Fussle Enters Commissioners Race
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
When asked why he wanted to run for County Commissioner, Fussle said, "The future of this county is at stake. We are facing challenges that require a lot of planning, foresight, and vision. I feel that Kosciusko County has suffered from a lack of those attributes over the past few years, and what we need is leadership, not status-quo.
"I have no illusions that those who are in leadership positions have worked hard and done the best they can, but I feel I have a lot to bring to the table, and I don't plan on keeping the seat warm once I'm elected. This community has been so blessed, and it would be a shame to lose the competitive edge we've got because things here are good enough.
"I want to focus on three main issues during my term as County Commissioner; jobs, recreation, and planning.
"The orthopedic industry in Kosciusko County has dodged two bullets since 2005, and I don't imagine the shooting is over. Orthopedics directly employ 6,000 people, and who knows how many more indirectly. If we were to suffer a severe blow like we would have with the FDA investigation or a bad health care bill, our already staggering unemployment rate would skyrocket. We need to diversify the job market by pursuing relationships in the information technology, pharmaceutical, educational, and green industries. The long term sustainability, growth, and income potential of these industries would augment the orthopedic industry well.
"In order to retain jobs created in the orthopedic industry and attract jobs from other industries, we must stop the brain-drain from which we suffer in this community. It is all too rare of an occasion that a high school graduate in Kosciusko County returns after college due to the quality of life for a young professional. Everyone who lives here knows how wonderful of a place this is to raise a child, but for the 20-35 year olds, this can be a tough place to live. We have to attract that demographic to Kosciusko County through entertainment, recreational, and social opportunities. The concerts in the park, Warsaw's greenway, and the lakes are all fantastic attractions for every single resident, but we need to do more. I'd like to see the greenway go county-wide, more of an after-hours scene, and a County Park. Kosciusko County is the 3rd largest county in the state, yet we have no County park. That has to change. We want this to be the best place in Indiana to live, work, and play.
"Planning, or the lack thereof, is the proverbial fly-in-the-ointment for Kosciusko County. There is not one dimension of government that is not affected by this, either. The most obvious is in zoning and roadways. If you were to look at a map of the county, rather than seeing a smooth transition from one zone to the next in neat, well-planned transitions, you'd see it littered with ill-conceived variations and bad ideas. You have a five-acre plot of industrial etched out of a residential plot, a tiny commercial lot in agricultural plots, and all kinds of other exceptions. If I purchase a house in a residential area, I deserve to feel comfortable that a factory isn't going to go in the vacant lot next door.
"When we do decide to develop a plot of land, there needs to be a greater picture in mind. All too often, a developer is given a green light to develop property without strict instructions and guidelines from our local government on how to develop it," said Fussle.
Fussle is a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, a former airline captain, and a current businessman in Warsaw. He owns and operates the Warsaw Flying Club and Executive Aircraft Management at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.
Fussle was a co-founder of the Kosciusko County Tea Party, which was established to push back against the runaway spending and unprecedented tax-policy in Washington, D.C.
More information about Jon Fussle can be found at his campaign Web site www.JonFussle.com
[[In-content Ad]]
When asked why he wanted to run for County Commissioner, Fussle said, "The future of this county is at stake. We are facing challenges that require a lot of planning, foresight, and vision. I feel that Kosciusko County has suffered from a lack of those attributes over the past few years, and what we need is leadership, not status-quo.
"I have no illusions that those who are in leadership positions have worked hard and done the best they can, but I feel I have a lot to bring to the table, and I don't plan on keeping the seat warm once I'm elected. This community has been so blessed, and it would be a shame to lose the competitive edge we've got because things here are good enough.
"I want to focus on three main issues during my term as County Commissioner; jobs, recreation, and planning.
"The orthopedic industry in Kosciusko County has dodged two bullets since 2005, and I don't imagine the shooting is over. Orthopedics directly employ 6,000 people, and who knows how many more indirectly. If we were to suffer a severe blow like we would have with the FDA investigation or a bad health care bill, our already staggering unemployment rate would skyrocket. We need to diversify the job market by pursuing relationships in the information technology, pharmaceutical, educational, and green industries. The long term sustainability, growth, and income potential of these industries would augment the orthopedic industry well.
"In order to retain jobs created in the orthopedic industry and attract jobs from other industries, we must stop the brain-drain from which we suffer in this community. It is all too rare of an occasion that a high school graduate in Kosciusko County returns after college due to the quality of life for a young professional. Everyone who lives here knows how wonderful of a place this is to raise a child, but for the 20-35 year olds, this can be a tough place to live. We have to attract that demographic to Kosciusko County through entertainment, recreational, and social opportunities. The concerts in the park, Warsaw's greenway, and the lakes are all fantastic attractions for every single resident, but we need to do more. I'd like to see the greenway go county-wide, more of an after-hours scene, and a County Park. Kosciusko County is the 3rd largest county in the state, yet we have no County park. That has to change. We want this to be the best place in Indiana to live, work, and play.
"Planning, or the lack thereof, is the proverbial fly-in-the-ointment for Kosciusko County. There is not one dimension of government that is not affected by this, either. The most obvious is in zoning and roadways. If you were to look at a map of the county, rather than seeing a smooth transition from one zone to the next in neat, well-planned transitions, you'd see it littered with ill-conceived variations and bad ideas. You have a five-acre plot of industrial etched out of a residential plot, a tiny commercial lot in agricultural plots, and all kinds of other exceptions. If I purchase a house in a residential area, I deserve to feel comfortable that a factory isn't going to go in the vacant lot next door.
"When we do decide to develop a plot of land, there needs to be a greater picture in mind. All too often, a developer is given a green light to develop property without strict instructions and guidelines from our local government on how to develop it," said Fussle.
Fussle is a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, a former airline captain, and a current businessman in Warsaw. He owns and operates the Warsaw Flying Club and Executive Aircraft Management at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.
Fussle was a co-founder of the Kosciusko County Tea Party, which was established to push back against the runaway spending and unprecedented tax-policy in Washington, D.C.
More information about Jon Fussle can be found at his campaign Web site www.JonFussle.com
[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092