County election board member Ray Whiting honored for 22 years of dedication
(Talk of the Town photos by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Ray Whiting, left, is recognized by Judge Jim Heuer, at right, for his fairness and integrity as a member of the Whitley County election board. Below, Whiting listens as fellow Republicans tout his attributes.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
You haven’t seen his name on campaign signs or read announcements about his political efforts, but to the Whitley County Republican Party, Ray Whiting is indispensable. Indeed, the political process in Whitley County runs like a well-oiled machine thanks to the behind the scenes efforts and non-partisanship of the county's election board and volunteers.
Whiting was presented with the county’s Republican of the Year award Wednesday evening during the annual Lincoln Day Dinner at The Eagle’s Nest Event Center.
A 22-year Republican representative for the Whitley County election board, Whiting was honored for his dedication and behind the scenes efforts to ensure that local elections run fairly, accurately and effectively. 
Jennifer Baxter, chief deputy of Whitley County voter registration, spoke highly of Whiting, saying he arrives early at meetings, is a committed worker during each election and that he has championed handicap accessibility at polling sites for years.
Judge Jim Heuer said, “I’ve known a lot of candidates…and I’ve never had anyone say to me, ‘that election wasn’t fair.”
“At 6 p.m. when partisanship stops, the election board goes to work and you know it is going to be done fairly and accurately,” Heuer said.
Whitley County Republican Party chairman Jim Banks concluded the recognition by presenting Whiting with a plaque.