Generally, whenever we hear about the self storage industry and its relationship to the world of politics, the connection can be categorized in one of two different ways. Either it’s about some militant radical hiding weapons in a unit that the FBI/DEA/ATF or some other l.aw enforcement agency recently uncovered, or it’s in regards to state legislatures changing their state’s respective lien laws.
However, when it comes to the relationship between a pair the self storage industry in the state of Indiana—more specifically, the Logansport area—and politics, the connection is a bit different.
Earlier this year, George Stebbins, a resident of Cass County in Indiana, was appointed to take over a seat in the Cass County Council when a member decided to retire. Stebbins recently decided that he would seek reelection to the seat when the election is held next November.
“The council has worked well together during a difficult financial time,” Stebbins said in a press release. “We had to make many cuts in the budget for 2012. This would not have gone as smooth without the great working relationship we have with the county commissioners and the help from all the department heads.”
Stebbins also happens to be the owner of Stebbins Enterprises and the part owner of a pair of self storage facilities, East Main Mini Storage in Logansport, IN, and Kilgore Storage in Muncie, IN.
Self storage facilities have been involved in political aspirations in the past as well. In 2010, a man in Niagra Falls listed a self storage unit as his home address so that he could run for mayor.
"I could have rented an apartment, but why? Look at the money I saved ... If I'm elected, I'll find the cheapest way to do everything," promised ice salesman John Beam, whose new $50-a-month locker allows him to run for mayor outside his home city. "It (the rental) got me some publicity, too."
Other efforts have been more serious, like that of Stebbins. Sanders Dallas III, the owner of a self storage facility in High Point, North Carolina, organized a group of local business people in 2010 to get together and discuss economic issues within their community, especially how to improve it.
He is not running for any kind of office himself, but the group which he started has become a force in local politics. Several members filed to run for mayor as well as seats on the City Council.
Sources Used:
“Stebbins will seek to retain Cass Council seat.” PharosTribune.com; 30 November 2011.
“High Point Politics May have New ‘Kingmaker.’” Rhino Times; 15 July 2010.
“From storage locker to mayor's chair.” The Standard; 05 July, 2010.