City vs. county

Call it being sensitive, or call it getting the message, but at least one Howard County office holder called us to complain about the city’s latest crackdown on parking violators.

Perhaps drawing on earlier public comments by city officials, the elected official claimed A) county employees aren’t the worst parking offenders, and that B) the city is blowing the problem out of proportion.

It’s worth noting that none of city attorney Derek Sublette’s quotes in the Tribune story last week directly mentioned county employees. However, we personally have seen county employees playing musical chairs with courthouse parking spaces better left to the public.

If they want to go through the hassle of moving a car every two hours, we suppose there’s not much anyone can say to stop them.

Merry-go-round

The political in-fighting in Tipton County gets more curious with each passing day.

Just a week after the Tipton County Republican Party issued a resolution censuring County Commissioner Jane Harper and distancing itself from her for a number of alleged offenses, she was elected president of the Tipton County Redevelopment Commission – with support from one Central Committee member.

The action came last Thursday during a Redevelopment Commission meeting that included reorganization of the group. Brad Nichols, a member of the GOP Central Committee, made the motion to elect Harper as president. Democrat Kenny Ziegler, a county commissioner, then made a motion to nominate Monte Henderson as president, which was seconded by fellow Commissioner Mike Cline, a member of the GOP Central Committee.

Harper was elected president by a 4-3 vote. Republicans Beth Roach, Kurt Fettig and Nichols voted for Harper. Ziegler and Cline voted with Henderson.

Following the meeting, Nichols said he didn’t attend the Central Committee meeting when the resolution to censure Harper was adopted.

The Central Committee provided no evidence to the public to support its action against Harper. She was not invited to the meeting and declared it a “kangaroo court.”

He’s baaack

There was probably little joy among Republican Party leaders in the 2nd Congressional District when they learned Tony Zirkle filed his candidacy in the May 4 primary.

Zirkle made headlines during the 2008 campaign when he spoke at a rally for members of the Nazi Party in Chicago. A photograph was circulated with Zirkle standing in front of a portrait of Adolph Hitler.

Last year the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission suspended Zirkle’s license to practice law in Indiana. He is eligible for reinstatement in 2011.

At the time Craig Dunn, Howard County Republican Party chairman, said Zirkle should never seek office again as a Republican or identify himself as a member of the party.

During the 2008 campaign Zirkle also legally changed his middle name to “Hvfvgpd,” which means “Homeless vet fluke versus the great porn dragon.” He lost the bid for the GOP nomination to Luke Puckett, but finished ahead of Puckett in Howard County.

Zirkle also lost bids for the GOP nomination in 2004 and 2006 to Chris Chocola.

He is one of four candidates who are seeking the nomination to run against incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly. Zirkle is joined on the primary ballot by Martin Dolan, Jack Jordan and Jackie Walorski. Walorski has been endorsed by the GOP chairmen in the district.

Another endorsement

Just a week after securing an endorsement from Peru Mayor Jim Walker in his bid to capture the 5th District Republican Party nomination, Mike Murphy has obtained a second from the area.

Outgoing Miami County Sheriff Ken Roland endorsed Murphy this past week.

“As a candidate, Mike Murphy has acted as a Congressman should,” Roland said in a press statement. “He is responsive, thorough, and knowledgeable on the issues facing Miami County residents. As a legislator, Mike has a perfect voting record for law enforcement. He is the guy we count on."

Roland said he considered the six other candidates in the race before backing Murphy.

Murphy is seeking the nomination against incumbent Dan Burton, Ann Adcock, Andy Lyons, John McGoff, Brose McVey and Luke Messer.