Candidates pledge to run clean campaigns
June 29, 2011
Source: The Herald Online Wednesday, June 29, 2011
By CANDY NEAL
Herald Staff Writer
JASPER — The Jasper Chamber of Commerce has challenged candidates in Jasper municipal elections to sign a pledge committing to run a clean campaign.
As of this morning, 10 of the 15 candidates on the ballot had signed the chamber’s “political civility challenge,“ accepting its terms. Six of them did so at the chamber’s board meeting this morning.
“I expect some good, clean campaigns,“ chamber Executive Director Nancy Eckerle told candidates after the signing.
The pledge states that candidates “will conduct this campaign with the highest integrity and respect for our opponents and their supporters.“ It also asks candidates to promise to “speak directly to issues that affect the city“ and “clearly explain our goals and dreams for its future.“
Anyone who wants to read the entire pledge and see who has signed it can do so at the chamber office at 302 W. Sixth St.
A board member suggested the pledge based on the clean campaign Sue Ellspermann and Russ Stilwell ran as they vied for the District 74 state representative seat last year. The pledge is based on those candidates’ agreement.
Eckerle is pleased with the response to the pledge. “The candidates are proud to be a part of this,“ she said.
The chamber has been becoming more active in the political and government process in recent years, co-sponsoring city and county forums with candidates and public meetings with state legislators who represent Dubois County. But it is careful to stay neutral.
“We are not taking a stand either way or for any candidate,“ said Diane Schwenk, president of the chamber board.
Rather, the chamber is being involved to disseminate information to the public.
“We’re doing this for the community,“ Schwenk said. “It’s good for the community to know the candidates who accept this challenge.“
Juanita Boehm, a Democrat running unopposed to continue as the city’s clerk-treasurer, said this morning that she was glad to sign the challenge.
“You should promote yourself on your own merit and what knowledge you have to come into the position,“ she said, “and how you will represent the city. I believe the community wants to see the candidates run clean campaigns and run on their own merit, not bash the other candidate.“
Chamber members hope the trend of running clean campaigns continues past this election. By keeping them clean, “you continue to get good people to run,“ board member Maureen Braun said after the meeting.
The chamber sent a letter to all the candidates in the city elections inviting them to sign the pledge by July 1.
Contact Candy Neal at cneal@dcherald.com.
