Election Preview: Logansport City Council Wards 2, 3, 4, and 5
Nov. 3—Early voting for the 2023 municipal election in the city of Logansport is underway with Election Day set for Tuesday.
This election cycle, voters in the city will decide on mayor, clerk/treasurer and seven spots on the city council. There are no other races being contested in the county or statewide races.
Polls for Tuesday's municipal election open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Logansport School Administration Building, 2829 George St., and the Riverside Park McHale Complex, 1208 Riverside Dr.
Early voting continues this week at the Cass County Courthouse, 200 Court Park, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to noon Monday. Early voting is also from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at both the Logansport School Administration Building and Riverside Park McHale Complex.
The Pharos-Tribune sent out a questionnaire to all candidates running in the election. Below are each candidates' responses, edited for publication. Several candidates did not respond despite multiple attempts.
Today's story previews the city council races for Ward 2, 3, 4 and 5. Thursday's story looked at candidates from the treasurer/clerk race and the At-Large and Ward 1 city council seats. On Saturday, we will preview the race for mayor of Logansport.
Three of the city councilmembers below are incumbents: Amy Densborn, Hayley Zinsmaster and Scott Peattie. Zinsmaster currently is in the Ward 5 seat but is running for Ward 4. Peattie is in the Wad 4 seat and is running for Ward 5.
Jesika Alexander
Party: Democrat
Age: 42
Occupation: Behavior Consultant
Education (college/high school): Graduated 1999 Logansport a high school. Bachelor's in criminal justice, Master's in psychology.
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"The city has current forward progress that has been wonderful to see. I would like to see better development of the south end to add to this growth. Being directly off the highway makes certain spots on the Southside a good location for investors and would help fill in the areas that are missing on the south and west sides of town. Any money spent by the city needs to be something that will add value for everyone. I want to make sure we are responsible in doing that and making sure any spending is done to the benefit of the entire city."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"Housing is a big issue here. We have seen what previous administrations have done with the new housing development coming in which is fantastic. Affordable housing is still very hit and miss even with all of the new housing going in. Our city's median income is less than $42,000 and I believe we need to look into additional housing that will also be more affordable for those living closer to or under the median income."
What would you like to say to voters?
"Logansport has gotten so much better since I was a kid growing up here. Slowly, but surely, we are adding events, businesses, jobs and locations that will make more of our kiddos want to stay or move back here after graduation. I've been happy to be able to raise and continue to raise my children here and it only gets better every year. I want Logansport to be a place people can consider home."
BJ Cox
Party: Republican
Occupation: Retired firefighter
If elected, Cox said he wants to encourage business, clean the city's rivers and overgrown trails, be fair to all city employees and would like to see developments in areas other than the east end of the city, according to a past Pharos Tribune article.
Amy Densborn
Party: Democrat
Age: 52
Occupation: Science Teacher
Education (college/high school): Master's Degree in Science Education Ball State University.
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"In the past eight years that I have been in office the city has evolved physically and financially in a positive way. If elected I would work diligently to keep that momentum going."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"I believe the top priority of any elected official would be to make the city you live in the best it can be. We all want to live in and be part of something we are proud of. I am extremely proud of everything that has been accomplished from the LED lights for the city, our solar park, the sale of the mall, the blight housing project, the investments made within our public safety departments, just to mention a few. Working together for continued growth of Logansport is my top priority if elected."
What would you like to say to voters?
"I have enjoyed the past eight years I've served on the city council and I hope to continue serving Ward 3."
Chris Howard
Party: Republican
Age: 47
Occupation: Electrician
Education (college/high school): Logansport High School.
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"The first item that always needs to be a priority is remaining fiscally responsible with taxpayers money. Everything we do as a council must be done with budget constraints in mind. I believe we need to bring in jobs that pay a higher wage. We need to have jobs that will bring our college educated children back to Logansport. I'd also like to see our downtown continue to grow. I believe the people of Logansport would like a permanent Farmers Market located downtown. It would be an asset for the other businesses already thriving downtown."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"As I've stated before, my top priority is our emergency services, police and fire. After years of not staying up to date with wages, we have a problem with turnover in these departments. There has been progress made on this with the current council but it will continue to be an issue as we move forward. We need to be competitive with surrounding departments so we can retain the tenured employees we have in our departments. There are excellent people working for the citizens of Logansport in these departments and I want to make sure we keep these folks working for us."
What would you like to say to voters?
"I'd ask that anybody not registered to vote, get registered and vote. The right to vote is one way we as citizens can voice our opinion. If elected, I will be your voice during my term. Please vote on or before November 7 and please consider voting for Chris Howard, City Council, Ward 3."
Hayley Zinsmaster
Party: Democrat
Age: 36
Occupation: First grade teacher at Landis Elementary
Education (college/high school): Logansport High School (2005) and University of Indianapolis (2009).
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"If elected, I will continue to attend meetings to learn and serve the city as best as possible. I will listen to my constituents and make sure they are informed of meetings and agendas. I would like to see a working agreement between CCHS Pets R Us and the City of Logansport. I will also continue to support public safety in Logansport."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"My top priority is to remain active and involved in the City of Logansport. I will accomplish this by being present at City Council meetings and committee meetings. I will also be available to speak with members of the community."
Anything else you would like for us to include?
"I am first and foremost an educator, not a politician. I believe this is an asset, as I have a deep understanding of the needs of our community's families and children. Since joining the city council after Carl McPherson's passing, I've been determined to hit the ground running. Mr. McPherson left quite the legacy and it is my hope that I am doing a good job at filling his shoes. I've attended every meeting possible, eager to learn and serve to the best of my ability. I am a member of the finance committee and contributed in making the 2024 budget which includes raises for all city departments. I am the chair of the Utility Committee and have been attending Logansport Utilities' monthly board meetings and have gone for tours of the plants and other sites. My commitment to Logansport runs deep. I own a home here, am very involved in my job, and love this community. I want Logansport to be the best place it can possibly be."
Blake Isaacs
Party: Republican
Isaacs remains on the ballot but told the Pharos-Tribune by email in September he will not be able to serve due to moving to Indianapolis.
"I am no longer involved in the city council race even though my name might still be on the ballot," Isaacs wrote in an email to the Pharos-Tribune. "I will not be doing any of the town halls or events. The reason for this is I am planning on moving to the Indianapolis area following my graduation from Purdue in the spring and I feel that it would be dishonest to run at this point knowing I plan on moving in the spring."
Democrat Scott G. Peattie
Name: Scott G. Peattie
Occupation: Security Guard at CSC-Indiana
Education: Logansport High School, Ivy Tech Community College
Republican Kenneth Mark Totten
Name: Kenneth Mark Totten
Education: Taylor High School
