Democrat Robert Whalen has announced his candidacy for Marion County Commissioner in the November 4th general election. In a media release, he says the budget will be the overriding focus of the campaign.
“Things are tough. Unemployment is still high and growth in the county is negligible. That has to change. Instead of being reactive we have to be proactive,” Whalen said.
“I am worried that average for the county has become acceptable. While we continue to struggle with revenue and growth, places like Delaware and Union counties have the best unemployment rates in state and are held up as paragons of success. That should be our goal, but it takes leadership and ideas,” he continued.
The 33-year-old Whalen is married with 4 children.
A long time broadcaster for WDCM, WVXG and now Clear Channel, Whalen is a 1998 graduate of Marion Harding High School.
Whalen says his children and the children of all Marion County residents played a factor in his decision to run.
“The great people of this county work so hard to raise their children right. But if they want their kids to be successful, parents have to watch them move away from the county. Our greatest asset is being pushed away.”
In the coming weeks, Whalen said he will unveil his plan to bring jobs into Marion County.
“We are talking about jobs that pay enough to raise a family on. Jobs that become careers and are sought after in the same way manufacturing jobs from Marion’s past were dreamed of.”
The drug crisis and 9-1-1 consolidation are two other subjects Whalen sees as a big concern on resident’s minds.
“We are continuing to ask miracles from our law enforcement and judicial systems as a means to stop the drug epidemic. How do we curtail the problem is a serious question that has to be asked of everyone, not just candidates.”
A website, whalenforcommissioner.com will be online in the coming days and Whalen invites the public to share their concerns through the website or on Facebook at facebook.com/whalenforcommissioner.
The filing deadline is February 5 for partisan candidates in the 2014 Primary Election.
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