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Democratic candidates running for various offices gathered Tuesday at the library to discuss their views to the public.
The first speaker was Jerry McCullum, Democratic candidate for state superintendent of public instruction. McCullum said he's been in education for 38 years. He is currently the superintendent for Whiting schools.
"I thought being state superintendent would be a good way to end my career," said McCullum.
McCullum's main concern is education. "It's been my life," he said. He supports Gov. Frank O'Bannon and his views on education.
"The Democrat Party was the only one doing anything for education," McCullum said.
O'Bannon wants to raise the standards for reading and mathematics and McCullum is for it. He also thinks full day kindergarten should be an option.
"It's important for kids to read," said McCullum. "Reading is more important than math, in my opinion."
McCullum's suggestions stressed reading programs and adults reading to kids.
He also said, "I'm very much a believer of the ESL (English as a Second Language) program."
McCullum also stressed the importance of safety in schools, like handling intruders, bomb scares and people carrying weapons.
"We have to have a safe environment for our students," he said.
Former Warsaw mayor, Dale Tucker, asked McCullum what he planned to do about the lack of patriotism portrayed in the state. Tucker stressed the need to teach patriotism in schools.
McCullum mentioned O'Bannon's character education program. He said the program probably teaches patriotism and stresses the need to vote.
Joe Banks, the candidate for Kosciusko County commissioner, was the next candidate to speak.
Banks' main concern is the construction of the new jail. The jail was built in 1981 and now a new building is going up.
"Building a jail does not strike me as economical development," Banks said.
Banks sees need for more recreational use of land. He pointed out there are no county parks. He said Lake Wawasee is the biggest natural lake in Indiana and it only has one public access.
Banks also addressed the industrial position in Indiana. Indiana has a lot of industrial companies but many people leave the state to get a job after graduating from college.
Banks said Indiana needs to work on getting more high-tech jobs to accommodate Indiana's stress on academics.
On the lack of voters, Banks said "I think it's a community problem."
Melody Sherwood, candidate for county commissioner of the Northern District, spoke next. Sherwood admitted that she didn't know much of what's going on but she does have issues she is concerned about.
Sherwood said she would like to see the police force with more insurance and she would like to improve the animal shelter.
"It's a disaster," she said of the animal shelter. "It's very bad."
She said she is not sure yet how she would handle improving the animal shelter but she has been looking the problem over to get ideas.
The last candidate to speak was Dan Slone, who is running for County Council. He said the sheriff's department is underpaid.
"That' why I've chosen to run," said Slone.
Michelle Boxell, special assistant to U.S. Rep. Tim Roemer, spoke for a minute, too, to update the public on Roemer's campaign. Boxell said Roemer would like to thank everyone for their support.
Roemer's concern is still public schools, said Boxell. Roemer sits on the education committee. "That will continue to be his number one," Boxell said.
Tucker stressed once more at the end of the meeting that people need to get the vote out. Schools need to encourage patriotism. Tucker said people need to take pride in their country and start exercising their right to vote.
