The Huntingburg Mayoral Candidates respond to League Stadium movie night fiasco

Janet Kemp’s response:

I am writing this editorial as a candidate for the Mayor of Huntingburg. I write this with the hopes to explain my main reasons why I disagreed with a political party sponsoring a community event and celebration.

First and foremost, I am a candidate for Mayor, and after working so closely with the mayor’s office for the past 6 years, I know a lot about what it takes to be a good mayor. A mayor must always remain open to new ideas and then weigh those ideas against what our community needs. A mayor must constantly juggle between being political and somewhat neutral, but a good mayor keeps the politics at the door and out of decisions that affect our entire community.

I whole heartedly agree that free community events and celebrations are unquestionably needed and desired by the people of Huntingburg and will definitely improve the quality of life in our city. However, when it comes to using city owned facilities that are maintained with taxpayer dollars, we must insure that the entire community is welcome and able to participate and enjoy as they wish. We are a community rich in diverse religions, political views, and ethnic backgrounds and we all pay our share of taxes. We all have the right to attend a community celebration with no fear or pressure about our core values. For example, I compare attending a politically sponsored community celebration or event (that is not the same as my political beliefs) to being forced to sitting amongst the “away team” cheering section when you are rooting for the “home team”.  You  can still watch the game, but you will not cheer as loud, may not agree with the side chatter, and may even become frustrated as the people around you criticize your team. It is plainly not as fun, or enjoyable, and I have every right to enjoy the event as much as everyone else.

Secondly, our city facilities and community celebrations are for everyone to enjoy, and I strongly feel we must maintain this area of neutral ground. Our parks are a place where everyone can be friends and family, relax and enjoy. There are many other avenues to get your message and platform to the people of Huntingburg. My party and I declined an invitation to sponsor a Bombers game earlier in the year as we felt it was necessary to keep politics out of our park. We never had any discussion or intentions of making a city celebration a political platform.

And finally, the Republican sponsored event was presented as being a community celebration and a method of showing the people of Huntingburg what the Republican Candidates would promote if elected.  At a Park Board Meeting on June 20^th, 2011, a Park Board Member asked the Republican Candidates if this was just an “election year event” or if they would commit to sponsoring an event such as this for the next couple of years…..there was no reply to his question from any of the candidates present. I understood this silence to be a “no” and proof this is just an election year marketing tactic. Is that what we want to reduce the anniversary of League Stadium to,… a campaign strategy? I say NO WAY!!

I care about Huntingburg and its citizens, I have proven that every day I have worked for the City of Huntingburg. I don’t care who is in my office, everyone is treated equal and personal agendas and politics are not welcome. A mayor must be able to do what IS RIGHT even when it may cost him OR HER some votes.  The idea of trying to win over votes by throwing money around solely on election year angers me to the core! Our parks, our city accomplishments and our votes cannot be purchased by anyone, because they are simply not for sale.

Overall, it is best that this be coordinated by the Huntingburg Foundation, so the people of Dubois County and Huntingburg can enjoy the movie! I am sure it will be a great event!!

Janet Kemp

Denny Spinner’s Response:

Huntingburg is a great city and that is why I want to serve as mayor. I have a desire to be a public servant to the community that has enriched me and many others, and continues to be our great hometown.  In proposing a movie night at League Stadium, it was my intent and the intent of my fellow candidates to provide an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate.

We wanted to show the citizens of Huntingburg the type of leadership and planning they could expect from our candidates should we be elected, and have the opportunity to meet and get to know better those we might be representing. Everyone would have been welcome to come join us and celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the construction of the facility that is a source of community pride and that so many people in Indiana and across the country associate with our fine City of Huntingburg.

I am pleased that by working with the Huntingburg Foundation, we as a community will be able to move past this political squabble and be able to provide for Huntingburg an evening of fun and celebration for all citizens to enjoy.

I am committed to working with anyone who has good ideas that promote the pride and positive aspects of our city. Bringing people together and forming consensus is a hallmark of good leadership. It is something I have always strived for in any of the leadership positions I have held.

The simple idea of having a movie night should not be controversial. The political tension that has developed because of our idea is difficult to understand, but the move to deny this request leads to an even greater question.

Among the founding principles of our country is the right to assemble, which is guaranteed by the 1^st Amendment. The right to peaceable assembly provides the opportunity for all citizens to participate in America’s political life and in the electoral process. Groups and organizations have historically used assembly as a way to show support for an idea. Groups and organizations should not be denied access to public facilities because of their views. This is a fundamental right that all Americans have and it should be protected.

A friend of mine has said “Throwing out ideas is easy, knocking down ideas is even easier, but taking an idea, flushing it out to make it the best possible, and then fully implementing, well that takes talent. “ And I agree with that concept.  We need to work together to advance ideas and implement those ideas that benefit our community.  It has been my intent to demonstrate to the citizens of Huntingburg that should I be elected their mayor that I have the ability to not only present new ideas, but I have the leadership capabilities to implement those ideas.

I hope and intend that as the campaign proceeds; we can focus on the qualifications of each of the candidates and allow the citizens to decide who best can lead their city. In the months ahead, I intend to continue to meet the citizens of Huntingburg, listen to their ideas, and be prepared to bring proud and positive leadership to our city, should I be so honored to be elected as mayor.

Denny Spinner