GOP hears of positive news locally, statewide at Lincoln Day Dinner
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Indiana's Attorney General Greg Zoeller, below, addressed local Republicans during the Lincoln Day Dinner on Friday night at Eberly's Hall in South Whitley.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
Friday was a night of enthusiasm and rallying as 130 Republicans from Whitley County and parts beyond gathered at Eberly's Hall in South Whitley for the annual Lincoln Day Dinner.
There were many high points to the evening, including the presentation of several awards and an address from Indiana’s Attorney General Greg Zoeller and Whitley County Sheriff Mark Hodges. 
“Next year is an election year,” said Whitley County GOP chairman Jim Banks as he stood before the crowd. “I don’t think we had any idea we’d have this kind of turnout.”
Looking forward to what will be a busy year ahead, Banks said, “These are very difficult times. There will be so many positions open next year…we will battle hard for Whitley County.”
Banks said the party is already aggressively recruiting people to run for political office in Whitley County.
“If you’re thinking about running for office, we want you to,” he said. “Whitley County is going to have to fight hard to win every position on the ballot.”
Dr. Neil Hanni, who has served the Whitley County GOP as treasurer for at least the past 25 years, was the recipient of the 2009 Whitley County Republican of the Year award.
The family of the late Senator Harold “Potch” Wheeler was proud to present the first-ever Senator Harold “Potch” Wheeler Memorial Scholarship to Blake Burman, a senior at Columbia City High School. Burman plans to attend Ball State University and major in wildlife biology and conservation. He was joined at the dinner by his mother, Trudy Miller-Longhenry.
“Three years ago, I ran a campaign on issues of professionalism, spirituality and training,” Hodges said of the issues he hoped to address while in office. On Friday night, he gave an overview of what he believes has been accomplished in the past several years. A high point, he said, is the 640 volunteer hours put forth by local clergy and spiritual advisors for the betterment of the jail population.
Hodges ended his address by announcing his intent to run for a second term as Whitley County Sheriff, which was met with wild applause.
“It’s an honor to serve as your Attorney General,” Zoeller said. Zoeller “I really wanted to be in public service. I really felt I was called to serve as an attorney.
Of his role, Zoeller said he felt the eight years he worked in the Attorney General’s office prior to being elected to his current position as Indiana’s 42nd Attorney General greatly prepared him. Zoeller is the first Attorney General to have worked in the office before being elected to the position in Indiana.
Though still early, he feels several important things have already been accomplished, including consumer protection through the “Do Not Call List.” He said 57% of residential lines are now participating in the program. “The Do Not Call List protects the sanctity of the home and quietude of family life,” Zoeller said.
“We don’t have nearly the number of people taken advantage of,” he said. “The things that have worked we’ll want to continue.”
Zoeller said he is at work on a new statute that would further help Hoosiers preserve their credit and protect it from identity theft. The new provision would enable Hoosiers to freeze and unfreeze their credit at will from the internet at home.
“We’re also going to try to be very proactive and take actions against companies prior to big complaints being lodged against them,” Zoeller said.
Zoeller said other issues on the front burner include a closer look at mortgage consultants and title fraud.
Zoeller said he sees it as a honor to be able to represent law enforcement in the state. Zoeller’s office supports the appeal process and reports a 93% success rate on appeals, up from 80% just a few years ago.
“It’s a real honor to represent the criminal justice system on appeal,” Zoeller said.
Zoeller said he feels that if he does his job well, it should not be apparent whether he is a Republican or Democrat – but added the common values of the Republican party are apparent in what he does, citing fiscal responsibility, a flat budget, conservatism and a sense of limited government.
Present at the Lincoln Day Dinner, in addition to a host of local public servants, included representatives from Huntington, Allen, Steuben, Kosciusko and other counties.