We would like to announce that our vice-presidential candidate is (drum roll…): Dale Way of Cassopolis, Michigan . Dale, in the tradition of our “average Joe” campaign, is, well, an average Joe – with some twists.

I've known Dale, 58, from the time our family lived in Bluffton , Ohio , several years ago. Dale lived there at the time, too.

If Bluffton (pop. 3,870) could be considered a microcosm of the country (which it could be), Dale could well have been considered something akin to: ‘president of Bluffton.'

No, he wasn't mayor.

More.

Dale was Bluffton's: “Vice Chair of Pro Business Voice” for the Chamber of Commerce; Parade Coordinator for the yearly Blaze of Lights Christmas Extravaganza; Entertainment Producer for the yearly Arts & Crafts Festival; Producer for “Tuesday Night Live,” showcasing local musicians at the Common Grounds Coffee Shop…

Whew, huh.

When asked what drives him to volunteer on this level, Dale responded:

“For me, the choices I make come down to following the only two commandments that Jesus gave: ‘Love God. And love your neighbor. I have spent a lifetime trying to define [and live out] those terms.”

And when Dale wasn't doing all this volunteering stuff in Bluffton, he was at band practice watching his three children, or buzzing about town as a handyman/painter for his Painter's Plus (…no job too small) business.

He isn't so much a house painter as he is a ‘house artist.' (I worked with him and he's that good, honest.) Actually, we're going to be relying on him to do some painting when we get to the White House.

Doesn't anybody out there think that it should be a different color? Maybe green?

Before his handyman business, Dale was an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church . For 16 years, he was assigned to various churches throughout Western Ohio – Bluffton being his last assignment.

He was told he was being reassigned again when he made the decision to stay in Bluffton because the frequent moving was becoming disruptive to family life, he said.

Beside his direct pastoral duties at each church, Dale served on the Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, was Dean of the Lima ( Ohio ) District Church Camp and was President of the Interchurch Board in Bluffton.

He also developed a free-will clothing store in Milford Center , Ohio , and implemented a “Meals on Wheels Program” in Holgate , Ohio .

“Being in relationship with God is central to all else,” Dale continued. “Going to church has been the one constant throughout my life. When things were going well, I could sing the praises. When things were not so good, I could sing the laments.

“Either way, from those expressions I could find the strength to face the next challenge of life.”

Dale has a Master of Divinity degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton , Ohio , and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Penn State University .

Dale is originally from Altoona, PA.

Dale recently took a job in the Maintenance Department at Camp Friedenswald , a Mennonite Church Camp near Cassopolis , Michigan , where he continues on with his favorite hobby, running. (Dale has completed two marathons.)

Dale is also an accomplished community theatre actor.

--Joe

P.S. - Check out the South Bend Tribune article on Dale