Republicans and Democrats in Warsaw and Winona Lake are now set to decide May 4 who will be their standard-bearers for the general municipal election in November.

Joining the previously announced candidates in Warsaw is Jeff Grose, Republican candidate for the District 1 city council seat against Bruce Woodward. Albert Smith will be unopposed in seeking the Democratic nomination for the District 5 seat.

Grose, a current member of the Warsaw Plan Commission, said he wants to put the experience he's gained through serving on the Warsaw Plan Commission and through teaching government at Warsaw Community High School into practice on the city council.

"In my lifetime, Warsaw has experienced a tremendous amount of growth and that trend will continue in the future," he said. "When you look at all the things that are happening and what they will cost, the city is going to have to find the fairest way to pay for those. I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Smith, a retired teacher, said the issue on the top of his priority list is seeing that the Economic Development Income Tax is never implemented in Kosciusko County.

"I want to eliminate EDIT. It is an unneeded tax. We have the money in the bank right now for the sewers and the jail," he said. "I want us to have a better accounting of the income and the outgo, in terms of taxes."

Smith added he's running also because he wants more bipartisan influence on the city council.

"I'd like to make some changes where both parties have an equal say in the outcome for the city," he said. "We need people on the council who are honest and are for the people. Anything that a majority of the people want me to do, that's what I'm going to do."

The other Warsaw candidates include Mayor Ernest Wiggins and Clerk-Treasurer Elaine Call, who are both unopposed. The Democratic candidates include Pam Cartwright and Ronald Dirck for the at-large seats and Joel Curry for the District 1 seat.

Trish Brown, Rick Helton and Joe Thallemer are challenging incumbents Dewey Lawshe and Tammy Rockey for the Republicans.

In Winona Lake, incumbent Harold Dunn and challenger Jerry Clevenger in the 2nd Ward and incumbent Edna Gamble in the 5th Ward had all filed their candidacies earlier in February.

A flurry of Winona Lake candidates filed just under the Feb. 19 deadline. They include Winona Lake Republicans J.T. (Tom) Easter and Craig Snow for the 1st Ward; Eugene Seiman and Roland Ortega for the 3rd Ward; and Lamar Bryan and David Delp for the 4th Ward. Democrat Philip White filed for the 5th Ward.

Among the new candidates, redevelopment and sanitary sewers are the most prominent issues.

Easter said his main goal is to contribute back to the community - primarily in helping guide it through the changes that lay ahead.

" I'm running because I just thought it was time for me to take an interest in the affairs of the town and do what's in its best interest," he said. "Redevelopment and sewers are the prime issues of concern for me."

Easter's challenger, Craig Snow, said despite being a novice in politics, he believes he will bring an enthusiasm to the job that will help the town.

"I think Winona Lake is in a really exciting time right now and I want to be a part of the decision-making that is going to take place," he said. "The main issue for me is the historical restoration that's currently going on and the value it will bring to the town."

In the 4th Ward, both Delp and Bryan agree the sanitary sewer system is the most pressing problem that will need to be addressed.

"I'm running because I've lived in Winona Lake since I was 6 years old and I just want to return something to the town," Bryan said. "I've seen a lot of changes over the years, and looking back, I can't remember many town council members who were born and raised here," he said. "Some very positive things have occurred over the last several years and I think those things need to be built upon.

"I'd like to see some direction in what we're going to do about our sewer system," he added. "I don't know if we need to build or not build a sewer facility, but it needs to be investigated."

Delp concurred and said he will bring his strong business background to that investigation.

"I've been in the business arena all my working career and I feel my business background will be of great benefit to the town council," he said. "Redevelopment and sewers are the two key issues. Redevelopment has brought about many changes to Winona Lake and will continue to if managed the right way."

Seiman, Ortega and White were unavailable for comment by press time. [[In-content Ad]]