Editor, Times-Union: I have two more years remaining in my term as your county councilman at-large, so I am not running for office this year, but I have been watching the other election campaigns. From my perspective, I would like to ask you to keep a few things in mind as you go to the polls to vote. What I have been seeing this election season is more negative campaigning than Kosciusko County has seen before, which saddens me. I am seeing statements that are not true, and personal attacks that are not fair. In trying to unseat an incumbent, some candidates are focusing on only one or two issues, or making only negative attacks, instead of talking more about their own qualifications. It is sad to say, but you just cannot believe every campaign slogan, or press release, or ad of a candidate running against an incumbent. Once I was elected, I quickly learned there was absolutely no way to please all the people, all the time. Some decisions have been tough to make, and sometimes I have had no real choice in my decision, because of state or federal requirements. And most often, because of the position and doing the job every day, I had more information than the public had available to them. I am asking you to, please, be open-minded and fair-minded, and look at the total individual. We need intelligent, honest, experienced and dedicated people who will commit to attend the meetings, perform research on issues, and make the hard decisions for the overall good of the county. I have actually heard folks say they voted for the person with the most yard signs! Before you vote, please do your own research, attend the candidate meetings around the county, or ask someone you trust. Please do not just vote for the people who say what you want to hear. It is easy to say negative things and make promises during a campaign. Our county needs elected officials of integrity and experience to keep it strong. Robert “Bob” Sanders County Councilman At-Large Warsaw, via email
