Gary L. Snyder

What a deal!

2008-08-15T15:08:06Z

As reported in the Indianapolis Star today, Indiana taxpayers contribute millions to lawmaker's generous pension plan. and Pension rules change but the deals just as sweet., we see just how our legislators fleece us. They work part-time, receive a salary that is nearly 25% higher than the median household income in Indiana and receive pension contributions 125% higher than the state worker. While this doesn't have much to do with the Huntington County Council, I thought you would like to know how our government always seems to be working against us and not for us. I am also posting Rep. Leonard's pension contributions and the match by the state; combine this with the tens of thousands of dollars he receives from special interest groups and it doesn't take a genius to figure out who's interest Rep. Leonard is looking out for. At what point do we say enough is enough!

Pension data for Rep. Daniel J. Leonard

A Republican, Leonard is a current member of the Indiana General Assembly, serving House District 50

The "member input" column shows the amount contributed each year by Rep. Leonard.

YEAR	MEMBER INPUT	MATCHING
1992	$0.00	$0.00
1993	$0.00	$0.00
1994	$0.00	$0.00
1995	$0.00	$0.00
1996	$0.00	$0.00
1997	$0.00	$0.00
1998	$0.00	$0.00
1999	$0.00	$0.00
2000	$0.00	$0.00
2001	$0.00	$0.00
2002	$141.38	$565.52
2003	$1,198.86	$4,795.44
2004	$1,613.14	$6,452.56
2005	$2,123.02	$8,492.08
2006	$1,946.02	$7,784.08
2007	$2,218.61	$8,874.44
2008*	$1,433.05	$5,732.20
Total	$10,674.08	$42,696.32
* partial year

The "matching" column shows the amount contributed each year by taxpayers.

During the years covered by this analysis, Rep. Leonard contributed a total of $10,674.08 while taxpayers provided a four-to-one match of $42,696.32, providing a total of $53,370.40 in contributions to Rep. Leonard's pension fund.

Note: The total represents accumulated contributions and does not include interest earnings.

Huntington Held Hostage-Day 12

2008-08-08T14:49:56Z

Twelve days have passed since I challenged my Republican opponents to join with me in opposing the 1% Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) and still no response. The hard working middle-class of Huntington County deserve a government that works for them, not against them and up until now, the Republican Party machine is working against them!

I hate pulling old clichés out of the proverbial bag, but let's do it anyway, "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" What has your county government done to make your life a little easier? Have they brought good paying jobs to Huntington? Last time I checked, Huntington was losing jobs and had one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. What about taxes? Huntington County's middle-class pay more in property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes than they did 4 years ago, and unless you have been sleeping under a rock, you know the Republican machine is about ready to raise your income taxes again.

We have an opportunity in November to send the anti-middle class Republican politicians a message, a message that will not only be heard in Huntington County, but around Northeast Indiana. The message is this: You had your chance, you failed and we want elected officials that will work for us, not against us.

The Sound of Silence

2008-08-01T14:26:55Z

The silence is almost deafening. Just a few days ago I issued a press release reaffirming my "No-New-Tax Pledge" and issuing a challenge to my Republican opponents to join me in protecting Huntington's middle-class. Since I have heard nothing from Mr. Shane Bickle, Mr. Chris Hoke and Incumbent John Hacker, I assume they have decided to side with Mrs. Pam Updike and yet another tax increase on the backs of Huntington's middle-class.

Huntington County has one of the state's highest unemployment rates, gas at around $4.00 a gallon, and now not only a County Council who feels you don't pay enough in taxes, but apparently Republican candidates for County Council who feel they can spend your $400 better than you can. At a time when Huntington's hard working middle-class are working one day a week to fill their gas tank, the Republican Party and their candidates have the audacity to say you aren't paying enough of your hard earned income in taxes. Join me in saying enough is enough!

Hold on to your wallet!

2008-07-30T15:56:18Z

The $35,000 question has been answered, a .75% increase next year in your income tax and probably another increase in 2010. Make no mistake about it, Pam Updike and her council puppets knew exactly what they were going to do way before they even ordered the study; they just needed the study to provide political cover. If Republican politics follows its usual path, Pam's handpicked Republican Candidates will fall right in line with her. The Herald-Press points out the average individual will pay about $213 a year more in taxes; a family will pay $426 a year more in income taxes. Let's not forget the 17% increase in the sales tax. Does anyone see a trend developing here? I sure do!

Now correct me if I am wrong, we currently have a Republican Governor, State Representative, State Senator, Mayor, entire City Council, County Council, County Commissioners and every other county official. We have one of the state's highest unemployment rates, up almost 30% in the last 4 years and climbing, and their answer, raise our taxes again. It is a sad day when a select few from the Republican Family Tree feels they need that $413 more than your family, especially when Huntington's middle-class is struggling to survive.

I have taken the No-New-Taxes pledge and will fight this increase and for Huntington's middle-class. I once heard insanity defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Isn't it about time we stop electing the same people and party over and over and expecting a different result?

Gary L. Snyder Reaffirms No-New-Tax Pledge

2008-07-28T12:03:46Z

Gary L. Snyder for County Council

www.garylsnyder.com

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Gary L. Snyder

Phone: (260) 479-7006

Email: snydergaryl@yahoo.com

Gary L. Snyder Reaffirms No-New-Tax Pledge

Candidate for Huntington County Council commits to oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes

July 28, 2008- Democratic candidate for Huntington County Council, Gary L. Snyder, today reaffirmed the Americans for Tax Reform “No New Tax Pledge” he signed as a candidate for State Representative. By reaffirming his pledge, Gary commits to “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”

“I signed the pledge as a candidate for State Representative and I will stand by that pledge as a candidate for County Council. For too long, the “Tax and Spend” Republican County Council hasn't met a spending increase or new tax it didn’t like, all at the expense of the over burdened middle-class. On the eve of the Huntington County Council raising the Local Option Income Tax (LOIT), I will stand up for Huntington’s middle-class and say no new taxes and I would challenge my Republican opponents to do the same.”

Money well spent?

2008-07-18T15:09:30Z

With the Huntington County economy collapsing, mass layoffs of our hard working manufacturing middle-class, and budget shortfalls as far as the eye can see, I have to question the recent decision of the Huntington County Council to spend $35,000 on a study on whether they need to implement the Local Option Income Tax (LOIT). The unfortunate part of the decision is that Kathy Branum, Council President and soon to be County Commissioner, along with John Hacker, County Councilman and up for re-election, will use the study to provide political cover for their imminent vote to raise the LOIT by 1%.

We look to our elected officials to provide leadership, a quality absent in this recent decision to fund a study that will do nothing but provide elected officials political cover on the backs of Huntington County's middle-class. And while it is too late to prevent Mrs. Branum from bringing her brand of leadership to the County Commissioners, we still have an opportunity to replace Mr. Hacker in the fall. Let's not forget County Commissioner Jerry Helvie's yes vote on the same issue and remember, he is up for re-election in two years. It's time for common sense leadership and time to start trimming this elite Republican Family Tree that delivered us this mess, one branch at a time.

Challenge Pulled

2008-07-15T13:42:42Z

Pam Updike's decision to pull her frivolous challenge to my candidacy for Huntington County Council is welcome news. While I question her motive for challenging my candidacy and trying to disenfranchise thousands of Huntington County voters, her decision to pull the challenge should be applauded. Huntington County now has an election this fall. Now that we have an election, we can start identifying and debating the very important issues facing Huntington County's dismissed middle-class.

Updike challenges my candidacy

2008-07-09T13:13:14Z

It appears Pam Updike, Huntington County Republican Chairwoman, Huntington County Councilwoman, Executive Assistant to her Mayor husband Steve Updike, and now apparently Huntington County Democratic Chairwoman, has decided to challenge my candidacy for Huntington County Council. Mrs. Updike's decision to try to disenfranchise thousands of voters in Huntington County from having a real choice in November epitomizes the petty politics we have come to expect from her leadership of the Huntington County Republican Party. It is this kind petty politics and personal attacks orchestrated by her that have led more people to vote in the Democratic Primary this year than voted the Republican Primary.

This challenge to my candidacy will not go unchallenged when presented to the Huntington County Election Board. While there are two Republican appointments and only one Democratic appointment, I would hope the board would choose not to disenfranchise the voters of Huntington County. I would also call upon the 3 Republican Candidates for the Huntington County Council to voice their opinion to Pam Updike to stop her frivolous challenge. This is their opportunity to say yes to democracy and no to disenfranchisement.

I may not win in the fall but that should be the choice of the voters, not the decision of Pam Updike. While she would like to continue the petty politics of the past and have a one party system in the county, the fact remains there is a Democratic Party in Huntington County and she does not control it. We should expect more of Pam, but it is my experience we can't.

Kickoff Fundraiser

2008-07-03T10:37:27Z

Gary L. Snyder for County Council

Kickoff Fundraiser

Please join the Huntington County Democratic Party and Gary L. Snyder to kickoff his campaign for County Council!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

5101 W. 1000 N.

Huntington, IN. 46750

6:00 pm

A pulled pork BBQ dinner will be served with all the fixings! Entertainment provided by Ken Zuk. A free will donation will be accepted. Sponsorship opportunities are available for a $100 contribution. Come and enjoy and lets kickoff the campaign season with bang. Please RSVP to Gary at (260)479-7006 or by email at snydergaryl@yahoo.com.

Sponsors:

Johnson’s Tax Service

Campaign Announcement

2008-07-02T12:01:34Z

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Gary L. Snyder

Phone: (260) 479-7006

Email: snydergaryl@yahoo.com

Website: www.garylsnyder.com

July 2, 2008- Gary L. Snyder announced today that Bill Johnson, Andrews Town Clerk, will chair Mr. Snyder's Campaign Committee for Huntington County Council. Mr. Snyder also indicated that Ken Zuk, Huntington County Democratic Chairman, was appointed Committee Treasurer.

“I am excited to have these two gentlemen on board with my campaign. I look forward to working with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Zuk and taking our message of fiscal responsibility to the voters of Huntington County. For too long, Huntington County’s election has ended in May, not this year! The 5,193 voters who participated in the Democratic Primary will have a voice in who their next County Councilman will be. A choice between the path that has led us to one of the state’s highest unemployment rates, good factory jobs leaving the county, budget shortfalls and higher taxes or the path we offer, one of fiscal responsibility, pro-jobs and a pro-middle class agenda.

For more information, please contact Gary at (260) 479-7006 or by email, snydergaryl@yahoo.com.

Pam Updike's attempt to silence me!

2008-06-30T15:52:54Z

Below is the email I received from Huntington County Republican Chairwoman Pam Updike after the Candidate Forum for State Representative on February 26, 2008, along with my response.

Gary,

I want to let you know that I was upset with your presentation at the breakfast Saturday morning. I almost had you sit down. I told you when you called me that we don't bash each other at our events and I have never let anyone do what you did before. I know now that I will not let that happen again. I have been inundated with people letting me know how disappointed they were at your display of negativity.

If you want people in Huntington to give you support you should know that they are not impressed with people giving off negative vibes. Your letters to the editor have also been negative. Voters like to see positive campaigns that reflect the candidate's views not negative aspects of their opponents. When you are negative, the only thing that gets resolved is that you are a negative person that has nothing to contribute but what your opponent hasn't done.

Dan spent his time defending himself against your accusations and let everyone know that he is putting forth the effort needed to get things done at the Statehouse. You can look at it how you will, but your attitude and demeanor gave nothing to be desired.

If you have potential solutions to our problems you need to let voters know what those ideas are in a positive manner. Right now you are turning party people against you. I want to work with you and will do what I can to maintain a good relationship but please change your campaign to positive.

Pam Updike
Executive Assistant
Mayor's Office
300 Cherry St
Huntington IN 46750
260-356-1400 x212
260-358-2338 Fax

Pam,

While I do respect your opinion, I must respectfully disagree with your assertions that I was bashing or tossing accusations at Dan and received very positive feedback, especially from the newspaper article the following day. I spent 80% of my time laying out my positions on the issues I find important. The rest of my time was contrasting our differences. I not once attacked or "bashed" Dan personally, the same can not be said about him. I disagreed with him and challenged him on his votes on the property tax relief checks, contrasted and challenged him on special interest groups and offered him the opportunity to clarify some earlier remarks. If these are not differences between our campaigns, Dan did not vote against Property tax relief checks, didn't take money from special interest groups or didn't vote for the pay increase, I will gladly issue an apology. Isn't Dan's campaign more than capable to correct and defend anything they feel is incorrect?

I think you will find I am a very positive person and that is conveyed to people I meet. I have a very positive agenda and take that to the people of Huntington and Whitley counties every day, along with contrasting my differences with Dan and that is why my support continues to grow. Out of respect to you as the party chairwoman, I will take your advice under consideration with my advisers but will continue to put forth my stances on the issues and contrast the differences with my opponents. Thanks for the advice and have a nice day.

Gary

Redefined

2008-06-30T15:55:41Z

Hindsight is 20/20. Unfortunately, we have to learn life's valuable lessons without the benefit of hindsight and only hope to learn from it. I decided to seek the Republican nomination for State Representative this past primary season with a socially conservative, pro-working, middle-class agenda. And while the Huntington County Republican Party was socially conservative, I think, the leadership did not want to hear about a pro-working, middle-class platform. I assumed the Huntington County Republican Party would be open and accepting of a fresh new face to the party, a newcomer to town if you will. I now know what happens when you assume. While there was much acceptance for me by many members of the party, the party leadership took every opportunity, by actions and words, to let me know I was not welcome in their Republican Party. They would have no part of debate on the important issues facing Huntington County, instead they chose personal attacks over debate on the issues. The middle-class dies while the Republican Party sleeps. So, where is a socially conservative, anti-special interest, pro-working, middle-class person to call home?

I approach Ken Zuk, Huntington County Democrat Chairperson, very much afraid of the "liberal " stigma attached to his national party. Our conversation lead me to conclude that Mr. Zuk had a home for the old "Reagan Democrat" or "Blue Dog Democrat" in the Huntington County Democrat Party. The social conservative, middle-class voter that left the Democrats for the Republican Party under President Ronald Reagan; the same ones going back to the Democrat Party because the Republican Party has become the party of special interest groups. I cannot and will not reconcile my pro-life, social conservative values with the "liberal" wing of the party, but I will be a voice for the dying middle-class, a voice that the Huntington County Republican Party leadership tried to silence. And I will now be that voice in the Huntington County Democrat Party.

5,193, the number of voters in the Democrat Primary in Huntington County and more votes cast than in the Republican primary. While there may be many reasons for this; the fact remains those Democrat Primary voters will have no voice in who there State Representative, County Commissioner, County Council person or County Treasurer will be because there was no candidate in the Democrat Primary for those positions. Positions that represent the government closest to the people. Until now!

After much thought and consideration, and prodding, I have decided to give those 5,193 Democrat Primary voters and Huntington County voters in general a voice in who their who their next County Councilman will be. There are many problems facing Huntington County: one of the states highest unemployment rates, budget shortfalls, good paying factory jobs leaving the county, a tax and spend County Council, as labeled by a recent Herald-Press article, and a one party system that has bought us to this crucial point in time. I am a socially conservative, pro-middle class "Reagan Democrat" ready to be your voice on the county council. I am asking for your vote for County Council.

No Choice in November

2008-06-26T15:51:38Z

With the announcement of the Huntington County Democratic Caucus coming today from Chairman Ken Zuk, it is unfortunate there will be no one to nominate to give the voters of Huntington County a choice. Unless someone steps forward, more than 50% of the primary voters in Huntington County will have no voice in who there next State Representative, County Commissioner, County Council person or County Treasurer will be. Sure, you will have a clear choice in the race for President, Governor and Congressman, but when it comes to the government closest to the people, we have to trust the Republicans to know what they are doing, and judging by past performance, I would prefer a choice.

The problem is the Democrats are labeled a very liberal party, which they are at the national and to some extent, the state level and Huntington County is not a liberal place. What they are is a very socially conservative blue-collar working middle-class constituency. And while the Republicans do represent the social conservative part of Huntington, the certainly do not watch out for the middle-class. We need the old "Reagan Democrats" or "Blue-Dog Democrats" to come forward and challenge the monopoly of the Huntington County Republican Party. Break the stigma of the liberal mantra placed on you by your national party. For until you do, you will continue to have no choice in November and keep getting the same recycled policies from the same Republican leaders in different offices.

Huntington County Democrat Caucus

2008-06-26T15:13:44Z

The Huntington County Democratic Chairman, Ken Zuk, has called for a caucus on Saturday, June 28th at 9 am. in the Democrat headquarters meeting room - 20 N. Jefferson St., Huntington, IN. On the agenda will be the election of a Town Council member in Andrews, due to the resignation of David Jones. Also, the longtime Treasurer of the party, Wanda Wolf, is stepping down and passing the keeping of the books onto a new member. Judy Ruble has put her name forward to take over the Treasurer's duties. Other party business will be handled at the caucus include the election to fill ballot vacancies for the General election in November. No candidates at this time have made commitments to run. The chairman promises a very "tight" meeting. All precinct committee persons are required to attend.

Where are the Democrats?

2008-06-12T15:54:21Z

With the primaries now history and we get ready to turn our attention to the general election, I have to ask, where are the Democrats in Huntington County? I know there are at least 3, I've talked to them and they don't bite. I would even go out on a limb and say they are socially conservative, for the most part, but are concerned about middle-class issues. Do I need to qualify the last statement by saying unlike the local Republican Party or is that just a given? Unfortunately, they have the stigma of a very liberal national party hanging around their neck; the scarlet "L".

Why do I mention this, because without a strong opposition party in Huntington, many people have no place to go. The old "Reagan Democrats" are either forced to support a liberal national party or support a Republican Party only concerned about special interest groups. And without a strong conservative Democratic Party, local Republicans have free reign over local government; where the few control the many, unopposed.

The Huntington Democrat Party needs to divorce itself from the ultra-liberals in their national party and to a certain extent, the state party. Follow the lead of your neighbors to the north, Whitley County, and put forth some social conservative, pro working middle-class candidates who are not afraid distance themselves from the ultra-liberal wing of your party. Until you do, we will continue to have no choice in November and no one to hold our elected officials accountable.

Lawsuit Update

2008-06-11T11:45:33Z

The lawsuit filed by Joanie Stoffel against the State of Indiana, Huntington County Assessor, the Huntington County Commissioners and County Council has been amended. The original lawsuit named County Councilman Dave Davenriner as a party to the lawsuit, the lawsuit has been corrected to reflect Mr. Davenriner's correct first name of Don. The lawsuit also names Kristi Scher, who is no longer on the county council. Again, the lawsuit has been amended to show Pam Updike as a defendant to the lawsuit. Mrs. Updike is the wife of Mayor Steve Updike and also serves as his executive assistant, Huntington County Republican Chairwoman along with her position as a county councilwoman.

Election Manipulation

2008-06-09T14:02:47Z

Rep. Marlin Stutzman was selected to replace retiring State Senator Bob Meeks on Saturday. Rep. Stutzman was selected on the third ballot and defeated Rep. Matt Bell, who was endorsed by Senate Pro-term David Long and Sen. Meeks. Rep. Stutzman will now meet Democrat Fred Demske in the fall. While the story would normally end here with the congratulations going out to Rep. Stutzman and a thank you for your service to Sen. Meeks, I want to explore what I feel is a bigger story; the manipulation of the electoral process by the Republican party.

I am not one to accept the status quo and I ask questions when questions are not being asked. Rumors were running rampant as far back as last fall that Sen. Meeks may retire. Sen. Meeks then put his name on the ballot for the May primary knowing he probably was goings to retire. And with Sen. Meeks on the ballot, no sane Republican was going to challenge such a statesman. Sen. Meeks ran unopposed, won the primary and promptly announced his retirement. Now with Sen. Meeks retiring, the voters of SD 13 had no voice in choosing who their nominee would be for the general election and was left to the discretion of 60 or so precinct committee people? I know, my detractors will scream precinct committee people are elected. Well the fact is, very few are elected and most are appointed by the county chairman or women.

Wouldn't it have been swell if the Republican voters of SD 13 had a choice in choosing their nominee for the fall classic? Maybe have a campaign and let the voters choose between Rep. Stutzman, Rep. Bell and anybody else wanting to be the next SD 13 nominee? Does anyone besides myself see a smoky back room filled with a few party elite deciding they know what is best for the masses?

Ross McGinnis, Newest Medal of Honor Recipient

2008-06-06T10:03:42Z

My Quandary

2008-06-06T09:45:32Z

I want to republish the thank you note I sent out to my mailing list a couple weeks ago.

I want to start by thanking everyone for their support. As many of you know, I have only lived in House District 50 for about a year and still garnered 1 in 5 Republican votes in the primary. It was a truly humbling and learning experience.

Now here is my quandary; I have always considered myself a conservative and believed the Republican Party was my only refuge, after all:

· I am pro-life

· feel the less gun control the better, with the stipulation criminals and individuals with certified mental problems should not have guns.

· want a secure border

· feel the state should do more to fight illegal immigration

· believe marriage should be between one man and one woman

· want lower taxes and less government.

· I currently have a brother and brother-in-law fighting in Iraq and while I would like them to come home, I want them to do so as victors, not with their proverbial tail between their legs.

So what is the quandary you ask?

My quandary is a result of some very important observations and lessons learned during my time as a Republican Candidate for State Representative. We all know how the National Republican Party has alienated many middle-class conservatives, the old “Reagan Democrats.” And don’t get me wrong, the National Democratic Party is a lot worse, and is why they lost the “Reagan Democrats.” So on a national level; we are left to choose between the Ultra-liberal Democrats or the Special Interest Republicans. The conservative middle-class voter is dismissed, we have no home. But I am sure that is different at the state and local level, right?

Unfortunately, at least on the Republican side, it is not. As a Republican, you can speak against many of the conservative issues listed above, today’s Republican Party just give these issues lip service at best. What you cannot do is speak out against the special interest and lobbying groups that feed the Republican Party and their anointed candidates. You cannot speak of how the middle-class is being squeezed and dismissed by your own party. You are chastised when you challenge the record of your party’s elected officials. I have found these groups and their agenda’s to be the “Republican Holy Grail” and often at the expense of the middle-class.

Some will consider this column sour grapes, I would consider it an expression of my disappointment in a political party that has abandoned the conservative middle-class voter and the party officials who run it. So again my quandary, where is a social conservative who believes special interest groups have taken over the Republican Party and have all but abandoned the middle-class, by actions and words, call home? Are local Democrats more accepting of a social conservative who believes the working middle-class are being dismissed, ignored and squeezed?

You Called?

2008-06-06T08:48:13Z

There is much speculation about Sen. Waterman and his participation in the Governor's race. A Sen. Waterman candidacy would obviously add some excitement to the fall classic. So on a whim, I decided to give the good Senator a call last night and explore his stances on some issues important to me. Unfortunately, Sen. Waterman was not home and the young lady who did answer the phone indicated to me he was in Indianapolis meeting with the Governor. Wow, to be a fly on the wall in that meeting!