My Statement in Regards to My Opponent’s Call for a Special Election
December 22nd, 2015December 21, 2015 ~
This morning, Mr. Schuetter asked me to join him in call for a special election. I find it interesting that there was no call for a special election on November 4. In fact, there was a willingness to let the Council decide – to let the law prevail. Under the same election law, I filed for a recount.
The recount, overseen by a Superior Court judge, with representatives agreed to by both parties and conducted with full public scrutiny, concluded with me being declared the winner by one vote. The law has prevailed and I will continue to serve as Jasper’s mayor.
In regards to the recount results, Indiana law requires that the entire ballot may not be counted unless the ballot is endorsed properly. The Indiana Supreme Court has declared this law TO BE CONSTITUTIONAL. As to any voter disenfranchisement, I submit Mr. Schuetter and his team were well prepared to disenfranchise the two votes that were argued on his behalf.
This election was a clean process with no evidence of overwhelming fraud or mistake. In fact, I’m glad to have an opportunity to compliment Dubois County Clerk Bridgette Jarboe, the county election board and the dozens of election workers – of both parties – involved.
Concerning Mr. Schuetter’s call for a special election, Indiana Code calls for certain standards pursuant to which a special election may be petitioned. There is no legal precedent for holding a special election under the circumstances with which we are currently presented. In addition, the time and cost involved in a special election would be burdensome on the tax payers of Jasper. A special election under the law is NOT warranted, nor will I agree to one.
The reputation of the City of Jasper will not be tarnished by this event. To the contrary, citizens should be proud my campaign for re-election was honest, forthright, and legal, by every standard. I have conducted each of my four municipal campaigns in this same manner and I am proud of our campaign team, volunteers and supporters.
The determination of the duly appointed recount commission is FINAL. It is time to move forward and as the duly elected Mayor of the City of Jasper I am going to do just that.