Logansport election preview: Clerk/treasurer, At-Large and Ward 1 city council
Nov. 2—With the 2023 municipal election less than a week away and early voting already underway, candidates for Logansport mayor and city council are making their final pitches to voters.
Voters in the city of Logansport will decide on mayor, clerk/treasurer and seven spots on the city council.
The municipal election is Tuesday, with the polls 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. Thursday and 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. Thursday and 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 looks at candidates from the treasurer/clerk race and the At-Large and Ward 1 city council seats. Two At-Large candidates will be selected. On Friday, we will preview city council races for Ward 2, 3, 4 and 5. On Saturday, we will preview the race for mayor of Logansport.
Duane Ullom
Party: Democrat
Age: 65
Occupation: Current City of Logansport Clerk Treasurer since 2020; former high school biology/chemistry teacher for over 38 years.
Education (college/high school): Graduated in 1976 from Daleville High School (Delaware County), obtained a B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from Ball State University, obtained a M.S. degree from Purdue University, and have over 30 hours in additional course work beyond my masters degree.
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"One of my main goals will be to continue to ensure taxpayers' money is spent appropriately, through the guidelines provided by the State Board of Accounts. My office will continue to work to provide transparency in the actions of the city's leadership, so citizens know how and why funds are being expended. This includes streaming/recording of live meetings, such as the Board of Works, Logansport Redevelopment Commission, Logansport Parks Board, City Council Committee meetings and City Council monthly meetings. Minutes of these meetings are also available on the city website. Also, as Clerk-Treasurer, I will continue to work with the city department heads to provide assistance with budgeting and purchasing of both large ticket items and everyday expenses."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"If re-elected, I will to continue to ensure the finances of the city are used as prescribed by the guidelines provided by the State of Indiana. This will help Logansport to continue to be eligible to apply for local, state, and federal grants to help improve our community."
What would you like to say to voters?
"Through the last four years I have continued to educate myself and my staff through various seminars and state called meetings. This allows us to remain current on new guidelines and policies implemented by the state. I have managed to have over $200,000 in IRS penalties, inherited from the prior administration, abated for the city, thus saving unneeded expenditures of taxpayer monies. And I am proud of my staff for the service and commitment they have shown over my four years in office; helping to keep the Clerk-Treasurer's office open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day, even during the COVID epidemic. Their dedication to help the citizens of Logansport and ensure the financial obligations of the city are being met has been outstanding."
Tyler Pearson
Party: Republican
City Common Council, At Large
Dave Morris
Party: Democrat
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired Logansport City Letter Carrier.
Education: 1973 Graduate of Logansport HS, attended Purdue and IUK.
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"As a member of the city council for the past 8 years, I would continue to focus on many of the issues we have been addressing over this time frame. Housing, jobs, utilities, parks, public safety, and riverfront development are all quality of life factors that will retain and attract business opportunities and people to come or stay in our city. Recently, we have updated our parks master plan, our hotel study, and our housing study to provide the supporting documentation many investors request or grant providers require in order to put the proper financing together to move forward with a project. I would continue to focus on infrastructure , park improvements and providing for the needs of all our departments to better serve the community while continuing to maintain fiscal responsibility over the taxpayer's money."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"In addition to everything I spoke of above, our top priority should be to start considering what impact the 2 recently announced EV battery plants being located in Kokomo will have on our community in the coming years. How will the creation of 2,800 new jobs impact our local industry and the retention of workers locally? Will we see an influx of people wanting to move into Logansport, Galveston, and Cass County in general? Will this create more opportunities for us to attract additional manufacturing, warehousing, retail, and the need for even more housing? Will the improvements to our utilities be adequate for extension of possible services if need be? Possible needs for additional public services? It may seem like 2025 is a long way off for the opening of the first EV plant, but now is the time for Logansport and Cass County to consider the best approach going forward for our community."
What would you like to say to voters?
"Volunteering and having a desire to help has always been something I've enjoyed. While working as a letter carrier I ran the letter carrier food drive for many years. As a member of Cross-WInd UMC I was Director of the Upward Soccer Ministry for 6 years and coached every season. I have enjoyed my 8 years as a city councilman and have given my all to be a part of so many improvements. As the Utility Committee Chairman I have attended almost every stormwater and utility board meeting. I take seriously my responsibilities as a council representative for our community and would love to continue to serve you."
Suzy Wamsley
Party: Democrat
Age: 68
Occupation: Paralegal for 38 years.
Education: Logansport High School.
If elected, how would you improve the city?:
"1.) I would begin to improve the City of Logansport by being part of an administration that respects its co-workers and employees. Employees who feel respected are more inclined to perform at their highest level. 2.) I would further improve the City by supporting our citizens' need for animal control. Being a voice of reason in discussion with Pets R Us and the City as opposed to following the County's lead and employing out of County services. Logansport does not need to operate its own kennel. The present issues can be resolved. 3.) The City of Logansport is fortunate to have two rivers, and the foresight to build trails and parks to enhance them. These are beautiful quality-of-life assets for our town which I will work to continue to maintain and improve."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"1.) If elected my top priority is participating in all aspects of City Council responsibilities by attending committee meetings, studying our budget and how our tax dollars are appropriated, together with listening to the citizens and their concerns for our City. 2.) As I have already mentioned, our local animal control issue needs to be addressed promptly. "
Benjamin A. Grant
Party: Republican
Age: 42
Occupation: Field Service Engineer
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"I am passionate about serving Logansport as a councilman and it's important for me to maintain a safe environment and be an advocate for public safety. I would invest into helping move forward housing project, street and sidewalk projects and maintain budget."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"Top priority is to uphold the needs of our citizens and continue to create a safe and beautiful community that we call home. Second, address some of the issues we are currently facing and make progress, as well as making progress for our youth with a skate park utilizing unoccupied space."
What would you like to say to voters?
"I'm proud to live in Logansport. I'm proud of the improvements of our city and thriving community with Mayor Martin leading. That is why I'm running for city council at large to be a voice for the community as we are moving forward."
Jonathan Nelms
Party: Republican
Age: 23
Occupation: Incumbent City Council At-Large, Specialist in the Indiana Army National Guard, Substitute Teacher.
Education: HSE/online school, studying at Indiana Tech currently.
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"If elected I believe in working with groups of different backgrounds, it won't just be a me effort. We as a community have to come together and decide what our priorities are and work to produce solutions."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"Continuing our focus on infrastructure improvements such as improving our sidewalks. One suggestion is changing the 50:50 program to 80:20 with the city paying the majority. Other focuses include housing, parks advancements, and any other issues that appear through the term."
What would you like to say to voters?
"I'd end by saying it has been the absolute honor of a lifetime to serve this community these last few years. I believe there is far more we can accomplish together as one team, and continue to build the history of our community together."
Logansport City Common Council, Ward 1 Miesje Biggs
Party: Democrat
Age: 45
Occupation: Restaurant Manager
Education (college/high school): Caston High School
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"I would work to continue to improve our city's infrastructure including sidewalks, parks, and streets."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"Public safety."
Cameron Austin
Party: Republican
Age: 32
Occupation: Claim representative with Indiana Farm Bureau.
Education (college/high school): Associates Degree in Automotive Technology.
If elected, how would you improve the city?
"If elected I plan to help continue the progress from the current administration. We have a lot of new development and businesses, and I would like to see Logansport continue to grow and thrive."
What would be your top priority if elected?
"My top priority if elected would be public safety, this would entail maintaining and repairing infrastructure, sidewalks, roadways and such. Also providing our police, firefighters, and emergency personnel with the proper equipment and supplies need to do their work effectively."
What would you like to say to voters?
"I would like to ask for your vote for City Council Ward 1. Thank you."
