.

“I have been able to meet many new people by serving on these various committees and also had opportunities to promote Whitley County,” said Rethlake.

“It has, indeed, been a privilege to serve as a County Commissioner. With your continued support, I look forward to representing Whitley County another 4 years.”

County Councilman Kim Wheeler serves as Rethlake’s Campaign Chairman and Ralph Bailey is the campaign treasurer.


Don Amber Don Amber
County Commissioner District 3

Don Amber is married to wife Patty (Zolman) of 42 years. He has two children, six grandchildren and one great-grandson. Don is a graduate of Churubusco High School (Class of 1963) and both the Whitley County EMS EMT and Paramedic Training Courses.

Don was owner of Bob Amber Chevrolet in Churubusco from 1970-1981. He was aparamedic with Whitley County EMS for 26 years, Director of EMS from 1984 to 2000, and developed and taught the original First Responder Course to all Whitley County Fire Departments. Along with way Don was honored with several professional awards including: Indiana award for "EMS Service of the Year", Larry Myers Award for Mental Attitude and Professionalism, during EMS Directorship the service won the Indiana Governor's Cup on six occasions, American Legion "Outstanding EMT" 1983, and American Legion "Firefighter of the Year" 1982.

Don's Government Service includes:

He knows and understands the working of County Government.

Military Service for Don includes the Indiana Air National Guard 122nd Tactical Fighter Wing 1963-1971 where he was named "Outstanding Airman" 1970.

In the community, Don is one of only two active charter members of Whitley County EMS. He began service with them as a volunteer EMT in 1976. He was a Volunteer Firefighter from 1967-1989 where he served as Fire Chief. He also was an originator of 9-1-1 in the Churubusco area and started the first rescue truck in Whitley County. A Youth League coach and Youth League Soccer program founder, Don is also a lifelong member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church. Don also was on the Churubusco Chamber of Commerce from 1963-1981.


Council

Bill Overdeer Bill Overdeer (Incumbent)
County Council At-Large

Bill Overdeer is a candidate for re-election to the Whitley County Council for the fifth term. During his time in office he has served as President of the Council, as well as President of the Whitley County Redevelopment Commission. He has also served as President and VP of the Indiana Association of County Councils, and he was chairman of the Whitley County Republican party for several years.

Bill has worked with the Whitley County Economic Development Corp. in helping with the growth of about one billion dollars in investment in the county. This investment has brought many good paying jobs to the community, as well as increased assessed value, which helps spread the property tax load.

Bill is active in other ways in helping to improve the community He is currently a member of the Whitley County Community Foundation Board, the Blue River Senior Citizens Housing Board, serves on the Region IIIA Development Board, and the Indiana Commission of Courts. He is a former member of the SWCD Board, the Thorncreek Twp. Advisory Board, Somebody Cares, and the Whitley County Extension Board. He was also President of the Old Settler's Association the year the 100th celebration was held.

Bill, a retiree of International Harvestor and farming, along with his wife, Barbara, live in Thorncreek Twp. They're the parents of 5 children -- Mike, Mark, and Matt Overdeer, Brent Bockelman, and Lori Heuer. They have 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, most living in Whitley County. A member of Grace Lutheran church, he is also a member of the Masonic Lodge #189, the American Legion Post #98, and the Whitley County Historical Society. He is currently part owner of Commercial Realty Concepts Group.

"Due to the outcome of the last session of the state legislature," stated Overdeer, "there are some challenging changes coming to County Government. I believe my past years of experience will help Whitley County meet those challenges. I look forward to continuing to serve the residents of all of Whitley County in the future."


Tom Western Tom Western (Incumbent)
County Council At-Large

Tom Western is seeking a second term for the Republican seat of Whitley County Counci at-large. Tom is currently serving as Whitley County Coucil President. He has been a director of Northeastern REMC for the past 22 years and has served two terms as Northeastern's board chairman and three terms as vice-chair. He is also past chair and current vice-chair of Cusotmer Choice Services Corporation. Western has served on the Whitley County 4-H Fair board and has been on numerous board of directors and committees throughtout the community, including being a member of the Etna-Troy Township Advisory Board for 12 years. He is a graduate of Larwill High School and the Purdue Unibersity AG Short Course. He is also a volunteer firefighter for Richland Township. Western has been farming all his life. He currently is a second generation family farmer, operating a diversified grain business in Northern Whitley County, with his son Doug. He and his wife, Sue, have been married 33 years and are parents of three children and have four grandchildren. They live on 600 North in Etna Troy Township, and attend New Hope Wesleyan Church.


Jim Banks Jim Banks
County Council At-Large

"I am running for County Council at-Large because I believe we can do more to build a better Whitley County. I am a product of Whitley County. I was born and raised in Columbia City and South Whitley where I attended Whitko and Whitley County Consolidated Schools. Whitley County and its people have blessed me greatly over the years and I am inspired to run for public office to give back to those who have given me so much to me. I graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington. After living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where I worked at Focus on the Family and started my own public affairs business (The Wabash Group), my wife Amanda and I decided that we wanted to make Columbia City our home and returned to Indiana in Feb, 2007. We are both passionate about serving others and making a difference in our own community."

"There is great potential for Whitley County that is not currently being met. We are strategically positioned between Warsaw and Fort Wayne with a major highway that provides important opportunity for economic development. I will be a councilman who will work closely with Whitley County businesses in order to be an advocate for them in many different ways. We must not forget South Whitley and Churubusco as locations in our county that deserve our attention in relation to economic development opportunities. I will work closely with the elected officials in all communities within Whitley County to find ways for county and city/town governments to work together."

"I will also be an advocate for the taxpayers of Whitley County. I will be a councilman who is not afraid to say 'no' and will always evaluate a spending initiative on the question of whether or not it is necessary or an appropriate use of tax dollars. I am the only candidate for county council this year who has publicly stated that I will not vote to raise the tax burden on Whitley County families if I am elected."

"I would be honored to serve as Whitley County Councilman and humbly ask for your vote on May 6th in the Republican Primary Election. Thank you and God Bless."

-- Jim Banks, 248.8406