This past Saturday, Huntington Indiana held its annual Heritage Days Parade. Along with the floats, emergency personnel, and high school kids, came the local officials and candidates. As our Mayor Updike and his wife passed, a silence descended that showed the readiness of the people for his departure. A few cars later came the former mayor (Terry Abbott), a candidate for the next election for that post.
Representative Dan Burton's antique firetruck went past and as usual, Representative Dan Leonard rode his antique bicycle.
Terry Stoffel, the Republican candidate for Sheriff had a nice gold covered following. He is a well liked person in the community. A former Chief of Police and a former business owner, Mr. Stoffel won the primary without much of a problem.
The biggest surprise was Steven Ochs, the independent candidate for Sheriff. Besides the normal stopping and shaking of hands, he was followed by a sea of red shirts that were worn by his supporters. And while this is not unusual, something amazing happened. Along the whole route of the parade, bystanders were leaving the crowds to follow this candidate. This Marine officer and decorated war veteran had drawn support not seen in Huntington since our local boy, former Senator and Vice President Dan Quayle, ran for office.
The Huntington County Tea Party came out dressed in Revolutionary clothing and had Thomas Paine riding their float. They were backed by militia members prodly displaying Old Glory. And as our veterans, National Guard came by, proudly displaying the colors of our country, the people stood and paid their respects, as they did everytime our flag came by.
The people of Huntington seem to be tired of the politics of usual and are willing to forgo the two party system, at least for one race.
Comments
Were you at the parade? The "sea of supporters" for Ochs, looked more like a puddle. Most of the people who joined in the parade must have set down when they went past me. 28 is a long way from a sea.
Are you kidding me? Where did you come up with this article? You couldn't have been at this parade. Maybe Mr, G wrote this for you....
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