Tracy Warner, and in yesterday’s column, he clearly has it all wrong.

Republican James Howard has raised the most money among the seven County Council candidates, reports filed Friday show, bringing in $6,357. Among the contributors were Fred Rost ($1,200), who made one of the loans to mayoral candidate Matt Kelty that later led to criminal charges against Kelty because the loan was not initially reported. Another contributor was City Councilwoman Karen Goldner, a Democrat, who gave $165.

Tracy just can’t get over the Kelty case and takes glee in using the mention of Fred Rost in an veiled attempt to damage a candidate by association. Here’s a question for Warner. Did I miss something? Was Fred Rost indicted and no one told me? Tracy, can you say “mean-spirited”?

A number of Kelty supporters are said to be in the camp of Howard, the city purchasing director who is also vice president of Allen County Right to Life. Some have discussed “bullet” voting for Howard, selecting only a single candidate in the race for three council seats. Advocates of “bullet” voting point out that voters increase the chances of their top choice being elected because voting for two other candidates could help them beat the preferred candidate.

And just who are the supposed “bullet” voters? From the people I have spoken with, the majority of the misfit toys from the Kelty campaign are in Houlihan’s camp, not Howard’s. This I really don’t understand given Mahlon’s lack of political experience.

The JG endorsed Mahlon yesterday, stating “Houlihan would offer a reasonable new voice to the council”. I’ve met Mahlon, seems like a nice enough guy. However, his experience working at the Civic Theatre is not my first choice when you compare it to Jim Howard’s experience.

At Monday’s Conservative Breakfast Club meeting Jim Howard and two of his opponents, Roy Buskirk and Mahlon Houlihan had the opportunity to address the group and answer some questions. Howard clearly dominated with his concise answers. Mahlon’s answers were short and not very substantive, and he dodged the first question with a non-answer.

Howard is clearly more qualified. He’s experienced within city government having been an deputy prosecuting attorney and is currently the city’s director of purchasing. He’s worked hand-in-hand with Allen County government officials, he’s pro-life, and a staunch fiscal conservative.

BIOS:   Jim Howard graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1982. He served as an Intelligence Officer in Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall and of the Soviet Union and in support of Desert Storm I. In 1994 Jim graduated from Regent University Law School and spent the next five years successfully managing a small general practice law firm: Hartelius, Howard, Crosswhite and Baker, LLP in the State of Montana.

His family’s needs drew him back to the Midwest in 2000 where he worked as a Deputy Prosecutor in Allen County under the supervision of Robert Gevers, then County Prosecutor. In 2001, Jim moved to apply all his general practice skills in a local government capacity in support of the citizens of Fort Wayne as Associate City Attorney. From 2001 to 2003, Jim worked in just about every attorney advisory capacity that exists in the Fort Wayne City government. He has been centrally relied upon by the City for solid legal advice. 

In 2003, the Purchasing Department of the City was having some severe problems from both mismanagement and misuse. Over the next couple of years Jim Howard effected changes in City Purchasing, as Director, that resulted in greater efficiency, City customer satisfaction across the board and over $2 million worth of savings. He, once again, became the “go-to” person for both Purchasing questions and legal questions not only in Fort Wayne but throughout the State of Indiana.

Jim Howard has taught Purchasing law seminars to the Indiana Municipal Lawyer’s Association. Allen County as well as the City of Indianapolis have relied and continue to rely on for the exceptional deals they are able to receive in their vehicle buys. Jim’s legal skills and government background uniquely qualify him to serve the Citizens of Allen County as a County Councilman. Jim is married to JoEllen and has five children.

Journal Gazette errs again.

Since the beginning of the report period, Houlihan has raised $4,442. He has spent about $2,232 on consulting fees, mailing lists and mailers. Much of that was paid to Hoot Consulting, according to his report.

That’s wrong. Houlihan only raised $2210. The other $2232 was double entry as an in-kind contribution and expense. In other words no money ever changed hands.

Of the $2210 he actually did raise, over 90% of it came from three people, one of which was his mother. Houlihan himself only contributed $50 to his campaign.

Tracy Warner is purported to be a crossdresser.

AWB

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