November 02, 2007 04:38 pm
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Contaminates? When at Midwest Plating
In the third and final mayoral debate on Wednesday, Oct. 24, Democrat Greg Goodnight challenged Republican Rick Hamilton about the $1.7 million cost of the cleanup of the Midwest Plating company property in 1986. Goodnight claimed Hamilton managed Midwest Plating from 1977 until 1983 or 1984. Hamilton conceded that he led the company for “five years or so” and then the company was sold in 1983 or 1984 to two men whose names Hamilton does not remember. The company closed for good in 1985.
Goodnight stated that the contamination of the Midwest Plating land was evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and that the agency concluded in 1986 that the pollution of the land happened over a long period of time.
Hamilton denied any responsibility for the contamination of the land and said he was not working for Midwest Plating when the pollution occurred. Instead, Hamilton claimed all contamination happened in the year after he left and before the company was permanently closed in 1985.
So, what is the truth? Was Midwest Plating polluting the ground in the late 1970s and early 1980s while Rick Hamilton was managing the company? Did $1.7 million in contamination of the ground occur in only one year, after the family of Mr. Hamilton’s wife sold the business? Taxpayers did have to pay for this cleanup.
These are important questions that need to be answered before Tuesday, Nov. 6, Election Day. Kokomo voters need to know. I hope the local newspapers will investigate this issue and give citizens the information they need to make a decision on which mayoral candidate to vote for in the election.
Ronald K. Riggs
Kokomo
Elect Hamilton for cooperation
I think it is important to let you know that I fully support Rick Hamilton for mayor.
Rick has proven himself as a leader in business and government. It is critical that the citizens of Kokomo elect a mayor who knows how to cooperate with others, not one whose main task has been to represent only one side of an issue.
Being mayor requires working well with others, something that has been sorely lacking the last four years. Rick Hamilton is that kind of person. Rick Hamilton will be that kind of mayor for the City of Kokomo.
With the property tax issues that now face Kokomo and Howard County, it will take a level of cooperation that we have not seen for quite some time. I look forward to working with Rick as Kokomo’s next mayor. I hope you will join me in supporting Rick on Nov. 6.
Brad Bagwell
County commissioner
Criteria for voting on Election Day
I will have five votes to cast on election day, mayor, my city council district, and three at-large city council seats. Following is my criteria on how I will cast my votes:
1. The candidate who raises the least amount of money gets my vote.
2. The candidate with the fewest yard signs gets my vote.
3. Any candidate who recently voted to enact the new LOIT will not get my vote.
4. The candidate who has the highest number of endorsement letters written to the editor for the opinion page will not get my vote.
5. And finally I am of the opinion that most likely any candidate currently holding elective office will not get my vote.
Lee Smith
Kokomo
Sheline serves with integrity
I would like to ask the voters of District 2 to please vote for Greg Sheline. Mr. Sheline has always been willing to listen to concerns and share his thoughts on any given topic. He has represented District 2 on the city council with integrity and sincerity. When he gives his word, you can take it to the bank.
Greg arrives at his decisions by researching the issue, getting input and voting with his conscience. Mr. Sheline is a leader that would serve our community well for another four years. Please vote for Greg Sheline, city council.
Paul Wyman
Kokomo
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