Letter: Mayor’s resignation opens path of support for Mid-States Corridor
Mayor Dean Vonderheide has announced his resignation as Mayor of Jasper, effective March 31, 2026. In his public letter to residents, Mayor Vonderheide explained that he wants to focus more on his health and family after seven years in office, and believes it’s time to “pass the torch” to new leadership to carry forward Jasper’s long-range plans. Is this really the truth for his resignation?
The process to select a replacement is not up to the voters but, by Indiana law, is the realm of the political party to which Mayor Vonderheide belongs. Because he’s resigning before his current term ends, the Dubois County Republican Party has scheduled a precinct caucus to select someone to serve as the next mayor for the remainder of the term. That caucus is set for January 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Jasper City Hall. Interested candidates must file the required forms before January 13. The caucus process is internal to the party and will determine who fills the vacancy. Under Indiana law and party rules, only the Republican Party’s precinct committeemen (and vice-committeemen, if applicable) for the area covered by the office may vote in a vacancy caucus.
Mrs. Amy Kippenbrock is the Dubois County Clerk and the chair of the Dubois County Republican Party is the official responsible for organizing and overseeing the caucus that will choose Mayor Vonderheide’s replacement. Mrs. Kippenbrock has also announced her candidacy for Shane Lindauer’s legislature seat. Mrs. Kippenbrock has chosen not to take a position on the Mid-States Corridor.
Here’s where corruption could come into play. The recent Public Policy Polling poll showed overwhelming opposition to the Mid-States Corridor project among both parties. What is going to stop the “election” of a pro-Mid-States Corridor candidate? Nothing! Even though the voters of the city and county are overwhelmingly opposed.
Here’s a hypothetical: what if the party selects a pro-Corridor candidate and then encourages Mayor Vonderheide to take a position on the city or county council in order to block any negative RDA vote? This is a way to get around the pesky voters and the majority of the citizens. Talk about a lack of transparency.
Rep. Mark Messmer has repeatedly lectured the public that we are not a democracy but a representational republic. This is a fact and one of the reasons that ballot initiatives are not allowed in Indiana. We “assume” our elected representatives (city, county, state and national) will represent our positions. We do not elect them to do as they please. The leaders of the Dubois, and now the state. Republican Party have been presented with data that clearly shows the voters of Dubois County do not want the Mid-States Corridor to be built. If the party chooses someone who is in favor of the project, it will be proof positive that they are not following the spirit of the law. They are not representing the majority of the voters.
Republicans of Jasper and Dubois County take heed. Contact your precinct chairman and vice-chairman and tell to select a candidate that supports the will of the constituents. Do it today, tomorrow and everyday until the caucus. Then attend the caucus and demand a candidate that will abide by the will of the constituents.
Jim Arvin*
Rutherford Township
Martin County
*Not Mr. Jim Arvin of Jasper, the former CEO of Jasper Desk
