A press conference was held at 4pm today by the Committee to Elect John Nixon.  Five of the seven current Lima City Council Members (not including those running for President) were present to show their support and endorse John Nixon for Lima City Council President.  Councilors in attendance were Zach Broshes (2nd Ward), Kyle Lewis (3rd Ward), Tom Tebben (4th Ward), Paige Townsend (7th Ward), and Walter Potts (8th Ward).  Several former Councilors were also in attendance.

Over the past 16 years serving the citizens of Lima, John Nixon has worked amicably with 3 Council Presidents and 29 different Council Members.  Many of these are supporting John's effort to remain as President of Lima City Council.  Even the challenger in his very first election race has supported John Nixon.  In addition, he has formed positive relationships with many Township Trustees and County Commissioners.

"I have executed my Council duties with honesty and integrity. I have been committed to and actively pursued making Lima the best it can be. The residents of Lima deserve a Council President that has demonstrated character and professionalism. I recently heard a friend use the axiom: 'Past is prologue'. What has happened in the past will likely repeat itself in the future. I think that says a lot in this campaign: I have demonstrated honesty and integrity in my position and I will continue to do so in the future!" - JohnNixon

Lima City Council Members who attended the press conference to endorse John Nixon:

As Sgt. Joe Friday used to say: “Just the facts, ma’am!” This is what I’m writing about today: facts.  After reading past letters, I’ve decided it was time to add my two cents, and without negative campaigning.

The fact is: John Nixon has served Lima 16 years, with quality service, to not only the people in two different wards as their elected councilman, but also all of Lima, as council president, elected unanimously by council.

The fact is: John Nixon has attended lots of meetings, all kinds, and about many subjects over these same 16 years.

The fact is: As a retired Lima firefighter, I can say John Nixon has made a priority of keeping Lima’s police and fire Departments running for the protection of its residents.

The fact is: John Nixon has learned through these many years of experience how to work with City Council, Lima’s administration, Lima’s employees, plus the private sector in keeping Lima functioning through tough times.

The fact is: When John is able, he can be a pit bull and hang onto to his personal beliefs, but, when necessary, he is flexible and willing to compromise for the good of all. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape.

The fact is: There is a good reason International Association of Firefighters Local 334 is supporting John Nixon. It’s because he’s tried, tested and proved worthy to be council president, given the job he’s already done.

I leave you with my last fact: In a recent forum for City Council president, it was reported in The Lima News that John’s opponent said Lima City Council is being run well and he wouldn’t make any changes. I agree wholeheartedly.

Larry E. Inskeep - Retired
Chaplain - Lima Fire Department

It’s rare to find a man running for a public position with the kind of honesty and integrity so abundant in John, a man who wants what’s best for Lima and all who live here. 

Years ago, we lived in the north end and a guy named John Nixon was running for City Council for the first time. Since 1989, I have come to know and respect John as a person, as a husband and father, and as a councilman. Some of the things I have noted along the way:

• John thinks before he talks, a trait more politicians should cultivate.
• John isn’t afraid to say he needs to know more about a subject before commenting on it, and then he seeks out the people knowledgeable on the subject.
• John doesn’t see the accomplishments the city has achieved as anything but the result of a team effort, not as his personal achievements since no one man is the government.
• John feels strongly about some issues, as most of us do, but he doesn’t abuse his position by taking advantage of the media coverage and turning the council room into a pulpit from which to espouse personal views.
• When city safety services were at risk of cuts, John rolled up his sleeves and spent hours reviewing the budget to find the money to keep policemen and firefighters for the safety of all Lima residents.
• John respects the roles of the three branches of government and appreciates the necessity of checks and balances in order to guide the decisionmaking process.
• John respects the rules that have been put in place to ensure political freedoms are not lost, such as the Sunshine law.

I encourage all Lima residents to vote for Nixon for City Council president.

Barbara Heffner - Lima

I have known John Nixon for many years through his work on Lima City Council. John was initially in the 1st Ward and I was pastor at a church in the 6th Ward.  Throughout his career, it has been my experience that John has always listened to the concerns of residents of any part of the city. He has approached issues in an honest manner — looking for facts of an issue and being forthright and honest in his view. When John and I have differing views, he is honest and respectful, and I know where he stands.

John is always willing to seek common ground and to find solutions. Too many times, people are quick to point out problems, but very few are willing to accept the challenge of finding reasonable solutions. 

Over the years, Lima has had its ups and downs. John has demonstrated his commitment to working through the downs and working toward the upswings. Many times, John is the voice of reason on City Council. In order for Lima to grow and develop, it needs to keep a seasoned leader, John Nixon as council president.

Rev. Dr. B. LaMont Monford Sr. - Lima

It seems that the latest question in the north end of Lima is, “What has John Nixon done for you personally?”  Let me attempt to answer this question for you.  Mr. Nixon has been a member of the Lima City Council since 1990 with only a short break in service while he moved from the first to the second ward.  John has been both a member and Chairman of Council’s Finance Committee; finding funds to keep our safety services operating even in difficult times. This included finding the necessary funding to reinstate both laid-off firefighters and police officers, as well as, bringing firehouses back online that were once closed on a rotating basis.  Recently, Ms. Brennigan , an employee of  Mr. Magnus’, stated in a letter to the editor that she had asked Mr. Nixon if he was involved with any of the neighborhood organizations and if not, then why?  I have known John for nearly 20 years.  John works as a regional sales manager for a large corporation; this means the frequent possibility of extended work hours.  John is also a husband and father; with his wife support, he works to balance between family, work, and other commitments which include regular and special council meetings, as well as, Council committee meetings.  Interestingly, Ms. Brennan omits having spoken to John volunteering at a fundraiser 2 years in a row!  Being an active member of several organizations might be a reality for someone with no family commitments.  But it’s wrong to state that John Nixon is not active within the city of Lima or that John doesn’t care about the people that he so willingly represents.  Personally, the answer to the question is John Nixon has worked to keep Lima a better community.  I ask that you Vote John Nixon on November 6th.

G. James Berney
Chairman - Committee to Elect John Nixon

A candidate forum for Lima City Council President will be held on Wednesday, October 10 at 6pm at the Veteran's Memorial Civic and Convention Center. Candidates will answer questions from the media and the community. Everyone will have a chance to hear directly from Council President John Nixon and his challenger on the issues. This event is being hosted by the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Time Warner Cable.

Please join me in voting to keep Nixon as City Council president.  I served on Lima City Council from 1998 through 2005. In 1998, I was appointed to serve on the Finance Committee, chaired by John Nixon. During that period, I observed the following qualities of Nixon. These qualities form the basis as to why I believe Nixon should be retained as our City Council president.  I have observed John’s dedication to detail and his focus on how council’s decisions affect our residents. No one on the current council understands the complexities of the city budget/city finances as does Nixon. I am constantly impressed with his understanding of where city resources are appropriated and the effort to get the most out of our dollars spent.  His ability to work with the administration in years when city finances are extremely tight is of invaluable importance. As finance chairman he often, when asked, gave information and advice to other councilors and thus helped to clarify many issues. His leadership and knowledge needs to be retained on council.  In that same leadership capacity, he is acutely aware of the legislative process and holds strictly to the rules of council. We currently see this is a quality that is much needed on the council. John will communicate with the committee chairs to ensure their committee meetings are scheduled and open to the public.  Although John has served some 16 years on the council, he also has many years of business experience in the private sector. He has the ability to fully understand the many issues important to Lima and its future. He seems to me to have the sophistication needed to work with business/development officials and thus bring those insights to council.

Bill Moore
Lima
Former Member of Lima City Council