Council, clerk-treasurer candidates prepare for candidate forum

Mar. 21—Candidates in the city's municipal elections this year are preparing for a forum at 6 p.m. Tuesday at McHale Performing Arts Center.

The forum is open to the public and will feature specific questions about each candidate's goals for their respective offices.

In addition to the candidates for mayor, there will also be candidates for city council and clerk-treasurer at the forum. There is only one contested primary race in May outside of mayor elections, and that race is the Republican race for Ward 2 of the city council.

City council Ward 2 candidates

Blain Perkins and BJ Cox are both vying to be the Republican candidate for Ward 2 in the general election this November.

Cox said he is running for city council because he really loves the city and has a heart for his community. As a longtime firefighter at the Logansport Fire Department, he said he has a different type of experience with city government that could provide a fresh viewpoint.

If elected, Cox said he wants to encourage business, clean the city's rivers and overgrown trails, and be fair to all city employees. He also would like to see development in areas other than the east end of the city.

Perkins said he is running for city council because he wants to step up and make Logansport more attractive to young people and people who live outside the city. He said that beautifying the city, improving infrastructure, addressing dilapidated buildings and structures would be some of his main focuses if elected to the council.

He said his backgrounds in corrections helps him respond to problems quickly and effectively, and he also hopes to retain the city's traditions while encouraging development in Logansport.

Jesika Alexander, the Democrat running in the general election, said she wants to be part of the council to update the city while keeping its history alive. She said her work in the mental health field and her dedication to research make her a good candidate. If elected, she would focus on adding businesses and improving infrastructure, especially on the south side of town.

Clerk-treasurer candidates

Incumbent Democrat Duane Ullom will be competing against Republican challenger Tyler Pearson in the general election for clerk-treasurer. Ullom

said that so far as clerk-treasurer, he has created a human resources department, gotten the clerk-treasurer's office into compliance with state guidelines, balanced the budget, and installed new chamber equipment. If re-elected, he hopes to help the city continue to grow by encouraging industry and housing development.

Pearson said he would be a good fit for the clerk-treasurer position because he budgets for families with Primerica, an insurance company. One of his main goals is to improve Logansport for future generations, and he said he wants to work closely with the city's department heads to make and maintain a balanced budget.

City council at-large candidates

Democrat Dave Morris and Republicans Jonathan Nelms and Benjamin Grant are running for two at-large seats on the city council. Voters will vote for two of the three candidates on their ballots in the general election.

Morris said he is running for re-election to the city council because he is very excited about some of the city's current projects like the Lexington Village housing development and the new police station.

Morris said that he wants to continue to see Logansport prosper and added that during his time on the council and as part of the finance committee, the city has seen impressive growth and improved finances. If elected to another term, he hopes to encourage more development and encourage businesses to move to the city.

Nelms will be unable to attend the candidate forum because he will be on active-duty orders for the U.S. Army on Tuesday evening, but he currently holds an at-large seat on the city council.

During his time on the council, Nelms has worked on projects like the new police station, the mall project, downtown business revitalization, and the improvement of infrastructure. He has been a proponent of Mayor Chris Martin's plans to grow the city and attract new businesses.

Grant grew up in Alabama but said he felt called to move to Logansport after visiting a few times. So far, he is also very happy with the direction Martin has taken the city.

If he is elected to the council, Grant said he wants to encourage growth and improve residents' quality of life so they do not have to travel outside Logansport for goods, services, and activities. He would like to add a skate park for local kids and mentioned that, as vice-president of the Cass County Habitat for Humanity, he is passionate about creating housing.

Uncontested city council seats

Republican Cameron Austin is the only candidate running to represent Ward 1. Austin said he is running for city council because he wants to continue the work of the current administration. He said he is hardworking, a good listener, and proud of the city. If elected to the council, he hopes to improve infrastructure in Ward 1, especially sidewalks around schools and parks, and beautify Logansport.

Democrat Carl McPherson is the only candidate running to represent Ward 4. McPherson said he is running for re-election because he loves being on the council and is dedicated to bettering the city. He said he is a good council member because he is honest, straightforward, and has integrity.

McPherson said he wants to see Logansport grow with more industry and housing. He added that he likes to speak with his constituents and will go door-to-door to meet with people, listen to their concerns, and do whatever he can to help.

Democrat Scott Peattie is the only candidate running to represent Ward 5. Peattie said he is running for re-election because he wants to continue to improve the city and carry on tasks currently in the works like the Erie Avenue project.

If re-elected, Peattie hopes to expand business to Hoosier Heartland so people driving on the highway are more likely to stop.