(Submitted press release)
Beebe
Michael Beebe (R), LaPorte 2nd District LaPorte County Council candidate, has been the only county council candidate to present a platform to constituents throughout the 2014 election. Beebe’s platform has been available for the entirety of his campaign at MichaelBeebe.net.
“It is important for voters to know not only who they are voting for, but what the candidate actually stands for,” Beebe said. “As a candidate, it is my responsibility to the people of LaPorte County to inform them of my positions on issues that impact our area. Voters shouldn’t have the opportunity to know more about their candidates than just a name and a party.”
Beebe presents five key points that he intends to focus on as 2nd District county council member: economic redevelopment, removal of the county income tax, improvement of road conditions, countywide budget freeze, and minimal impact or reducing negative reproductions to citizens of LaPorte County.
Beebe’s platform in its entirety states:
Economic (Re)Development:
Currently, the economy of LaPorte County is struggling; more importantly there are many residents who are struggling due to lack of employment opportunities. The county council needs to put more focus on working with existing business development programs already in place throughout the county. By strengthening this partnership between these organizations and the council, there will be a better means of evaluating how taxpayer money is being spent towards these efforts and how to optimize their impact in the future.
Remove county income tax:
The La Porte County income tax came into effect before we had the financial benefits of Blue Chip Casino. At the time, it was intended as a temporary solution to the county’s budget issues. Presently, there is no need for every taxpayer to contribute $1 of every $100 earned to the county. By eliminating this tax, households earning $50,000 will be able to keep $500 more of their money, allowing them to buy groceries, pay off debt, or contribute to the local economy.
Road conditions:
Roads in LaPorte County are in a constant state of disrepair, mainly because of harsh winters and inconsistent maintenance. Taxpayers are paying the price for these issues in the form of broken shocks, bent rims and blown tires. By better appropriation of funds and more consistent follow-up, our county roads can be suitable for our residents again.
Budget freeze:
Currently, the county council increases the budget annually by 1-1.5%, even though the incomes of the households within the county are not increasing. I will call for a 5-year freeze of the general budget. By re-evaluating spending practices, we can eliminate the need for these increases.
Minimal personal impact:
The county council needs to fully understand and evaluate the repercussions of their decisions. By evaluating the gravity of their decision, the best interest of the taxpayers can be at the forefront of the decision-making process.
“The council does not create the initiatives, but they do control what is funded within the county and by how much. In many cases, this determines the success or failure of a project,” Beebe said.
A full breakdown of Beebe’s platform is available at MichaelBeebe.net on the Goals page, or on YouTube on the Team Beebe channel.