For years, Miami County voters have complained that there are no choices, but this year will be different and voters will not have the “no choices” excuse come November 4.  On June 1, four outstanding candidates for the county election were added to the November ballot by a caucus of the Miami County Democratic Party.

• Pat Arrick is vying for Commissioner, District 1.  Pat is retired from 31 years as a senior electrical engineer at Square D Co.  Presently, he is raising cattle on the family farm in Butler township, the fourth generation to live there.  Pat brings some desperately needed skills to the office including extensive experience in large construction projects worldwide and experience with various certifying agencies such as Underwriters Laboratories.  He is also an Air Force veteran.
• Harry “Jon” Faust is slated for Commissioner, District 2.  Jon is a retired 41 year employee for NIPSCO, where he worked in customer service for the last 20 years.  He is active in the Lutheran Church and works part time at Eikenberry Eddy Funeral Home.  Jon is determined to make the Commissioner’s office more responsive to the taxpayers and has pledged to use his common sense to say “no” when necessary.
• Vicki Wheeler is running for Miami County Recorder.  Vicki is a graduate of Indiana University and is involved in many community activities including the Miami County Community Foundation, Miami County Junior Miss, and was a Girl Scout Leader.  She and her husband, Col. Larry Wheeler, came to Miami County via the Air Force. Vicki wants to make the office user friendly and to provide a transparent and accountable budget for the Recorder’s office.
• Betty Hunter is slated as Miami County Auditor.  Betty has a B.S. from Goshen College and extensive accounting courses.  She has 23 years of bookkeeping and accounting experience and was Business Manager of the Peru Tribune and Wabash Plain Dealer.  Betty is known for her work ethic and has vowed to bring her experience to rectify the many inconsistencies and problems which have plagued the Auditor’s office in recent years.  Betty understands the budget process and the need and importance of accurate, reconciled ledgers and records.

These four candidates, along with those previously elected in the May Democratic primary,  represent an opportunity for Miami County to embrace Change…..Change that is not only needed but is necessary for the financial challenges which we will be facing in the next few years.  State and city governments face unknown financial problems with rising unemployment, shrinking business investment, housing foreclosures, and declining tax revenue.  City and County governments and Schools are a target of our present leaders.  We must arm ourselves with the most competent local elected officials.  Learn more about the Miami County Democratic candidates and plan now to vote November 4.