Kreg Battles for State Representative

Privatize This

2006-10-04T08:11:00.000-05:00

Sounds like the auction of Northern Indiana's infrastructure is far from over. Taking Down Words covers the story here.

From TDW:

In a story today by Pat Guinane, the Times of Northwest Indiana reveals that the state may or may not be in talks to privatize the South Shore Line in a deal similar to the long-term Toll Road lease. Because that proposal went over sooooo swimmingly in Northern Indiana. Just ask Count Chocola. And all the people who live up there who aren't so fond of having their assets up on the auction block.

Princeton Daily Clarion Covers AARP Event

2006-10-04T08:06:00.000-05:00

Check out the PDC's article on yesterday's AARP forum.

From the Princeton Daily Clarion:

The candidates were also asked their stances on an issue that's raised much debate over the past several years in the 64th District - the question of daylight savings time.

Up until this point, the candidates had stuck to the format of the event with each man being allowed to answer a question, with the other giving a response.

Battles said Woodruff had promised his constituency that he would not vote for daylight savings time for Knox County. Woodruff eventually voted for having daylight savings time for Knox County in the state legislature.

Battles said he supported a state-wide referendum on which timezone the state should switch to. “He made a promise and a trust was broken,” Battles said.

Woodruff interjected and asked to respond to Battles. He was allowed a two minute response by moderator June Lyle, associate state director for the AARP.

Woodruff said he had changed his mind and voted to switch Knox County to daylight savings time, but he had made the decision because it was his belief switching to the system used by the most of the country would attract business.

“Yes, I did change my vote, but I did it to bring business back to this community,” Woodruff said.

AARP Event

2006-10-02T23:42:00.000-05:00

Campaign Event

Tomorrow Kreg will be at a Q&A put on by the AARP. Our opponent has been invited but from the mailing AARP sent out, I am unsure if he is going to be in attendance. Unfortunately, the Libertarian Candidate, J.A. Thomas was not invited. The Sun-Commercial has covered the disturbing pattern of groups not inviting Mr. Thomas to candidate events. Hopefully the media coverage will help to change this.

The event will be held tomorrow (Tuesday 10/3) at the Vincennes University Student Union at 10 a.m.

Come out and hear the candidates discuss their views on a variety of issues.

To see the candidates' responses to the AARP survey click here

Star Covers Race in the 64th

2006-10-02T09:59:00.000-05:00

I appologize for the innactivity on the blog. I will do my best to post more regularly. Things have picked up significantly.

In today's Indy Star, Mary Beth Schneider covered our race. She highlights the general mood in the district as angry. One Vincennes resident had this to say:

At the Mouzin Barber Shop in Vincennes, a state map on the wall is marked with the time zones to help customers. Nearby Illinois is on Central Time, and the adoption of daylight-saving time is changing all the rules residents have used to tell time, whether they're in Indiana or Illinois.
Barber Larry Mouzin, asked whom he will support for state representative said bluntly: "Not Woodruff."
"He said he wouldn't vote for it. Then, whammo!" Mouzin said.

But Woodruff doesn't feel that way.

Woodruff, a district representative for U.S. Rep. John Hostettler, R-Evansville, said he believes he did the right thing when he voted for daylight-saving time, though he laments having promised not to.

"I should have handled DST differently; I do regret that," he said.

Still, Woodruff doesn't think he was untruthful to constituents.

To read the entire article click here

Hazleton to Celebrate 150th Birthday

2006-09-17T22:01:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, September 24th Hazleton will be celebrating that tounge-twister-of-a-word "Sesquicentenial" (150th) celebration.

Join them at the HUMM Center (old Hazleton High School) with fellowship at 9:30 am, church service at 10 am and lunch at 11 am.

So come out and eat BBQ, ham, bread, and birthday cake to celebrate Hazleton's 150th B-day!

Volunteer of the Week

2006-09-17T21:47:00.000-05:00

This week's Volunteer of the Week award goes to Chuck and Elsie Eisenhut. They have been hard at work putting up big Kreg Battles for State Representative signs across the district. We appreciate all of their hard work and support!

Thank you Chuck and Elsie!

Toll Road counties give Guv a not-so-warm welcome

2006-09-17T09:04:00.000-05:00

Governor Daniels decided to go up north to hand out checks to the Toll Road counties for selling off the road. He was greeted by protestors carrying "Ditch Mitch" signs.

From the IndyStar:

Waiting for him outside City Hall, however, were about three dozen protesters, waving signs that read "Ditch Mitch" and "Enough is Enough."

For a few minutes, Daniels verbally sparred with his critics, challenging their assertion that the Toll Road had made money and could have continued to do so in state hands.

"I don't want to embarrass you," he told one man, "but you're wrong."

Neither his words nor the $40 million check he'd brought the county made a difference. As they chanted, "One-term Mitch," he turned away.

The article profiles several of the House races up north that the Democrats are targetting this fall.

Letter to the Editor of the Sun-Commercial

2006-09-15T12:00:00.000-05:00

In yesterday's paper, the Vincennes Sun-Commercial covered two letters to the editor. One was written by Kreg and the other a supporter, Mike McClure. Unfortunately, the Sun-Commercial website doesn't post their letters to the editor so I've typed them up for you. I appologize if there is a typo or misprint. Note: Battles did send this letter to the other papers in the District.

Candidate pledges to work hard for voters

My dad, Marion Battles, taught me at an early age the value of hard work and I have applied that lesson to my first campaign. It has truly been a remarkable experience to walk in parades and attend each county's fair. I have been knocking on doors in every city and town to give you the opportunity to ask the tough questions and to voice your concerns and opinions about the direction our state is headed. To date, we have knocked on over 15,000 doors and I will continue to come to your door to make sure that if you have a concern or issue, I will hear it. I feel that it is important as a candidate for the House of Representatives that I make myself available to the people whom I wish to represent.

I have been amazed at your willingness to share your concerns and ask questions about my plans, if elected. As I have traveled across the district, I have seen firsthand your desire to be heard. You are tired of being told what it is you want. Many of you feel as though your voices have been falling on deaf ears with those who are currently in office. You have see your Representatives put their own agendas before that of yours; the very people they were chosen to represent. Most of you are unhappy with the partisanship that has consumed politics today. You are facing serious challenges in your lives and it is time that public servants begin to find solutions to these problems and no longer be a part of the problem.

At your door, I have heard your demands to lower the price of gasoline, to find ways to make health care more affordable, and to reduce the property tax burden that is forcing people from their homes. Most importantly, I have heard your calls for honest representation in Indianapolis.

I hope that you will give me the opportunity to represent you and to fight on your behalf in Indianapolis. I don't make many promises, but I can promise you this: I will always work hard for you, I will always listen, and if I give you my word, I will follow through on it.

Kreg Battles

Supporting Battles in Nov. 7 general election

I recently heard Rep. Woodruff's latest campaign ad about all fo the jobs that he is claiming to have created for us down here and it has left me scratching my head.

I must have missed the memo that he was responsible for the expansion of the Toyota plant. I was under the impression that Toyota came here before he was even in office and always that the intention of expanding.

I also would like to know where in the district the 14 ethanol plants are. He seems to foget that Indianapolis and other places up north are not in his district.

...It's time that we have a Representative that will not only keep his word but also will take credit for the projects that he actually is responsible for. I'm voting for honest representation. I'm voting for Kreg Battles.

Mike McClure
Vincennes

Battles fighting to make health care more affordable

2006-09-12T15:18:00.000-05:00

Kreg has seen how families across Southwest Indiana are struggling to find affordable health care. It is time that we have a leader who will fight for working families and find solutions to lower the cost of health care.

His plan:

Allow pooling for small businesses to lower premiums and allow them to provide coverage for their employees
Tax incentives for businesses that provide health care coverage
Negotiating for lower prescription durg prices
Standing up to the health care special interests

Post-Election Property Tax Hike

2006-09-11T10:31:00.000-05:00

Looks like Hoosier families can expect up to a 15% hike in their property taxes. Seems pretty convenient that this will come after the November election.

From the IndyStar:

State legislative analysts say the shake-up, on average, will mean a 15 percent increase in homeowners' taxes. Increases for commercial property are likely to be lower.

With the 2006 election less than two months away, voters will be choosing lawmakers who could find themselves confronting the biggest tax challenges since Indiana overhauled property assessments five years ago.

The Fifth Anniversary of 9/11

2006-09-11T09:16:00.000-05:00

Today we remember those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93.

Passing of a Friend

2006-09-09T23:54:00.000-05:00

It is another sad day for all of us. Harold "Doc" Wethington passed away Friday. Doc will be missed by all who knew him. Our condolences go out to his wife, Debbie, and all of their family. We are truly saddened by this loss.

From the Evansville Courier & Press:

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006, at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton, with the Rev. Frank McCandless officiating. Burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Princeton. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be made online at www.colvinfuneralhome.com.

Facebook Group

2006-09-09T23:42:00.000-05:00

For all of the High School and College students that are supporting Kreg Battles check out the Facebook group Students for Kreg Battles.

There are already over 180 students who have joined the group and are supporting Kreg's campaign!

We will post updates on the campaign and volunteer opportunities for students to keep up on.

A Sad Day for All

2006-09-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

Today, a good friend of the Battles' and many of our friends and supporters, passed away. We are saddened by the passing of Chuck Shots. He was a warm-hearted and kind man. Our condolences go out to Chuck's family and loved ones.

The viewing will be on Sunday from 4-7 pm at Goodwin Funeral Home (On the corner of 6th and Broadway).

The funeral ceremony will be held on Monday at 1pm at Goodwin Funeral Home.

Battles' Campaign Completes Round 1 of District

2006-09-06T21:07:00.000-05:00

After this evening, the Battles Campaign has walked every "walkable" precinct in the District. Tomorrow we will begin round 2 targetting precincts across the district to hit a 2nd and 3rd time.

Though we walk almost every day of the week, we will be stepping up the canvassing even more. We hope that you will come out and join us as we meet with residence of the district to hear their concerns and continue to let people know who Kreg is and what he stands for.

Over 15,000 doors and still going!

Thanks for all of your help. We could not have done this without all of the time and effort that you all have volunteered to helping the campaign!

Thanks from all of us!

AP Profiles Heated House District 64 Race

2006-09-05T22:45:00.000-05:00

The Sun-Commercial and Indy Star ran an article Mike Smith of the Associated Press (AP) about the negative campaigning that Rep. Woodruff began in the early summer.

From the IndyStar:

A microcosm of the situation involving alleged misleading claims has occurred in the House District 64 race in southwestern Indiana between Republican Rep. Troy Woodruff and Democrat Kreg Battles.

One mass mailing piece by Woodruff, cited by the Evansville Courier & Press, says he authored the bill to end lifetime state health care benefits for legislators. It blames House Democrats for creating the "outrageous perk for themselves."

"My opponent, Kreg Battles, wants that same Democrat leadership team back in power," the piece says.

The benefits were actually put in place by Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton, a Republican, and former Democratic House Speaker John Gregg. They were rescinded for future House members administratively by Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma, not through Woodruff's bills.

To read more click here.

The blog Taking Down Words (TDW) posted about the AP article here.

Volunteer of the Week

2006-09-04T21:32:00.000-05:00

To show our appreciation for all of the time you all put in to helping Kreg's campaign, we will be starting a Volunteer of the Week Award to recognize the volunteer who's lending hand stands out. Check out the blog each Sunday to see who was named the "Volunteer of the Week"!

On Labor Day, remember America was built by workers not CEO's

2006-09-04T16:52:00.000-05:00

"I know all the CEOs well,"
- Rep. Woodruff in the Vincennes
Sun-Commercial on 9/1/06

(Political Cartoon from the Evansville Courier & Press on 9/4/06)

Star Covers Race in the 64th

2006-09-03T08:45:00.000-05:00

Today's Indianapolis Star article highlights the Governor's absence, so far, on the campaign trail for House Republicans. The article focuses on two Republican incumbents, Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Lakeville) and the 64th's Rep. Troy Woodruff (R-Vincennes).

From the IndyStar:

That would be a not-so-subtle reference to state Rep. Troy Woodruff, the Vincennes Republican who is the Democrats' top target this year.

Woodruff -- who won his seat in 2004 by 193 votes -- had vowed to oppose daylight-saving time but switched at the last minute to ensure the bill's passage.

Woodruff said there are voters who won't forgive him, but others are beginning to see the benefits of the time change. And though he hasn't had Daniels come to the district to campaign for him, he'd be welcome.

"There's a reason why in 2004 people voted for him.I'd never turn my back on the guy.I'd stand by him today, tomorrow and every day," Woodruff said.

Democrat Kreg Battles, the Vincennes Lincoln High School chemistry teacher who is running against Woodruff, said it's that kind of attitude that has voters looking for a new state representative. People want someone who listens to them.

Though Daniels won't be out campaigning on Labor Day, Battles will be -- it's his 48th birthday.
Sometime over this weekend, he said, he'll knock on his 15,000th door, in addition to the parades and picnics he'll attend.

Catch the quote in bold?

Welcome!

2006-09-01T09:46:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Official Kreg Battles for State Representative website and blog!

We hope that you enjoy the site and please let us know if there are any errors or glitches.

Our intent is to keep the blog pretty active and up-to-date with the happenings of the campaign. We will post pictures from events, letters from supporters, and other newsworthy pieces of information. The blog is still being constructed and will much better after the weekend.

If you want to be added to our email list, go to the "Get Involved" section of the website listed on the left column of links!

Thanks again for all of the support you have given us!

www.kregbattles.com