Archive for September, 2010
Have You Checked Your Mailbox Recently?
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Click the photo to enlarge.
________________________________________________________________
Volunteer Appreciation Rally
Posted in Blog, Endorsements, Events | Comments Off
Voter Registration Ends October 4
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
Make Sure You’re Registered
To vote in Indiana, you must:
- Be a United States citizen;
- Be 18 years of age or older on Election Day; and
- Have lived in your precinct continuously for at least 30 days before the next election (except for certain military voters).
- Voter registration ends on October 4, 2010.
- To register online, click here.
Voting Before Election Day
- If you can’t make it to the polls on Election Day or you would prefer to vote before Election Day, you can vote early in person, and no excuse is required. You can vote early in person starting 29 days before the election at the county board of elections.
- To vote using an absentee ballot by mail, your request must have been submitted by 8 days before the election, and it must be received by the close of polls on Election Day (or if you are in a central count county, no later than 12 noon on Election Day).
If you have more questions, visit the Indiana Statewide Voter Registration System website.
What to Bring When You Vote
Here is what you need to bring to the polls:
- Current government-issued photo ID showing a name that matches the voter registration record, displays an expiration date, is current or has expired since Nov. 4, 2008, and was issued by either the State of Indiana or the U.S. government.
- First-time voters who registered to vote by mail also must provide documentation to confirm their residence. Bring ONE of the following:
- Valid photo ID with current address, or
- Current utility bill, or
- Bank statement, or
- Paycheck, or
- Government check, or
- Other government document that shows name and address
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
Letter to the Editor(s)
Friday, September 24th, 2010
Dear Editor,
Voters deserve candidates of high integrity. Simultaneous to my announcement to enter the race, my campaign team and I developed our “Ten Commandments of the Campaign” (created September 16, 2009). You can find them posted on our website: www.SueEllspermann.com. For instance, the 6th commandment states “We will not engage in political mudslinging. Period.” The 10th commandment states “We will, at the end of the campaign, be proud of the journey…whether we win or lose.”
This week several of our supporters alerted us to a “push poll” for which they were called and the pollster suggested, “If Sue was found to have….”, would you support her?”. The issues ranged from me raising the retirement age to 70 (a federal issue) to not paying property taxes (news to my husband and me). I am told that the pollster seeks to find an issue that irritates voters and then builds a negative message around it. Is it legal? Sure. Is it ethical? You decide.
I want to ensure voters of District 74, Democrat, Republican and Independents alike, that if you were or are called, these wild scenarios are without merit. And, second, my campaign will not resort to these tactics. You do not deserve to be manipulated and neither do I nor the incumbent deserve to have our positions and lives distorted. If you are contacted with a mailing, call or contact that ”lacks integrity” relating to me or the incumbent, you are welcome to contact me directly at (812) 489-0737 or Sue@SueEllspermann.com.
Voters, you have been kind and gracious at events and at your doors. Likewise, you have been courteous and kind to our volunteers and, particularly, my Dad and his merry team of drivers as they cruise District 74 in our “truck”. I am proud to represent you.
This election is not about gimmicks. It should not be about mudslinging. It should be about the issues. Our listening sessions, door-to-door visits, and numerous community meetings have suggested that real economic development: good jobs and career opportunities for you and your children are your highest priority. Next on the list are high quality K-12 education for our children, vibrant communities, and protecting the sanctity of life. The incumbent and I have different strengths, abilities and track records on these issues. I encourage you to learn more about each of us. In particular, I invite you to join the incumbent and me October 7, 6:30 p.m. CDT at the Dale Lincoln Heritage Public Library Town Hall sponsored by Constitution First!.
Now, let’s have a great race…and may the voters of District 74 have the opportunity to decide between two qualified candidates.
Sue Ellspermann, PhD
Candidate for State Representative District 74
Sue@SueEllspermann.com
(812) 489-0737
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
Conservative Values for Challenging Times
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010
Indiana is not yet out-of-the woods. Statewide unemployment remains just over 10%; our local unemployment is a bit more positive measuring about 8%. State revenues remain disappointing reflecting the reduced business activity and family incomes of Hoosiers. Experts predict that the 2011-13 budget to be passed in the 2011 “long” legislative session will be the most difficult budget in the last 30 years.
I understand that you do not raise taxes during tough economic times. We may, if revenues do not increase, continue to find ways to tighten our belts even more. We must use fiscal constraint and understand that developing “lean government”, just like “lean manufacturing” will pay dividends into the future as the economy turns and we operate both efficiently and effectively. My training as an industrial engineer and problem solver, has taught me that these tough times provide the motivation to make changes and improvements. They make us search to deploy each penny of your taxpayer money in the most effective manner.
As importantly, we must focus on helping Indiana create more jobs. We should focus on attracting and growing not only our large industries, but new start-ups and smaller high tech firms. We particularly need to develop specific legislation to encourage entrepreneurship and new business growth in our rural communities. Our rural communities have not seen the prosperity of Indiana’s larger metropolitan areas. We need to close that gap. If we don’t, we’ll be looking at continued population shrinkage to our rural communities. Conservatives know that government doesn’t create jobs; small businesses do. Rural communities need more economic tools to encourage business growth and investment. (more…)
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
29 Days to November 2!
Monday, September 13th, 2010
Just 29 days until one of the most important elections of our time. Over 60% of Americans believe our country is moving in the wrong direction. Our economy is not yet “out of the woods”. Hoosier unemployment is running just over 10%. And, we don’t yet know what the cost of the federal healthcare legislation will be to our state. As a result, Indiana will have the most challenging budget to draft in 30 years.
I am a fiscal conservative who will ensure we live within our means…just as your family does. I will not support tax increases during a time when Hoosier families are already trying to live on less. I will be a STRONG voice for economic development and job creation for southwest Indiana. I have offered very concrete strategies for attracting new high value industry, incenting entrepreneurship, and creating meaningful career opportunities for our young people.
Our local economies will not thrive without a strong educational system: K-12 and access to higher education. I will support legislation that allows teachers to focus on teaching, simply put. Do not listen to the “scare tactics” of those who say a Republican won’t support education. There is nothing less true. I am married to an educator and school administrator, Jim Mehling. I hold a PhD in engineering. My youngest daughter is a third year teacher in a tough urban school setting. I will treat and respect educators as the professionals they are and work with education to help create and pursue solutions that work, especially during these tough economic times.
Finally, we must ensure pro-life legislation gets a hearing in the House of Representatives to hearing pro-life legislation…which will pass if allowed to make it to the floor. I am endorsed by Indiana Right to Life and will be honored to support the sanctity of life in the State House.
Your vote and the votes of your neighbors and friends are critical. Please help us get the word out that change is in the air! Post a “Sue for State Rep” yard sign in your yard. Let it be known that you are not afraid of, but embrace a change in leadership for District 74!
Sue Ellspermann, PhD
Candidate for State Representative District 74
Sue@SueEllspermann.com
(812) 489-0737
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
In Memory of September 11
Saturday, September 11th, 2010
It is fitting that people across America and beyond will observe a moment of prayer for those who died, were injured, lost family members or were impacted by the tragedy of 9-11. Our world was changed as terrorists shook us to our core through their unfathomable attacks.
My daughters and I visited New York City just two weeks after the attack. Instead of church Sunday morning, we travelled to Ground Zero to pray at the World Trade Center site where fire continued to smolder, rescue workers and the Red Cross continued their duties, and numerous memorials had been set up for those who lost their lives. Though we could sense their anguish, we could not begin to feel the tragedy and loss of these families for their loved ones….a son, a daughter, a grandchild, a husband, a wife.
So, we prayed…at each memorial. There were no words to say, just our unspoken cry to God to help these families heal, to help our country overcome this horrifying experience, and to help us forgive these unconscionable acts. Luke’s verse resounds in my mind, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.”
There is no question that our country will forever be changed by the acts of September 11. May God bless those who have been touched by this tragedy. May God heal those who continue to hurt. And, may God throw a blanket of security over our country as there are those who still seek to destroy us.
God bless America.
Sue Ellspermann, PhD
Candidate for State Representative District 74
Sue@SueEllspermann.com
(812) 489-0737
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
Help Wanted: New Leadership
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
I estimate that 2 of each 5 people with whom I speak asks how we can get new leadership in government. They see “old style” politics with one side becoming indignant or forcing their agenda on the other as unacceptable. When they elect their representatives to local, state or national offices, voters expect these elected officials to put politics aside and work for them, not for re-election.
I am not a “politician”. I have never before run for political office. I am a professional problem-solver and facilitator. Let me explain how these are different.
A politician works for his or the party’s agenda. A problem-solver looks for the best solution to moves things forward. The problem-solver will do his/her best to bring the facts and perspectives to the table in the development of a problem statement that the larger group agrees to and then finds a solution that many agree with and others can “live with”. This is defined as consensus. Further, Einstein said, “A problem well stated is half solved”. I know that to be true. If we can gain consensus on the key challenges that face our state and region, we can solve them. Rather than trying to play “gotcha” with the other party, we should focus on the real challenges in education, job creation, and social services and then focus on generating options for which we carefully evaluate.
A politician is concerned with re-election. A facilitator understands that his/her only role is to help all stakeholders to a problem or situation find a good solution and to move forward accordingly. As a 25-year consultant, I understand that job security comes from serving each client well every day. And, I promise not to overstay my welcome as a legislator. I shut down my 20-year consultancy when I felt I no longer had a “fire in my belly” every day. I will do the same as your elected official.
A facilitator/problem solver cares more about doing what is right than what is politically correct. They see value in perspectives and ideas outside their own party. They will search for facts that both support and put into question their own point of view. They will help others generate ideas and move solutions forward that benefit the greater good. They see the big picture (state and national level) and they understand the difficulty at ground level (individuals and families in the district). They are grounded in strong moral and ethical behaviors. They understand that doing it right may be the more difficult and, possibly, not the most expedient path, but still the correct way to proceed.
Facilitators understand that sometimes the most important role is managing the process of problem solving. They know that in the long run, if they can demonstrate and teach good problem solving skills and provide an option to less “partisan politics”, they will, in fact, be doing the greatest service to the people they serve…re-elected or not.
I have no aspiration to become a lifetime politician. I have three goals: to grow southwest Indiana’s prosperity and quality of life; to demonstrate how good problem solving, facilitation and nonpartisan behavior can lead to good outcomes; and to help transform our Indiana Legislature into a higher performing “team” serving all Hoosiers. If these are worthy goals to you, I hope you will invest your vote in me this November.
Sue Ellspermann, PhD
Candidate for State Representative District 74
Sue@SueEllspermann.com
(812) 489-0737
Posted in Blog | Comments Off
Labor Day: A Celebration of America’s World Class Workforce
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
For most families, Labor Day marks the end of summer and a long weekend in which to host barbeques and family gatherings. However, it is important to recognize that Labor Day was made a national holiday to recognize the contributions of American workers and the unions that represented them as they fought for safe working conditions, fair wages and fair treatment. Today’s labor laws and human resource practices are a result of those efforts many years ago.
American workers are the backbone of the American economy. It is the ingenuity, work ethic and intelligence of the American worker which has allowed our country to create a First World economy that is the envy of the world. It is that same ingenuity, work ethic and intelligence that will be required to keep America’s economy strong. As innovative technologies allow us to introduce new cutting edge products, new methods and efficiencies, the ability for American workers to build new skills and master these new opportunities is critical. In Indiana Department of Workforce Development publishes “Hot Jobs”, providing a list of the top 50 jobs in which we see growth coming. You can find the full list at: Hoosier Hot 50 Jobs. We are Economic Growth Region (EGR) 11 if you want to focus on local opportunities.
If you feel you are in a “dead end” or vulnerable job, consider what it might take to “retool”. It is never too late. I recall going to class for my master’s degree pregnant with my second child and feeling too old to be on a college campus. Today we see adults of all ages and backgrounds pursuing new careers. A quarter of USI’s students are “nontraditional”. You will find an even higher number at Ivy Tech and in vocational trades. My prayer to each of you is that you find a job that fits your gifts and talents in a way that benefits others while providing economic security for you and your family. For some, that is construction and building trades. For others it is nursing, teaching, and social services. And, for still others it is research, development and engineering…along with hundreds more careers. We need all these skills to create a diverse regional economy. And, last, but certainly not least, we need some to take the plunge to start and grow your own business so that you can create jobs that will provide for the livelihood of our friends and neighbors.
It continues to be my pleasure to meet you at your door as I travel across all Perry, Spencer, Warrick and Dubois counties. My shoes are well traveled. My knuckles are well worn. Your welcoming attitude is much appreciated. In every case, I come home each evening more knowledgeable and appreciative of the folks I hope to have the privilege to represent in the state legislature this coming year.
Happy Labor Day and blessings to all who call themselves “workers”. May God protect you and provide for the needs of you and your family.Sue Ellspermann, PhD
Candidate for State Representative District 74
Sue@SueEllspermann.com
(812) 489-0737
Posted in Blog | Comments Off