Candidates Night | Hometown Happenings
Tuesday, October 29th, 2019, 6 pm Meet & Greet, 7 pm Candidates Forum
First United Methodist Hall, 352 S. Main, Crown Point, IN
Mayor:
Dave Uran (D)
Why are you running for Mayor? The City of Crown Point is a vibrant community that has been voted the “Best Place to Live” in Northwest Indiana for (10) ten consecutive years. As your Mayor, I want to continue to lead this vision and the team work needed with our residents, business owners, teachers, and city employees to maintain our strong community values. After all, I believe they are directly responsible for our city gaining this distinct recognition.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? I am committed to keeping Crown Point with the lowest city municipal tax rate in NWI (Lake, Porter, & LaPorte). This low tax rate will help us entice smart growth in both residential and commercial properties. Also allowing our current inventory of properties to reinvest – this will keep your property values strong, maintain a low tax rate, and leverage our assets to meet our community needs. Second, I will continue to invest in our Public Safety – Police, Fire, and EMA Divisions to meet our community’s needs. Finally, I will continue to advocate for quality public infrastructure with our utilities (Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater) and our city roads with complete street programs and upgrades.
What are the challenges you see facing the city? The real challenge is raising the awareness to our community that smart growth is essential and necessary in order to maintain our low tax rate but more importantly protect your property values. If there is an anti-growth stance by the Mayor – this will have a harmful effect to our overall city and your property values. There is a vision in place, and it’s has been an award-winning formula for more than a decade!
Favorite Quote: I introduced a slogan that has guided my leadership as Mayor for our community since 2008 “Building a Stronger Community from Within” – it’s inclusive and promotes positive team work!
What are some of your favorite places to go in our City? I really enjoy jogging on our city streets, it gives me a chance to relax and recharge myself. It also keeps me in-tuned with our neighborhood’s infrastructure as well. But our downtown square is my absolute favorite – I really enjoy time spent with family and friends as well as show casing our community’s historical and quaint downtown.
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with and why? My mom, she passed away on December 10, 2008 shortly after I was elected – She has never seen me in office – I think she would be very proud of how dedicated I am as a husband, father, and to my community. I love and miss my mom!
If the City is under attack by a super villain – Which superhero do call to save the day? Flash – we live in a society that we need instant and quick results – Flash, I believe, hits all the necessary needs of today – super fast, provides positive results, loves social media, a funny personality, and he is not as expensive as the other superheroes to hire! 😊
Kristie Dressel (R)
Why are you running for Mayor? I am running for the Mayor of the City of Crown Point due to the reckless spending and back room deals.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? The top 4 priorities are 1) To eliminate 4 attorneys. 2) To reduce the bond debt. 3) To get our credit back up to Aa3. And 4) my final priority would be to find away do stop the congested traffic
What are the challenges you see facing the city? The challenges I see facing the City are that we are building too fast that our streets cannot keep up with the flow of traffic. We are bumper to bumper on 109th.
Favorite Quote: My favorite quote is do onto other as you want them to do onto you
What are some of your favorite places to go in our City? I love to go to the Fairgrounds.
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with and why? The one person I would love to have lunch with is my son Andrew. He passed away 4 years ago. He was 26 years old. I would just want one more lunch.
If the City is under attack by a super villain – Which superhero do call to save the day? Wonder Woman!
Shelli Vandenburgh (D)
>Why are you running for office? I am running for Clerk-Treasurer to bring compassion and an open door to the citizens in our community. As a former bookkeeper and Director for the Lake County Clerk’s Office, I am the most qualified candidate for the job. My prior experience includes supervising a large staff and balancing multi-million-dollar accounts. Also, as a former elected official, I have a proven record of serving with honesty and integrity.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? One of my first priorities will be to reduce or eliminate on-line fees associated with paying city utility bills on-line. In addition, my office will have an open door to all department heads, elected officials and residents. Also, I plan to work closely with the mayor and city council members to ensure your tax dollars are accounted for and are being utilized according to state guidelines.
What are the challenges you see facing our city? The City is currently developing at a rapid pace. The choices in residential housing and types of businesses brought in today will shape our city for generations. The expansion of existing roads and sewers to keep pace with growth is a challenge. Additionally, our existing schools are near capacity, which will be an issue for taxpayers and our school corporation in the near future.
Do you have a favorite quote or a quote you live your life by? “Believe you can and you’re half way there.” Theodore Roosevelt
What are some of your favorite places to go in our city? Hands down, my favorite place in our city is our Grand Old Lady (Lake County Historic Courthouse). Since I was a child, I have walked the halls inside and the sidewalks around the square. Many memories have been made there with family and friends.
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with & why? My mother. I have lived twelve years without her and would love to have a hug and be in mother’s arms again. She was my best friend and lived her life with compassion for others. My mother was everything I aspire to be.
Just for fun: The City is under attack by a super villain, which one superhero do you call to save the day?Because of my strong faith, the only “superhero” I would trust to save Crown Point is Jesus Christ.
Dave Benson (R) –
Why re you running for office? I am currently running to continue my 30 years of dedicated proven True Blue public service to our city in another capacity. Our current Clerk-Treasurer is leaving the office and I can provide a smooth transition with my familiarity of our city business and supervisory experience. With my duties at the police department, I currently administer 3 city line items in our budget. I am also very familiar with our city department heads and their employees, elected officials, and processes of our city government.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? My top priorities for the next 4 years is to: *Bring “Compassion” and “Common Sense” back to the day-to-day climate of the office *Enhance efficiency with new technologies and cross training of employees *Restore the “Chief Deputy” expertise *Renew Department and Business relationships
What are the challenges you see facing our City? The challenges I see facing Crown Point is city leadership responsibly managing our growth and being open to the implementation of futuristic ideas and technologies.
Do you have a favorite quote or a quote you live your life by? My quote that I live by is the “Golden Rule” to do unto others as you would have them to do onto you.
What are some of your favorite places to go in the City? My favorite places to go in our city is our courthouse square, our wonderful schools, and my family home.
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with & why? I would love to have lunch with my father. Cancer took him from our family when I was 6 years old. I believe he oversees me and walks with me, I have so many questions for him about his childhood and interests is his young life.
For fun: The City is under attack by a super villain. Which one superhero do you call to save the day? The superheros in my eyes are around us. These are our professional police officers and firemen of the Crown Point Police and Fire Departments. They handle evil, mayhem accidents, illness, and injury every day right in front of us!
City Judge:
Kent A Jeffirs (R)
Why are you running for office? I am running for re-election as your Crown Point City Judge because I truly enjoy my work over the last 16 years as Judge of the Crown Point City Court including efficiently and fairly handling all the City’s many cases, spearheading all the improvements we made to the City Court in staffing, locations, updated computer and online systems, and providing community service, counseling and outreach services to our citizens. Aside from my track record of accomplishments in office, I believe I am the most qualified candidate as a Crown Point attorney with 27 years experience, a Judge for the last 16 years, and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, with honors, and Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Magna Cum Laude. I have worked hard for 16 years to improve our City Court including establishing Ordinance & Infraction Deferral Programs and a Probation Dept, and expanding our Court staff, equipment and computer systems (including Odyssey in 2019) and youth education programs.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? Our top priority is fully implementing the Odyssey Statewide Court Computer System by the City Court. We have been working hard on this project for three years and finally “went live” online on April 22, 2019. The Odyssey System allows greater public access to Court information, e-filing of cases, and allows the public to view and pay tickets online without having to appear in Court. Anther priority is properly managing the City Court’s current move to the Civic Center to obtain better amenities, including a parking area, new computers to operate Odyssey, a larger Clerks’ office with a public help counter and no longer having to pay rent. My third and always a top priority is of course to continue the swift, efficient and fair administration of justice for the benefit of our citizens, our City and our police department.
What are the challenges you see facing our City? As a result of Crown Point being such a desirable place to live, work, and participate in sports and leisure activities, we now have the largest population, largest development and new construction, and largest police force in our City’s history. With that growth comes great responsibility to manage that growth in a way that can best preserve our “hometown feel” and continue to meet the needs of our citizens, which for the City Court means keeping up with the caseload and continuing strong enforcement of our City Ordinances and state laws.
Do you have a favorite quote or a quote you live your life by? “The only thing that can stop you in life is yourself and time.”
What are some of your favorite places to go in our City? The downtown square is always my favorite. I have been a business owner on the Square since purchasing my law office building at 104 W. Clark Street in 1998. The vast amount of small town businesses, activities and events on the Square continues to keep our downtown vibrant and a destination place for our citizens and people from near and far. From the early days of the Cornroast and Taste of Crown Point which I helped run as a Board Member of the Crown Point Chamber of Commerce to officiating weddings and the renewal of vows as our City Judge on the old Courthouse steps each June as part of the “Marriage Mill Celebration”, I love working on and having fun on the Square. I also enjoyed my first ever attempt at ice skating at Bulldog Park last December.
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with & why? I would like to have a lunch with Abraham Lincoln. He lead our nation through the most divisive period of time in our nation. I would love to hear his thoughts and wisdom on how to help move our country and its leaders forward today in this new era of divisive partisanship.
The City is under attack by a super villain? Which one superhero do you call to save the day? I would call on Captain America. He has the longest view and best perspective of our nation having been protecting it since WWII and has the super strength and skills coupled with our American ideals to get the job done right.
Casey J McCloskey (D)
City Council Council At Large:
Scott Evorik (R) –
James Crook (R) –
Why are you running? As a longtime resident of Crown Point, I have gained experience both as a business owner/operator in the private sector and as a member of the Crown Point Board of Public Works & Safety in the public sector. I believe through my experience, I can effectively make quality decisions and balance the needs of the community within the roles of government. I will continue to work with all for the betterment of ALL Crown Point residents!
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? 1) Provide our public safety departments with the tools, training, and funding necessary to maintain our community as one of the safest places to live in Indiana. 2) Maintain / increase the quality of life of ALL Crown Point residents 3) Budget improvements to our City infrastructure (streets, curb, water etc) new and old, while maintaining Crown Point’s historic charm. 4) Being a steward of the public tax dollars, I will demand fiscally smart and efficient government from all facets of the City.
What are the challenges you see facing our City? The biggest challenges I see is the constant need to update and improve the quality of our public infrastructure. Crown Point lies in a geographic location that wreaks havoc on our roads, curbs, sewer and waters systems. Maximizing the public dollar for these projects is essential in making sure we provide our residents with the amenities they deserve. Additionally, Crown Point has been blessed with a mass of residents and businesses that want to take part in the Crown Point Community. While this is a good problem, there is a specific challenge on how we grow as a community and maintain our identity. The goal is to encourage the growth so long as it complements the established parts of CP.
Do you have a favorite quote or a quote you live your life by? If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. (Milton Berle)
Wealth isn’t measured by an account, it is measured by the people you can account for that you love. (myself)
What are some of your favorite places to go in our City? White Hawk Country Club for golf and dinner, Umi for Sushi, Tavern on Main for a cocktail, A bench on the square to think.
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with & why? I can’t pick one I would have to say both of my grandfathers,Crook and Shaughnessy, truly great men both with immeasurable hearts! They both loved golf and were not very good like myself, but we all loved the game! I would enjoy just sitting with both of them for a day and talk about anything. You never realize the conversations you would love to have until you are unable to have them. Those would be the 2 people.
The City is under attack by a super villain? Which one superhero do you call to save the day? The Hulk
Zack Bryan (D) –
Why are you running? -I am a person that enjoys getting involved in events and organizations. Running for office is in many ways similar to belonging or getting involved in clubs, HOAs or other organizations. At its core, this type of involvement revolves around service for the betterment of the club, or in this case, the City of Crown Point and its residents.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? Over the next few years I would like to see continued improvement, handled responsibly, in the areas of infrastructure, emergency services, and quality of life amenities. With the growth the city is experiencing, the obligation to maintain and modernize roads, sewers, and water treatment plants falls upon the elected officials. With the influx of new residents it’s also important that the city maintain its excellent reputation and response times with respect to emergency services. Similarly, as someone who walks and rides a bike to work as often as I can, I think it is important for the city to cultivate a culture where residents are less intimidated to use alternative modes of transportation. Not only does this create a healthier city, but this can also reduce traffic on already congested roads.
What are the challenges you see facing our City? Many of the challenges currently facing the officials are very positive in nature. Since Crown Point is a very safe city with excellent schools and a vibrant community, we are attracting a lot of people who are looking to move here. Officials in this city need to carefully balance this growth with the ability to provide city services. The growth we are experiencing needs to be done in a manner that preserves the charm and historical nature that attracted all of us to this wonderful city in the first place.
Do you have a favorite quote or a quote you live your life by? I try to live my life by the golden rule or categorical imperative, which can be summarized as acting in a way that your actions would become universal.
What are some of your favorite places to go in our City? This is a tough question, but if I were to answer this by the place I visit most often, it would be the bike trail. When the weather is nice I am using the trail a few times per week. A close second would be the old Lake Courthouse or the Old Sheriff’s House. I am proud that this city has such a dedicated group of people that are committed to preserving our structures of historical and architectural significance.
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with & why? It’s tough to pick just one, but I think Jesus Christ would be my choice. I can picture us having lunch and talking about how modern theology lines up with the intent outlined in the New Testament.
For Fun Question – The City is under attack by a super villain? Which one superhero do you call to save the day? Lately there has been a lot of talk about how underrated Ant Man is because of his uncanny ability to shrink down to the size of an ant and reappear in areas where you least expect it. I enjoy a good underdog story so I would put money on Ant Man saving the day.
Melvin Douglas Craig III (D) – While Melvin is still on the ballot, he has ended his campaign & will not be running. We wish him all the best!
City Council District 1:
Chad J Jeffries (D)
City Council District 2:
Robert Clemons (R) –
Dawn Stokes (D)Why are you running? I am running for 2nd District City Council in CP because I have lived in CP most of my life and believe it is my time to do my part in securing the future of the city.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years?
City Council District 3:
Andrew Kyres (D)
For fun: The City is under attack by a super villain? Which one superhero do you call to save the day? Superman
City Council District 4:
Tina Stath (D)
Why are you running? To be able to contribute to the community I live in, using my previous work experience. When tackling issues, it is important to have a councilperson that is actively and sincerely engaged on a consistent basis with the community. If elected, I plan to do just that – engaging with the constituents of District #4, on a face to face basis, for as long as I hold office.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? Facilitating continued growth for our city but also balancing that growth with a combination of what is good for the community and our environment.
What are the challenges you see facing our city? The two topics that consistently pop up in my door to door conversations with voters is growth and traffic, especially along Broadway. While it is of course important for any city to grow and evolve, I think finding a more balanced approach to that growth is important in upholding the unique character of Crown Point.
Do you have a favorite quote or a quote you live your life by? Busy hands are Happy Hands!
What are some of your favorite places to go in our city? Artful Garden on Main St. & Indiana St., especially walking the backyard of Artful during early summer – it is a botanical paradise. I love the Erie Lackawanna trail starting at North Street, and the best girls softball fields, ever built, at Bulldog Park.
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with & why? My Grandmother, Violet. It is almost 100 Years ago that she came to this country, docking at Ellis Island, 22 years of age, unaccompanied, and she did not speak English. She became a Naturalized citizen, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a devoted voter. She worked for what some take for granted, and what others are still working towards today.
The City is under attack by a super villain? Which one superhero do you call to save the day? I’d pick the Guardians of the Galaxy – they get things done but also have fun doing it.
Laura Sauerman (R)
Why are you running? I’m running for re-election because there are some projects in the “pipeline” that I would like to see come to completion. I think my voting record has shown me to be fiscally conservative, a promoter of controlled appropriate growth and a champion of public safety. As a part of the committee that brought the Seward Johnson statues to town and the building committee, my commitment to quality of life amenities is evident. I love Crown Point – It’s been a privilege to serve my district the past 14 years.
City Council District 5:
Carol Drasga (R)
Why are you running? I would like to complete the new police station/government center. Our current police station needs more space and safety is a priority for our citizens. A new facility will provide a faster response to all citizens of Crown Point. Currently the lot for the building is on the corner of Indiana Ave and North St.
The city has purchased the land is turning an eyesore (the old green house) into a viable and attractive corner.
Our city hall is not set up for handicapped citizens. Access to the council chambers is not ideal for our handicapped residents. Current office space is beyond capacity and there is a need for a joint police/government center.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? Top priority is to maintain our current safety standards for Crown Point residents. Crown Point has well trained officers and we need to continue to provide police to meet both current and a growing population. Fire Safety is also important and we need to continue to meet the demands of a growing population.
What are the challenges you see facing our city? Growth is the change for the city. We want to maintain smart growth. Continue to pour energy into our downtown so it remains active and alive. We also want to see restaurants, medical, office space on the Broadway. It is vital we carefully monitor the expansion of Broadway to maintain that home town feel we so love in Crown Point.
Do you have a favorite quote or a quote you live your life by? Measure twice, cut once.
What are some of your favorite places to go in our city? Artful garden, Crown Feed, Library
The City is under attack by a super villain? Which one superhero do you call to save the day? Wonder Woman
James A. Myers (D)
Why are you running? As a lifelong resident of Crown Point, I have a deep passion for our city. This is where my wife and I live, work, play and want to contribute to make our city the very best in the Midwest! My priorities as member of the City Council will be transparency, my commitment to proactively provide information to people in the 5th district, and be very accessible at all times.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? In the next 4 years, we need to continue the expansion of current main roads in town as well as in and out of the city. Expand and better organize our surface streets to help relieve traffic congestion. Develop new facilities for parking in our downtown area. The construction of new Police, Fire and Emergency Services facilities. The development of a comprehensive 30 year plan for the city.
What are the challenges you see facing our City? Infrastructure, investment in expansion of Police, Fire, and all emergency services and neighborhood redevelopment.
Do you have a favorite quote or a quote you live your life by? Never look back and say “if only”
What are some of your favorite places to go in our City? Really just enjoying seeing our unique neighborhoods, the Courthouse and the fairgrounds.
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with & why? My Father and Mother, they didn’t get to finish their stories and it would be wonderful to get their thoughts on what those missing chapters would have said.
The City is under attack by a super villain? Which one superhero do you call to save the day?Superman, he was an unassuming, ordinary, decent person. Mild mannered reporter for the Daily Planet, He fought for truth, justice and the American way! Just like our Military and first responders do every single day.
Winfield Town Council
Joe Mays
Why are you running for office? In 2005, my wife and I were looking for a home to put down roots and raise a family. When looking at a Winfield home with our realtor, I remember my 2 or-3-year-old sister-in-law sitting on the porch petting the neighbor’s cat while we were enjoying the yard and land; it was in that moment that we knew this would be our home. We bought that 100+ year old house, made it our home, built our family, and have a million great memories here, complete with kids, community, dogs, cats, and even horses. We continue to create Winfield memories every day. In short, Winfield is our home.
I’m running for town council because I want to see Winfield continue to grow while maintaining the things we love about it. I want to be a part of assuring our small town way of life by investing time, energy and resources into Winfield, as I have through the Winfield Community Foundation, the Winfield Redevelopment Commission, school fundraisers and regularly attending Winfield Town Council meetings.
I am asking you to elect me to the Winfield Town Council, to bring your voice to the table, to make a difference on important issues and to strengthen our community roots.
What are your top priorities in the next 4 years? 1) Preserve and grow our community’s values. 2) Make a difference in the important issues facing our community. 3) Help drive solutions for 109th Ave.
What are the challenges you see facing our City? Our rapidly growing community is outpacing the capacity of our roads.
Do you have a favorite quote or a quote you live your life by? “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Ghandi
What are some of your favorite places to go in Winfield? We enjoy the new Randolph Street park and I’ve been going to yoga in the park (my family doesn’t get up early enough for it!)
Who is the one person, living or dead, you would like to have lunch with & why? Dale Carnegie, for the inspiration.
For fun: Winfield is under attack by a super villain? Which one superhero do you call to save the day? Spider-man. I’m a loyal guy – Spider-man was my favorite as a kid.