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GOP council members seek to unseat Lawrence mayor

LAWRENCE, Ind. (WISH) — Negative campaigns are a tradition in Lawrence where Republicans are now accusing Democratic Mayor Dean Jessup of misleading voters.

Nevertheless, Jessup remains a favorite in his bid for re-election.

Stormwater is an issue in the race.

Republican city council member Tom Shevlot points to an industrial park off Pendleton Pike as the prime example why changes are required in the way Lawrence handles stormwater.

Shevlot supports fellow council member Steve Collier in the race for mayor, and he objects to a recent insert in Lawrence water bills that gave the mayor credit for a deal with the city of Indianapolis to invest millions in Lawrence to address the problem.

“He writes this,” said Shevlot in reference to the insert, “but Indianapolis says there’s no such agreement. That’s the bottom line.

When asked if the mayor is using the water bills for campaign purposes, Shevlot says, “I do.”

Mayor Jessup admits that the deal mentioned in the water bill insert is not final.

“We don’t have the signed document yet,” he said.

Nevertheless, he stands behind the insert.

“I think the people have a right to know that their stormwater situation is being worked on, is going to be resolved, and how it’s going to be resolved,” said Jessup. “I see that as an informative piece. I’m not seeing it as a political piece at all.”

Jessup says it will all be settled before the November election.

A spokesman for the city of Indianapolis says that, technically, both sides are right.

There is no formal agreement, but there is a memorandum of understanding that could yet be formalized by the end of the month.

Did the mayor jump the gun?

That’s for voters to decide.