First and Last Name
Bob DeRuntz
Campaign Address and Email
46 Sager Road, Valparaiso, IN 46383 bob.deruntz@gmail.com
Campaign Phone
219-465-3883
Social Media and Website Links
www.BobDeRuntz.com
I have a Masters Degree in History and have been a history teacher at Chesterton High School for 29 years, where I was named the Indiana Outstanding History Teacher of the Year last year by the Daughters of the American Revolution. I also serve as the co-President and Chairman of Negotiations for the Duneland Teachers Association, where I have worked to increase the starting Duneland teacher’s salary from one of the lowest in the county to one of the highest in the state. Additionally, I am a legislative liaison for the Indiana State Teachers Association, working with our state legislators to advocate for public education and fight for collective bargaining rights for the Region’s labor unions.
As your Porter County Councilman, I will focus on good policy for the betterment of our entire community. I will work to maintain public safety by providing the County Sheriff with the resources needed to keep our communities safe. I will prioritize quality roads, safe bridges and stormwater management while keeping a healthy balance between our infrastructure needs and lower taxes. I will ensure that professionalism guides Board appointments to ensure well led county government agencies. I will work to establish a dedicated funding source for our Porter County Parks as a social infrastructure investment. I will continue to emphasize competitive pay for our county employees because county government is only as good as the people who run it.
I have learned in my leadership roles that it is essential to listen and be responsive to people’s concerns. Solutions are found when we talk to each other, not at each other. While we may not always agree, it is important that people can express their thoughts. As a Porter County Councilman, I will make myself available to speak to my constituents, as well as share my contact information so people have the ability to ask questions and receive a thoughtful response.
I will make myself available to speak to constituents at Porter County Council meetings, as well as share my contact information with constituents so they always have the ability to reach me as their Porter Council Council representative. My email address is bob.deruntz@gmail.com, and my phone number is 219-465-3883.
For the last 15 years I have worked to help build affordable housing in our community by volunteering with Project Neighbors. I want Porter County to be a place that the working men and women of our community can afford to live in. I will be thoughtful about the decisions that I make on the County Council regarding possible TIF districts, tax abatements and how we work with the Redevelopment Commission to ensure that the decisions we are making are designed to positively impact the people of Porter County, including ways in which we can create an environment for people to have access to attainable housing.
I think it is important that every level of government takes appropriate actions to protect our environment from pollution and its inherent environmental consequences.. As a County Councilman, I will work to promote a healthy balance between the industrial engine of our economy and smart environmental regulations that are enforceable to help to protect Porter County’s air quality, soil, water and natural habitats, both for today and into the future.
I am running for the Porter County Council because I think it is essential that we elect leaders in our community who are honest, well qualified, and have a proven track record of working to make a positive difference in people's lives. That is what I have done for the last 29 years as a teacher, volunteer, union leader and in county government on the Board of Directors for the Porter County Parks and Recreation. I look forward to the opportunity to help lead on the Porter County Council to move Porter County forward together, because we are better together. Visit www.BobDeRuntz.com to learn more about my campaign.
First and Last Name
Sylvia Graham
Campaign Address and Email
graham4reel@comcast.net
Campaign Phone
219-928-0637
I lived my entire adult life in Porter Co. and raised a family here. I received my AD degree in Nursing from IU. I received my BSN in Nursing from Purdue. I was the first FNP on medical staff at Northwest Hospital (Porter). I was the Porter Co. 4-H leader for 11 years. I was elected to 4 terms to serve on Porter Co. Council. I serve on the PCACS board and the Recycling & Waste District for 15 years and the Juvenile Detention board for 8 years. I am liaison to 15 county departments. I am a founding member of the Porter Co. Charitable Foundation. I feel my work is not done and I have the energy, experience and desire to continue serving. I listen and I am accessible to the public. For these reasons, I am running for reelection.
My three top priorities are:
1. Safety initiatives. I will continue to support the Sheriffs, Highway, Stormwater and Bridge departments resource needs to insure safety and safe conditions for travel throughout the county.
2. Promoting sound planning and maintenance for job growth, keeping taxes low. Over 16 years, we have been fiscally responsible, maintaining low taxes and improving our bond rating, allowing us to bond for major projects, such as the highway garage.
3. Protecting our ecosystem. Double tracking on the South Shore provided additional funding for major projects including new sewer lines in the town of Porter, extending in to the National and State parks and preventing water and soil contamination.
All council meetings are live streamed, as they are occurring. All county council meetings are recorded and available on the county website for viewing. Local newspapers publish 10 days in advance the agendas of all public meetings. All county records are available on county website. Questions can be asked via the portal on the county website. I am active on Facebook and by word of mouth. I make certain my constituents are aware of good and bad news in their areas. All of my contact information is available through my office, on Facebook and the telephone directory. I can be reached via office and home phones, email, internet and Facebook and I spend time participating in community events.
For the past 15 years, my constituents have contacted me through emails, phone calls and the council office. Many times over the years I have been thanked for returning constituents calls and emails. I will continue to remain available by whatever means, to listen, to act and find answers to their inquiries.
Supply and demand continue to be a problem throughout Porter Co. Currently, there are 3 subdivisions being planned for Hebron. I am told beginning house prices begin at $325,000. We need to come up with creative ways to get more assistance to first time home buyers. Offering grants through the Economic Redevelopment Commission, to first responders, nurses and educators, would be a creative way to provide a step up to these first-time home buyers. Model homes can be discounted as a further incentive.
We must do all we can to protect planet Earth. I sit on the Porter Co. Recycling & Waste Board that is supported by a tax levy that household residents pay. We have collection sites open all week and Saturday for leaves, yard waste and other waste products and recyclables. Mulch is a by-product of the natural waste and is available to residents. There are several scheduled Hazardous Waste Material drop off sites throughout the county. Recently, China has stopped buying our recycled glass and plastic. Hobart and Portage have halted curbside recycling pickup. What we must do is reach out and investigate new ways of breaking down and repurposing disposable materials. We must continue offering recycling options throughout the county.
These are challenging times. I have worked hard, listening and interacting with my constituents. I am the only woman presently on the council. I am retired and do not want to see taxes increased. The county has one of the lowest tax rates in the state and I will work hard to keep it that way! I am asking for your support and your vote in the primary and general elections, for I feel my work is not done. Thank you!
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First and Last Name
Erik Wagner
Campaign Address and Email
ewagner0021@gmail.com 225 N Bailey Dr Porter IN 46304
Campaign Phone
2194060021
Social Media and Website Links
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556806739199&mibextid=sCpJLy
With nearly two decades of local political involvement, including serving on the Porter Town Council, Porter County Council, being a liaison to police, fire, and and public works department. I have a background in political science from Purdue University, I bring a wealth of experience and education to the County Council. My dedication to our community, combined with personal characteristics such as integrity and empathy, uniquely qualify me to represent Porter County residents effectively
Economic Development: Empowering small businesses promoting entrepreneurship and attracting new industries to diversify our economy and create prosperity.
Public Safety: Strengthening community-police relations to promote transparency and accountability.
Prioritizing crime prevention through education, job training, and social services.
Environmental Economics: Maximizing economic opportunities by leveraging our natural treasures, like the National Park, for tourism and outdoor recreation. Supporting local businesses to thrive in the growing environmental tourism sector.
I'm committed to transparency and accessibility. I'll ensure access to Council proceedings through live streams, online agendas, and social media updates. If there is interest, I would recommend holding regular bipartisan town hall meetings to provide direct engagement with constituents, keeping them informed and involved in local governance.
I'll establish regular office hours, ensuring accessibility for all residents. Additionally, I'll maintain open lines of communication through phone, email, and virtual meetings to address concerns promptly
As a county councilman, I recognize the pressing need for affordable housing in Porter County. My priorities include advocating for policies that incentivize the development of affordable housing units, collaborating with local stakeholders to identify suitable locations for housing projects, and securing funding to support affordable housing initiatives.
As a County Council member, I am deeply committed to environmental protection efforts within Porter County and Northwest Indiana. I believe it is our responsibility to safeguard our natural resources for future generations. My position is to advocate for policies that promote sustainability, preserve green spaces, and mitigate environmental impacts. This includes supporting initiatives to reduce pollution, conserve water and energy, and promote responsible land use practices. I will work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that prioritize environmental stewardship while fostering economic growth and community well-being
Hello, Porter County voters! I'm Erik Wagner, and I'm running for County Council to bring positive change to our community. With nearly two decades of local political involvement and a commitment to transparency and accessibility, I'm ready to serve you. My platform focuses on crucial issues like public safety, economic development, environmental stewardship, social services. I'll work tirelessly to ensure your voices are heard and your needs are met. Let's build a stronger, more resilient Porter County together. Remember to support our unions, believe in our community, and vote Wagner!
