TERRE HAUTE — Three Democrats have filed a written declaration of candidacy to be eligible for a Democratic Party Caucus election to replace David Decker, a former county commissioner.
The caucus will be conducted at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the Vigo County Annex, at First and Oak streets.
Decker agreed to plead guilty in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana to distributing methamphetamine and resign his county position. Decker admitted to distributing 3.25 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.
As of Friday, Joseph Etling, chairman of the Vigo County Democratic Party, said three candidates have filed — Cindy Wallace-Andrews, Michael Ciolli and L. Bryan Kelsheimer.
Cindy Wallace-Andrews, 58, is a former Terre Haute street commissioner, serving under former Mayor Judy Anderson, and is a former superintendent of the Vigo County Highway Department.
She had worked in the county prosecutor’s office and now works in the Harrison Township Assessor’s office. She has worked in local government for 34 years.
Wallace-Andrews ran unsuccessfully against current county Commissioner Judith A. Anderson in the 2004 election.
“I think that it is a job, if you’re elected, where you are the public’s vision and hope for the future, to build a good foundation for our children and grandchildren in our community. I think I have a lot to bring into the office and have a lot of knowledge about government,” Wallace-Andrews said.
“I want to have a lot of contact with the public, because I think they should have the input that they deserve,” she said. Wallace-Andrews said she also would work to improve economic conditions in the county.
Michael Ciolli, 56, is retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he worked from 1976 to 2003. He served as associate warden in the Terre Haute Federal Penitentiary from 1992 to 1994 and his last position was as warden at the Federal Correctional Institute in Pekin, Ill., where he retired from the bureau in 2003.
He then worked as the Vigo County jail commander from 2003 until October 2007 under Sheriff Jon Marvel. Ciolli now does contract work, performing audits on jails.
“Basically, I thought it would be a challenge,” he said. “I worked with the public a lot. I like working with people. I am the type of individual that I like being involved in the community. I came back to Terre Haute [after working for the Bureau of Prisons]. This is my home.
“I think I bring integrity and honesty,” Ciolli said. “I understand the importance of budget oversight and good personnel management. I believe my experience will help me be a good county commissioner in service to the citizens of our community.”
Larry Bryan Kelsheimer, 40, merged his own advertising company last June with another direct advertising company, and now works for Great Deals Savings Magazine. Prior to that, he worked at Morris Plan, where he sought the collection of delinquent loans.
“I am a lifetime resident of Vigo County, at least all of my adult life. I have seen the county grow until this recession hit us. I want to see if we can’t get this county and city back on the map,” he said.
Kelsheimer said his experience as a small business owner will help him work as a commissioner with the County Council on budgets.
He decided to seek the caucus election after working on two campaigns, one for city judge, then for county judge, for current Superior Court Division 6 Judge Michael Lewis.
“I worked behind the scenes and got the itch and thought I will give it a shot,” Kelsheimer said. “I got to know a lot of good people and want to be able to serve those people.”
All candidates must live in District 1. The district covers the eastern third of the county, roughly divided along 19th Street through the city of Terre Haute.
The voting districts include 3A, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 4C, 4D, 6C, 7F, 7G, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8E, 8F, 8G, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F and 9G. Also Lost Creek A, B, C, D; Nevins A, B; Pierson A; and Riley A,B.
Candidates have until 5 p.m. Monday to submit a written declaration of candidacy to Etling.
Howard Greninger can be reached at (812) 231-4204 or howard.greninger@tribstar.com.
Who can vote?
There are 87 precincts. Democratic precinct committee members in those precincts can cast a ballot to select a replacement for the District 1 Vigo County Commissioners seat. Below is a January 2008 list filed at the Vigo County Clerk’s office. Three precincts, 5C, 6C and 3B, have been updated.
Chairman Joseph Etling said the lists are no longer required to be filed with the county clerk and are not considered public record. The lists are kept by the county and state party chairmen. The Indiana Democrat Party rules adopted March 23 do not require the chairman to file a list with the county clerk.
Jim Jenkins, 1A; Norma J. Garrett, 1B; P. Mick Love, 1C; Le Anna K. Moore, 1D; Rita L. Coleman-Alsop, 2A; John Mullican, 2B; Robert H. Lawson Jr., 2C; John Kesler, 2D; Alyse Mansard, 2E; Beverly A. Lester, 2F; None, 3A; Judy Mullican, 3B; Catrina S. Barrett, 3C; Pamela J. Decker, 3D; Robert Fischer, 3E; Thomas E. Hays, III, 3F; Linda L. Calloway, 3G.
Also Karen Calloway, 3H; Karen S. Base, 4A; Judy Chumley, 4B; Clarence Harris,4C; Barbara Ford, 4D; Shelva J. Warner, 5A; E. Nick Peters, 5B; Michael McManaway, 5C; Barbara R. Houston, 5D; Jean E. Bolk, 5E; Jim P. Chalos, 6A; Cheryl Loudermilk, 6B; Monica Van Hook, 6C; Rita J. Kendall, 7A; Sharon A. Hensley, 7B; Patrick Gainor, 7C; Bruce W. Allen Jr., 7D; Patricia R. Mansard, 7E; Pamella Otte, 7F; and Henry Carpenter, 7G.
And Patricia Etling, 8A; Naia Lawson, 8B; Richard J. Shagley, 8C; Mikael Hensley, 8D; Burton L. Mains, 8E; Harold L. Staggs, 8F; Eileen Legg-Wilkinson, 8G; Ramona K. Russell, 9A; Dan Holland, 9B; Patricia Beddow, 9C; Andy Atelski, 9D; Robert J. Grider, 9E; Roger T. McDonald, 9F; Susan G. McCarthy, 9G; Virginia Dunkley, FA-A; Gayle L. Decker, FA-B; Jon R. Marvel, HC-A; Julie Farah Lake, HC-B; Jeffrey Dabelow, HC-C; Clint Crockett, HC-D; Dora May Abel, HC-E; Delores Carbon, HC-F; Sandra D. Myers, HC-G; Kal Ellis, HC-H; and Debbie S. Van Horn, HC-I.
And Christopher B. Gambill, LI-A; Rowdy G. Willams, LC-A; Laura J. Myles, LC-B; Tim Gossett, LC-C; Lois Smith, LC-D; Marietta Herb Cooper, NE-A; Robert E. Moreland, NE-B; Joe McKanna, OC-A; Carolyn Nevins, OC-B; Mike Mahalek, OC-C; Kenney Depass, OC-D; James R. Lewzader, OC-E; John E. Gallion, OC-F; Michael Slagle, OC-G; Janice L. Morris, PC-A; Michael E. Peters, PC-A; Traci Hart, PR-A; Lisa Barbee, RI-A; William C. Bryan, RI-B; James M. Chrisman, SC-A; Larry Likens, SC-B; James W. Bramble, SC-C; Clark Cottom, SC-D; Jim McKinney, SC-E; and Nikki McClain, SC-F.
Local & Bistate
Three file for commissioner seat
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Montford Point Marine
In 1943, 19-year-old Ezell Odom was on the sandy beach of a tiny South Pacific island about 7,000 miles from his parent’s home in Terre Haute.
-
K-9 officer Shadow honored as a hero
A Terre Haute K-9 officer injured in the line of duty has been honored as a hero by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.
-
Freezin’ for a Reason
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
-
Even as law, right-to-work dominates crackerbarrel
The flames of the right-to-work debate were gone, but the coals still seemed to smolder.
-
Vigo School Board to give OK on bonds for DeVaney project
The Vigo County School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building, 686 Wabash Ave.
-
Bridging the gap to ‘forever’
They can be taken from their homes by strangers for reasons they may not understand, with no possessions other than the clothes they are wearing.
-
Students showcase keen problem-solving skills at Rose-Hulman
For the 16th straight year, Honey Creek Middle School students came out on top in the Wabash Valley MATHCOUNTS competition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
Ivy Tech to celebrate Black History Month
Ivy Tech Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events at its campuses statewide.
-
Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
-
Giant welcome home for Steve
Terre Haute was suddenly home to thousands of cheering New York Giants fans Friday as residents welcomed Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford back home for a parade.
-
‘One for Terre Haute,’ Steve tells crowd at North
“This one was for Terre Haute,” native son Steve Weatherford proclaimed Friday as he shared his Super Bowl victory with the community that helped send him on the path to a world championship.
-
Hometown support vital to success, Weatherford says
Steve Weatherford said Friday he wouldn’t be celebrating a Giants’ Super Bowl victory if not for the support he’s received from his hometown, his parents and mentors in his life.
-
Craning for a rare glimpse
A visitor from the Far East has naturalists flying to Linton, hoping some good comes from one bird’s bad directions.
-
Vigo’s primary election filings complete
The slate is set for the May 8 primary election, with the race for three at-large seats on the Vigo County Council drawing the largest pool of candidates at the county level.
-
Documentary on electric vehicles plays Sunday at Rose
The rising popularity of electric vehicles and their impact on the world eco-system is the focus of a documentary, “Revenge of the Electric Car,” being presented at 3 p.m. Sunday in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Hatfield Hall Theater.
-
Man gets 10-year sentence in battery case
A West Terre Haute man received a 10-year prison sentence Friday after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for beating a friend caught in bed with the man’s wife.
-
Asian hooded crane lands in Greene County wildlife area
Bird watchers are flocking to a southwestern Indiana wildlife area to try to catch a glimpse of a crane usually spotted only in Asia.
-
Slow drips: It’s maple syrup season in Indiana
More seasonal, colder temperatures will hit the Wabash Valley this weekend, which is ideal weather for maple syrup production, said Keith Ruble, superintendent of the Vigo County Parks and Recreation Department.
However, Ruble voices concern that this year’s maple syrup season may be short.
-
Downtown restaurant celebrates expansion
The streets of Terre Haute were chilly Thursday night, but for the glow of hot pasta inside Louise’s Pizzeria and Cafe.
-
Contract signed for new Y
Papers are signed and the ink is in place for a new YMCA to operate in Terre Haute.
-
City to impose $30 release fee on towed vehicles
The Terre Haute City Council voted without opposition Thursday to impose a new $30 release fee on vehicles towed and impounded by the police as part of a criminal investigation.
-
Valley educators cautious on Indiana’s ‘No Child’ waiver
Indiana is one of 10 states to receive a waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements.
-
Driver dies after Illinois school bus crash
“Brace yourself. Brace yourself,” Fay Pickering shouted to her students just before the school bus she was driving crossed U.S. 40 and landed in a ditch Thursday morning.
-
Trial date set for former WTH police chief
A July 23 trial date has been set for a former police chief of West Terre Haute accused of theft.
-
Motorcycle gang member pleads guilty in federal court
A member of an Indianapolis motorcycle gang who delivered methamphetamine to a Terre Haute dealer has pleaded guilty to drug charges in federal court.
-
July trial date set for mother charged with child neglect
A July 30 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute mother charged with neglecting and battering her toddler.
-
Business hosting SPPRAK fundraiser
Java Haute is hosting the latest fundraiser sponsored by SPPRAK — Special People Performing Random Acts of Kindness.
-
Valley high school cooking competition under way today
Clabber Girl Corp. and Gordon Food Services will host the fourth-annual High School Chef Competition, beginning today through Saturday, and again Feb. 18, in the Culinary Classroom at Clabber Girl.
- UPDATE: Marshall, Ill., school bus driver involved in accident dies; cause appears to be cardiac-related
-
Terre Haute road name game
What used to be called U.S. 40 from the Wabash River west through West Terre Haute to Interstate 70 needs to be renamed and, probably, get new street addresses, a Vigo County planner recommends.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Androgynous Model Walks Runway As Man and Woman
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Latest Jason Wu Collection Shows Chinese Roots
ShowBiz Minute: Madonna, Beresford-Redman, Pawsc
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Stars Show Support at AMFAR Charity Gala
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Rough Seas Stop Oil Removal
The Muppets Are Oscars Bound!
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
BCBG Kicks Off NY Fashion Week
Lusetich: AT&T Rd. 3 recap
Whitney Houston's body is removed from hotel
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Absolute Lin-sanity
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
Sandusky on having to stay inside and people turning on him
Woolly Mammoth Caught on Camera?
Did JLo 'Assault' Marc Anthony on Camera?
Christie Brinkley's Runway Slip
Toddler forced to run half-naked in snow
