Republican Joseph E. (Joe) Buck will take on Democrat David Oresik in the race for the Ward 2 seat on the Logansport City Council.

What do you see as the issues in this campaign?

Buck: The No. 1 problem that Logansport faces is the lack of jobs!

This lack of jobs has affected many aspects of life in this city of ours. LMU's lack of customers Industrial and Residential has reduced their income while their operating costs have not dropped, this has crated significant losses.

Vacant and abandoned housing is creating problems for the city and lost tax revenue. 900 to 1,000 empty units plus empty factories and stores.

With the depressed economy we need the city and county councils to work together to find ways to combine our processes to conserve the funding that we have to maintain the vital public safety services that we all depend on daily.

Oresik: The issue for all elections seems to be jobs. What's rarely discussed is how do we get jobs? I believe that the three factors affecting jobs and economic development are infrastructure, education and public safety.

In order to maintain businesses, attract new businesses, and be able to serve customers is to provide the necessary infrastructure.

Sidewalks and storm water management are especially important to the second ward. For every $100 invested in infrastructure, $350 in economic development is created.

An educated workforce is necessary to provide workers for businesses in Logansport. We need to promote K-12, college and vocational education. The new Ivy Tech, Trine University and the CLEAR program need to be fully utilized.

Public safety can be enhanced by establishing neighborhood watch programs to give our law enforcement officers as many eyes as possible.  It is also vital to at least maintain the present number of officers on the force.  I also support keeping the South side Fire Station open.

We must also understand that infrastructure, education, and public safety are inter-related.  Infrastructure creates jobs.  education not only enhances economic development but results in safer neighborhoods. Economic opportunity also makes our community safer.

Why should voters choose you?

Buck: If elected I will be a new voice for Ward 2, the south and west sides of the city where I have lived since 1974. That voice will represent our families to improve Logansport for all of us.

We need to reduce restrictive regulations that hamper business startups, because we need the jobs that can be provided.

Parks and trails are nice assets for any city; however, we need the jobs to support our city first! We already have a very well maintained park system, Riverside with the Carousel, Tower, Bishop, Spencer, etc. These parks have playgrounds, ball diamonds and pavilions for picnics.

Gang violence is a growing problem and needs to be addressed. A possible gang task force of city and county law enforcement could have a dramatic impact to curtail gang activity.

Most grants are from state and federal tax money — we pay these taxes! To say this is not Logansport tax money is not exactly the whole truth.

The 18th Street project will still require a 20 percent match to complete. That is money we do not have and will not have without jobs and increased tax revenues from higher employment.

Oresik: I'm asking for your vote because I'm committed to serving the second ward. I've attended all the West Logan meetings. West Logan was developed by Area 5 to strengthen our neighborhoods.

As a member of the planning commission, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with the people of Logansport in developing our present comprehensive plan for the future of our city. I've also gone door to door in Ward 2 since 2004, giving citizens the opportunity to be heard even when I wasn't running for office. Elect Dave Oresik for Ward 2 city council.