September, 2008

"As much as we'll try to prepare polling sites, we can't have enough equipment" in the event of heavy voting, she said. She is anticipating lines at the polls on Nov. 4.

Absentee ballots can be cast in the Voter Registration Office or through the mail. With heavy turnout expected, the office will be open additional hours for absentee voting: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 28-30 and noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 2.

According to the Indy Star, Representative Walorski gives a thumbs-up to McCain’s surprise choice for VP.  Walorski generally states that the Republican Party is in for a positive change. 

"This is a brilliant move by Sen. McCain. It is about time that the Republicans at the national level include a conservative woman who is not a national insider.

"This selection confirms that McCain is not about business as usual. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are proven change makers. I believe this shows that he is serious about winning the election."

The cchrstl web blog details the lawsuit between the Rhoades family and Pen-Harris-Madison School Corp.  The school was charged for screening Chelsea Rhoades (student) without parental consent.  To escalate the issue, the school also misdiagnosed Chelsea from the mental health screening.  Representative Jackie Walorski wasted no time in addressing the issue.  She was delighted that a federal court ruled in the Rhoades favor.  She also stresses the consequences of crossing the parent-child relationship line.

“I am elated that the federal court is allowing the family the opportunity to pursue this lawsuit,” said state Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Jimtown) “This kind of testing without parental consent led me to go on a petition drive that collected more than 12,000 names and eventually resulted in a state law requiring written parental approval before screenings such as this.

“The court, through its ruling, reaffirms parents’ right to control their children’s mental and physical health and wellbeing,” Rep. Walorski said, “and it sends a message to schools and agencies that they should be very, very careful about interfering with parental prerogatives.”

“There are boundaries to keep schools and other agencies from interfering in the parent-child relationship,” Rep. Walorski said. “Those boundaries should not be ignored or taken lightly, and this case shines a light on that issue.”

According The Brazil Times, Bob Heaton toured Brazil’s YMCA to learn about the activities available for children after school.  Heaton is passionately campaigning for after-school programs in order to protect kids as well as offer them opportunities.

 "I've had many front-porch conversations the past few months across the district, and after-school programs are a real concern for many families," Bob Heaton, Cory, Republican candidate for House Dist. 46 State Representative, told The Brazil Times during a tour of the Clay County YMCA, 225 East Kruzan St. "Many parents, who have to work, are struggling with what to do with their children once the school day ends."

"Many children go home alone, where the 12- or 13-year-old is responsible for caring for their younger siblings," Heaton said. "We need to reach out to these families and provide enrichment programs that allow these children safe environments and educational advancement opportunities."