5 Candidates Seek 3 At-Large Seats On Silver Lake Town Council
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Times-Union Lifestyles Editor
SILVER LAKE - Five candidates are vying for three Silver Lake town council at-large seats.
Three Republicans: Wilbur J. Brake, Mabel L. Enyeart and Donna McCune; one Democrat, Brenda L. Wadkins; and one Libertarian, Gale Gean Owens are up for election.
Brake and Enyeart have each served one term as council members and seek re-election.
The current board, including Stanley Williams, who was appointed by caucus, recently completed a town-wide water line installation project, which also included the Silver Lake lake area northwest of town.
Voluntary annexation of the lake area is expected in 2000, which will double the town's population.
Wilbur Brake, Republican
Wilbur Brake has served one term as a Silver Lake town councilman and said he had no idea, four years ago, how the town was controlled by state government and town ordinances.
"It was also controlled by the majority vote of the council," Brake said. "We had a budget to go by and every year we would try for more money, but at the budget hearing we would get cut down $30,000 or $40,000.
"I realized we would have to run the town as a business and make do with what we had."
Brake said the current council inherited an antiquated water system.
"We had outdated controls, which we couldn't get parts for, rotten pipes and leaks. We had two wells to be worked on and a water tower to be repaired and not much money to do it with."
The town of Silver Lake sold water to Silver Lake residents through The Silver Lake Association. Since the Association was not incorporated, they had no way of obtaining grants or loans to meet state statutes.
"They came to us and asked for help, which we gave to them," Brake said.
The water project's price tag came to approximately $2.4 million. Various grants covered about half of the costs and the town has borrowed more than $1 million, which has increased the water rates for citizens.
"You don't just put a water or sewer rate increase on because you think we need it," Brake said. "You have a firm do the rate and they have to go by state and federal government rules. I live on a fixed income and I was not happy to pay a bigger water bill. We have to look ahead and not wait for more years and have to maybe pay double the costs.
"Our wells have been repaired and our tower and controls replaced. Now the townspeople and lake-area residents have meters and pay the same for water and sewer."
During his term the council has secured $1.94 million in grant money for well head protection ($50,000); to reduce sewage costs ($500,000); to hire a town marshal for three years ($67,000); for a new leaf machine ($0); $500,000 from the Department of Commerce for the water project; $70,000 Lottery money for the water project; and $744,000 from Rural Development for the water project.
Approximately $265,000 in grant funds is expected in the next two years to go toward a utility truck, a tractor-backhoe, snow removal equipment and a new fire truck for the town.
"With the help of the firemen's labor we were able to remodel the old part of the fire house," Brake said. "We also repaired the roofs of both buildings and put new roofs on the town hall and the water pump house. We've planted trees and black-topped most streets.
"We are cleaning up the town and enforcing the ordinances.
"I know not everyone is happy with what this council has done but we have tried to look ahead for what's best for the future, not back. I would like to have another term to help the people of our town," Brake said.
Mabel Enyeart, Republican
Mabel Enyeart has always lived in Silver Lake and in her current residence for more than 52 years.
She came to public service through the death of her husband, Truman, serving the remainder of his town council term beginning in March 1995. She was elected to the council in 1996.
"At times it's very stressful," Enyeart said of the public office, "but it also has its rewards. We're getting things accomplished like finishing the water system and putting in new trees."
She said the water project just had to be done and it just made sense to include the lake area. She knows the increased water rates haven't made everyone happy. She pays from $38 to $52.
"We're working now on annexation of the lake area and I'm hoping that's accomplished soon," Enyeart said.
With a Silver Lake population of 528 and about that number living at the lake, annexation will mean a doubling of the number of townspeople.
"Annexation may bring business and industry here," Enyeart said. "We're in need of a hardware store and a bigger grocery store. A larger population may attract new business. But we can't guarantee bringing any here, we can try."
The Republican would like to see new sidewalks installed in town and wants to continue planting trees, which she sees as an improvement.
An active church member, working for the community and family take up most of her time.
Gale Owens, Libertarian
Gale Owens, 44, seeks a town council seat as a Libertarian.
"I want to be able to help the people in town," Owens said. "The community means a lot to me and I'd like to see our town grow and prosper."
Owens is a member of the Silver Lake Lion's Club, coach for the youth league and past president of the sports organization. He, along with Bob Lichtenwalter, organized the Boys and Girls Club in 1992.
Owens would like to have the fire, emergency medical service and police departments under one roof.
"I'm in favor of the annexation because it will help the town with tax dollars and gas prices," he said. "The town's population is small without including the lake area residents. There are no new housing projects going on."
Owens would like to see more businesses come to town, citing the loss of the hardware and grocery stores recently.
"We need something to serve everyone. It's a hassle driving to Warsaw for everything. Over the years we've lost a lot of businesses."
Owens is a little shocked at the water and sewer bills he is paying as a result of the infrastructure improvement.
"Right now our family (of four) is paying $78 to $80 per month and there is talk about another rate increase. I won't vote for that."
Owens has been an employee of Par-Kan for 22 years.
He was a registered Republican for 20 years and decided to become a Libertarian after talking to members of that party.
"I liked their ideas," Owens said. "I like the idea of national government getting smaller and the local government having more say."
Owens and his wife, Dana, have three children: Jama Brown, 20; Matthew, 18; and Garna Ann, 11.
They were the original owners of Home Town Video in Silver Lake.
Donna McCune, Republican
Brenda Wadkins, Democrat
Neither McCune now Wadkins could be reached for an interview. They are also running for the at-large town council seat.
Teresa Howell, Republican
Teresa Howell, Republican, is running unopposed as Silver Lake town clerk. [[In-content Ad]]
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Times-Union Lifestyles Editor
SILVER LAKE - Five candidates are vying for three Silver Lake town council at-large seats.
Three Republicans: Wilbur J. Brake, Mabel L. Enyeart and Donna McCune; one Democrat, Brenda L. Wadkins; and one Libertarian, Gale Gean Owens are up for election.
Brake and Enyeart have each served one term as council members and seek re-election.
The current board, including Stanley Williams, who was appointed by caucus, recently completed a town-wide water line installation project, which also included the Silver Lake lake area northwest of town.
Voluntary annexation of the lake area is expected in 2000, which will double the town's population.
Wilbur Brake, Republican
Wilbur Brake has served one term as a Silver Lake town councilman and said he had no idea, four years ago, how the town was controlled by state government and town ordinances.
"It was also controlled by the majority vote of the council," Brake said. "We had a budget to go by and every year we would try for more money, but at the budget hearing we would get cut down $30,000 or $40,000.
"I realized we would have to run the town as a business and make do with what we had."
Brake said the current council inherited an antiquated water system.
"We had outdated controls, which we couldn't get parts for, rotten pipes and leaks. We had two wells to be worked on and a water tower to be repaired and not much money to do it with."
The town of Silver Lake sold water to Silver Lake residents through The Silver Lake Association. Since the Association was not incorporated, they had no way of obtaining grants or loans to meet state statutes.
"They came to us and asked for help, which we gave to them," Brake said.
The water project's price tag came to approximately $2.4 million. Various grants covered about half of the costs and the town has borrowed more than $1 million, which has increased the water rates for citizens.
"You don't just put a water or sewer rate increase on because you think we need it," Brake said. "You have a firm do the rate and they have to go by state and federal government rules. I live on a fixed income and I was not happy to pay a bigger water bill. We have to look ahead and not wait for more years and have to maybe pay double the costs.
"Our wells have been repaired and our tower and controls replaced. Now the townspeople and lake-area residents have meters and pay the same for water and sewer."
During his term the council has secured $1.94 million in grant money for well head protection ($50,000); to reduce sewage costs ($500,000); to hire a town marshal for three years ($67,000); for a new leaf machine ($0); $500,000 from the Department of Commerce for the water project; $70,000 Lottery money for the water project; and $744,000 from Rural Development for the water project.
Approximately $265,000 in grant funds is expected in the next two years to go toward a utility truck, a tractor-backhoe, snow removal equipment and a new fire truck for the town.
"With the help of the firemen's labor we were able to remodel the old part of the fire house," Brake said. "We also repaired the roofs of both buildings and put new roofs on the town hall and the water pump house. We've planted trees and black-topped most streets.
"We are cleaning up the town and enforcing the ordinances.
"I know not everyone is happy with what this council has done but we have tried to look ahead for what's best for the future, not back. I would like to have another term to help the people of our town," Brake said.
Mabel Enyeart, Republican
Mabel Enyeart has always lived in Silver Lake and in her current residence for more than 52 years.
She came to public service through the death of her husband, Truman, serving the remainder of his town council term beginning in March 1995. She was elected to the council in 1996.
"At times it's very stressful," Enyeart said of the public office, "but it also has its rewards. We're getting things accomplished like finishing the water system and putting in new trees."
She said the water project just had to be done and it just made sense to include the lake area. She knows the increased water rates haven't made everyone happy. She pays from $38 to $52.
"We're working now on annexation of the lake area and I'm hoping that's accomplished soon," Enyeart said.
With a Silver Lake population of 528 and about that number living at the lake, annexation will mean a doubling of the number of townspeople.
"Annexation may bring business and industry here," Enyeart said. "We're in need of a hardware store and a bigger grocery store. A larger population may attract new business. But we can't guarantee bringing any here, we can try."
The Republican would like to see new sidewalks installed in town and wants to continue planting trees, which she sees as an improvement.
An active church member, working for the community and family take up most of her time.
Gale Owens, Libertarian
Gale Owens, 44, seeks a town council seat as a Libertarian.
"I want to be able to help the people in town," Owens said. "The community means a lot to me and I'd like to see our town grow and prosper."
Owens is a member of the Silver Lake Lion's Club, coach for the youth league and past president of the sports organization. He, along with Bob Lichtenwalter, organized the Boys and Girls Club in 1992.
Owens would like to have the fire, emergency medical service and police departments under one roof.
"I'm in favor of the annexation because it will help the town with tax dollars and gas prices," he said. "The town's population is small without including the lake area residents. There are no new housing projects going on."
Owens would like to see more businesses come to town, citing the loss of the hardware and grocery stores recently.
"We need something to serve everyone. It's a hassle driving to Warsaw for everything. Over the years we've lost a lot of businesses."
Owens is a little shocked at the water and sewer bills he is paying as a result of the infrastructure improvement.
"Right now our family (of four) is paying $78 to $80 per month and there is talk about another rate increase. I won't vote for that."
Owens has been an employee of Par-Kan for 22 years.
He was a registered Republican for 20 years and decided to become a Libertarian after talking to members of that party.
"I liked their ideas," Owens said. "I like the idea of national government getting smaller and the local government having more say."
Owens and his wife, Dana, have three children: Jama Brown, 20; Matthew, 18; and Garna Ann, 11.
They were the original owners of Home Town Video in Silver Lake.
Donna McCune, Republican
Brenda Wadkins, Democrat
Neither McCune now Wadkins could be reached for an interview. They are also running for the at-large town council seat.
Teresa Howell, Republican
Teresa Howell, Republican, is running unopposed as Silver Lake town clerk. [[In-content Ad]]