One of the biggest surprises – and announcements – from Mayor Tom Henry’s State of the City address had little to do with city government at all.KENDALLVILLE – Many in the crowd of nearly 100 wanted Kendallville’s City Council to send a strong message to the federal government Tuesday night – stay out of state affairs and give local officials more freedom to operate without big government.
Most left the meeting shaking their heads and shrugging their shoulders.
The council voted 3-1 to reject a state sovereignty resolution, similar to many others that have been brought before state governments across the nation this year. These resolutions call for state governments to urge officials in Washington, D.C., to honor the 10th Amendment and leave the states to handle certain aspects of governing.
The resolution proposed in Kendallville was brought about by the Northeast Indiana 912 Project, a chapter of the national organization founded by Glenn Beck, radio talk show host and Fox News Channel personality.
“To me it’s a no-brainer to support the Constitution of the United States,” Councilman Regan Ford, R-at large, the only member who voted for the resolution, said before the vote.
Kendallville Mayor W. Suzanne Handshoe read a statement during the meeting, saying that because she represents all of Kendallville, such a resolution “will be alienating as many people as it will provide inspiration for.”
