Thanks to Everyone who supported me!

I want to thank everyone who supported me during the primary election. I would not be telling the truth if I said I was not stunned by the results of the election. Approximately 5% of the voters choose the Republican candidate for Mayor, with a turnout of about 1480 voters.

I simply don't know where I failed. I have 8 months remaining and during that remaining time I will try to complete some of the goals I had wanted to see finished.

I will be taking the next few days to review where we fell short of getting our message out. I do know that a core group of individuals that personally despise me, and what we were trying to accomplish, were very active and vocal in the public. It is difficult to dispel such groundless personal attacks and lies. Dirty politics are alive and well in Connersville.

Thanks again for your support and your kind words of encouragement.

The Day Before the Primary.......

From the moment I first filed for re-election for Mayor, I promised my family and everyone that was connected to my campaign that I would run with the dignity and respect that the office deserves. I have tried to speak directly to the issues and not the egos that have been connected to this primary race.

I had hoped, perhaps naively so, that this election would be like the past City Council district 3 and Mayor races I had run in previous years. My previous Mayors race against Mr. Scott Bevington in 2003 , while spirited was amicable. In the General Election against Mr. Bernie Crispin, was very friendly and we enjoyed appearing together to discuss our plans for the city and our viewpoints. Both Bevington and Crispin realized that campaigns do not need to be personal. It is my opinion that they were actually running to make a positive difference in their community, not to show everyone that they were "better then the Mayor" or settling a personal score.

I am proud to say I have kept that promise. Unfortunately, others connected to this primary election cannot say the same. I have had dozens of my yard signs stolen from their home and business owner approved locations. Some business owners that had asked for my signs have been harassed, threatened and coerced into removing my political signs. Numerous professionally made signs were placed in key positions throughout the city, including my residence in the dark of night stating "ANYONE BUT MAX!".

None of these tactics have deterred me from my campaign plan, which is to focus on the issues facing Connersville. Regardless of the outcome tomorrow, I can rest well knowing that I ran a positive campaign and did not resort to such juvenile tactics under the cover of darkness.

Join Us at Party on the Square!

The weather held off nicely Saturday and Sunday proves to be a specatular day to visit the festivities at Party on the Square. There is live entertainment and lots of things to see and do. Sarah Over, Donna Schroeder, Rick Lemen and all the folks working on the Party on the Square committee have done a great job. So stop in and see what's going on downtown this Sunday.

National Day of Prayer

May 3rd, 2007 is dedicated as the national day of prayer. At Noon today at the Fayette County Court House citizens of all ages gathered together to hear members of the Fayette County Ministerial Association, Connersville Fire Department, State Police, Mayor, and others to remember our nation in their daily devotionals and prayers. I was honored to once again to have been asked to read a Proclaimation declaring today "America, Unite in Prayer".

Music was provided by the Eastview School Choir grades 3 - 5 and lead by Ms. Teresa Lewis, Director. The children sang two selection "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America".

I appreciate all those that worked so hard to bring this celebration of prayer to the citizens of Connersville.

Judge for yourself.......

Being Mayor means more than just lip service and talking the talk, you have to walk the walk! Judge for yourself whether or not being respectful to everyone means everyone, not just your friends appearing before council asking for special treatment!

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Less Then One Week To Go!

With only 7 days left to the primary election time is running short to get our message out. I have not been able to make BLOG entries as often as I would like due to the fact I have had a city to run! But be assured that there have been many things happening since my last entry.

First, good news from Washington D.C.! We have received news that our application to extend TAA services to displaced workers (not just Visteon, but others displaced due to foreign competition) have been approved. This is GREAT news for Connersville workers.

Second, I talked with a retail developer that is moving forward and anxious to start their plans to bring a retail complex to the North End of Connersville. Not going to happen you say?? Is happening I say!! Sorry Mr. Negativity but the plans for the new retail area are moving forward!!!!

Thirdly, we met with representitves of University of Michigan to help with our local jobs situation and how to improve expand our job attraction process. There will be several meetings with a number of individuals and groups throughout the community that will help to define our strengths and weaknesses and how to improve both.

All for now!