Starke County Clerk Shares Concerns with Election Board

Starke County Clerk Bernadette Welter-Manuel is trying to establish some ground rules with the rest of the county election board. During a contentious meeting last week, Welter-Manuel read from a prepared statement outlining a list of concerns. “One, I will only be attending properly posted public election board meetings going forward,” she said. “With this being said, I won’t take any action on anything that comes out of any other said meetings. I will not be answering anymore to where my clerks are at any meetings or events. They are my employees, my sole decision to have them or not. The budget that I give to run my office does not need approval or a vote from this board.”

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Several Elected Officials Unopposed Heading into Final Week of Candidate Filing

With less than a week left for candidates to file to run in the May primary, many incumbents remain unopposed. As of Friday afternoon, the only local contested race was for Knox clerk-treasurer. Colleen Hodge and Cyndi Mann-Kidder are vying for the Democratic Party nomination, according to the Starke County Clerk’s Office. Incumbent Jeff Houston is not seeking another term.

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First Day of Filing Ends with Three Candidates for Knox Offices

Three Democrats filed to run for office in the City of Knox on the first day of filing Wednesday. Mayor Dennis Estok and District 3 City Council Member Jeff V. Berg both filed for reelection, according to the Starke County Clerk’s Office, while Colleen A. Hodge filed to run for clerk-treasurer. Incumbent Jeff Houston is not seeking another term.

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