Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
She's been at the plate before.
She hit a home run and served as mayor of Huntingburg from 1988 to 1996. She hit a home-run as the vice president of Nass & Sons Inc., from 1975 to the present.
Now, Republican Connie Nass is up at the plate for the state auditor position in November.
The state auditor is the bookkeeper for the state. The auditor processes seven million checks and more than $27 billion in federal and state funds each year, Nass said Thursday.
Nass visited Kosciusko County Thursday during a tightly scheduled introduction to Indiana communities. She brought with her ideas that she hopes will guarantee her a grand slam.
Her biggest idea may be what people can do, not what government can do, she said.
"Government can lead, but people make the difference," she said.
Nass said she's proven that formula while mayor of Huntingburg. She said that through her work, she helped turn the attitude of the people around. She said she helped the people increase the success of local business and increase tourism.
Another reason Nass said she's qualified is her background in business. Her management skills as mayor will also be a beneficial factor, she said.
Her office reduced taxes to the lowest they've been in Huntingburg since the 1960s and created many new jobs, Nass said. As mayor, she was required to run four utility companies and balance the budget. She said she was successful and her skills in that endeavor will help her as state auditor.
Huntingburg also hosted the production of the movie, "A League of Their Own," starring Madonna, Tom Hanks and Rosie O'Donnell. Information released by Nass's campaign said she was instrumental in convincing the producers to film some of the movie there. The 1998 film, "Hard Rain," and the HBO production, "Soul of the Game," were also filmed in Huntingburg.
Goals that Nass wants to achieve as state auditor include selecting qualified persons to work with her in her department. The state auditor has a budget of $4.6 million and employs 80 people. She wants those people to set goals that will help the whole state.
Many people don't know what the job of the auditor is, Nass said, because they never hear about it.
"You shouldn't hear about the auditor's office if they're doing a good job," she said.
The job of the state auditor is to disburse funds to cities, departments and organizations. The state auditor pays the state's bills.
State employee payroll is sent to the auditor on diskette from more than 130 agencies. The auditor calculates deductions, taxes and savings programs. Nass said it would be an impossible task to do without a computer.
A computer with the latest technology will improve the state auditor's job, she said. By improving the job, she said, it will lower the cost of the auditor's department.
Nass has driven more than 51,000 miles since beginning her campaign, she said. Next Wednesday, her campaign will begin a bus tour to every corner of the state.
She will meet Democrats and Republicans, reporters and citizens, she said. She said that regardless of their affiliated party, she would be able to understand their viewpoints.
"I was very successful in working with an opposition party (as mayor). It taught me a lot," Nass said.
