Puckett wants headlines back
With Tony Zirkle grabbing all the press in the 2nd District congressional Republican primary, his opponent, Luke Puckett, is trying to garner a few headlines of his own.
No, Puckett isn’t going to go speak before any controversial groups, a la Zirkle.
Amazingly, Zirkle was still getting press for his excursion to a Chicago Nazi rally two weeks after the event, with a speaking engagement scheduled on Wolf Blitzer’s CNN show “Situation Room” Friday.
Instead, Puckett said Thursday he was planning a charter flight to the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), where Puckett would like to drill for oil. He’s even inviting U.S. Rep. Joe Donnelly, the freshman Democrat who’ll be facing the Republican nominee in November.
“This is a genuine opportunity to change the mind of our current congressman and other vulnerable freshmen Dems on this issue,” Puckett said. “I want to take Donnelly out to the Alaskan tundra and I want him to show me and the press that will be in attendance exactly which areas he objects to us drilling in.”
Wait a second ... did we read “press in attendance”? Sounds like a job for Ken de la Bastide.
Goodnight hands stage to Clinton
After taking some grief for not showing up at Sen. Barack Obama’s April 25 town hall meeting in Kokomo, Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight was front and center at Sen. Hillary Clinton’s rally Wednesday.
Tan from his weeklong vacation, Goodnight gave a rousing introduction to a crowd of 3,000.
“I don’t think anyone in the room will disagree that we, as a country, desperately need new leadership,” Goodnight said. “The good news is Senator Clinton has a plan to jumpstart the economy, restore the middle class, and provide quality, affordable health care for all Americans.”
So did Goodnight’s speech constitute an endorsement? It sure seemed that way.
“It’s a Goodnight in Kokomo,” Clinton punned, “and I appreciate that.”
Goodnight, however, said Thursday he’s not endorsing either candidate.
Campaigning in the shadows
Normally during a presidential election year, the focus of voters and the news media is on the gubernatorial race in Indiana, this year is different.
With the Indiana primary playing an important role in which candidate will gain the Democratic Party nomination for president, the battle for the party’s gubernatorial nomination between Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger has been a blip on the radar screen.
“It’s a concern,” Schellinger said during a campaign stop in Kokomo of the attention being given to the presidential candidates. “We can’t control it. The presidential contest is the big focus of the media.”
Although the media is concentrating on the presidential candidates, Schellinger said people in the state want to discuss state issues.
“This is the first time Indiana has been in play in a presidential primary in 40 years,” he said. “It is creating a passion, we should see a record turnout.”
Pain at the pump
Long Thompson has started a petition drive among Hoosiers to ask Gov. Mitch Daniels to suspend the state’s 7 percent sales tax on gasoline once the price exceeds $2.75 per gallon.
She said the move would save Indiana motorists about $100 million per year.
Based on the current price of gasoline in Howard County, which is approximately $3.72 per gallon the savings would be 6-cents per gallon.
The petition can be signed online at www.hoosiersforjill.com.
“We are one of the few states that even charges sales tax on fuel, and, in this time of economic uncertainty and high fuel prices, Hoosiers deserve a break,” she said.
Election night
Local Democrats will gather at their downtown headquarters to follow the election returns. With no local contested nominations, the interest will focus on the presidential and gubernatorial races.
Republicans will be at their headquarters for what is expected to be an early evening with only one local and two congressional contests.
Local News
Public Eye - Sunday, May 4, 2008
- Local News
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Local band hopes to Land the Big Gig
Kokomo's Shiny Penny and the Critical Shoes has entered into the final round of a national competition called Land The Big Gig and a chance to play at Summerfest, the world's largest music festival, in Milwaukee.
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Convenience store moves ahead
Plans to rezone a corner of Washington Street and East Boulevard received initial approval from the Kokomo Common Council Monday, moving the matter to a final vote June 11.
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Council gives OK to alcohol in Foster Park
The Kokomo Common Council approved a new policy for alcohol in Foster Park with little comment Monday, a move sought by local not-for-profit groups.
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Relics from Howard County jail on display
An old pad lock found in a cigar box by Jane Reed, the daughter of former Sheriff Tom Leap, spurred Sheriff Steve Rogers to endeavor to outline the history of the Howard County jail.
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County to consider hospital merger
County officials today will consider approving an agreement that will make Howard Regional Health System a part of the statewide Community Health Network.
The Howard County commissioners and Howard County Council will meet at 5 p.m. in the basement of the Howard County Administration Center, 220 N. Main St.
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Tipton commissioners OK E-on facility rezoning
TIPTON – Despite concerns from area residents, the Tipton County Commissioners unanimously approved rezoning for E-on Climate & Renewables operating center in rural Tipton County.
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Bracing for changes in GED
Trisha Smith dropped out of high school nearly 25 years ago when she got pregnant with her son, and now, even simple multiplication is difficult for her. She enrolled in GED classes two weeks ago through the Literacy Coalition of Howard County so she can make a better life for her and her family.
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Park gets favorable approval
The Howard County Plan Commission has given a favorable recommendation for a rezoning request to open a part on the western edge of the county.
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Kokomo native to showcase artwork
John D. Shearer, photographer and Kokomo native, will display his multi-media exhibit “I’m Too Young For This @#!%” during the month of June at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center in Bloomington. The opening reception is 5 to 8 p.m. June 1, and is free and open to the public.
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Haynes factory tour highlights haunted history
In 2001, Pat Shuck felt something strange inside the dilapidated, 100-year old factory building at 1124 S. Union St. – a passing breeze in a windless room.
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