Mayoral candidates discuss vision for Warsaw's future
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - Candidates for mayor of Warsaw, incumbent Ernie Wiggins and Craig Allebach, wee asked to discuss their qualifications and previous experience, about the focus of their administration and plans for finishing the revitalization of downtown Warsaw at Tuesday's Young Republican Candidate Forum in Westminster Hall.
Allebach came to the area as a Grace College student in 1974, served on the Warsaw police force for 20 years, is current Winona Lake town coordinator and is president of the Warsaw School Board.
Wiggins, a 1967 Warsaw High School graduate, was elected to the city council in 1984 and was appointed mayor March 1, 1997. He was elected to the position in 2000.
Allebach said as mayor he would provide leadership, accountability and responsibility, making the mayor's office accessible.
His goals include a friendlier government, job and economic development and finding ways to foster corporate and city partnerships.
To revitalize the downtown, he would talk with Carmen Lock of the Warsaw Community Development Corp., and Teresa Ho, the city's community development coordinator, and meet with business owners.
"A lot can can be learned from walking the streets," he said.
Wiggins said the HyettPalma study was money well spent.
"It is very important the government stays downtown," he said. "That's my decision. Our modest city hall does not reflect Warsaw."
Both men talked about the importance of the orthopedic industry here, saying the economy is diversified enough to weather any financial storm caused at the state level.
Allebach wondered why a foreign-based orthopedic company went to Columbia City instead of coming to Warsaw.
"We need to listen to the Batelle Study and attract supporting industries," he said.
In response to questions about the abandoned Wal-Mart building on Commerce Drive, Allebach said he would sit down with Wal-Mart the day after he was elected.
"I'd talk to business owners out there and see if they were going to stay, be proactive in bringing in new restaurants and find out what other towns are doing when businesses follow Wal-Mart around town."
Wiggins said the Wal-Mart corporation has changed its philosophy about selling old buildings.
"The empty buildings out east are a product of consumers wanting big box stores," Wiggins said. "The city supports Kosciusko Development Inc. and the Chamber of Commerce, which seeks new businesses, so we're not duplicating efforts.
Moderator Gary Gerard sprang a surprise question on candidates, asking how, if cash balances were $0, they would go about cutting $50,000 from the budget.
Allebach said he would call department heads, asking them where cuts could be made collectively.
"I would rely on them, the people in the trenches."
When it came to Wiggins, he said "Craig had the luxury of going first. That's exactly how we make budget cuts every year.
"You have to trust the department heads. We've done exactly that. Specifically, though, I would cut professional services from the council budget first."
Editor's note: Discussion between the Fifth District and at-large candidates will be published tomorrow. [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - Candidates for mayor of Warsaw, incumbent Ernie Wiggins and Craig Allebach, wee asked to discuss their qualifications and previous experience, about the focus of their administration and plans for finishing the revitalization of downtown Warsaw at Tuesday's Young Republican Candidate Forum in Westminster Hall.
Allebach came to the area as a Grace College student in 1974, served on the Warsaw police force for 20 years, is current Winona Lake town coordinator and is president of the Warsaw School Board.
Wiggins, a 1967 Warsaw High School graduate, was elected to the city council in 1984 and was appointed mayor March 1, 1997. He was elected to the position in 2000.
Allebach said as mayor he would provide leadership, accountability and responsibility, making the mayor's office accessible.
His goals include a friendlier government, job and economic development and finding ways to foster corporate and city partnerships.
To revitalize the downtown, he would talk with Carmen Lock of the Warsaw Community Development Corp., and Teresa Ho, the city's community development coordinator, and meet with business owners.
"A lot can can be learned from walking the streets," he said.
Wiggins said the HyettPalma study was money well spent.
"It is very important the government stays downtown," he said. "That's my decision. Our modest city hall does not reflect Warsaw."
Both men talked about the importance of the orthopedic industry here, saying the economy is diversified enough to weather any financial storm caused at the state level.
Allebach wondered why a foreign-based orthopedic company went to Columbia City instead of coming to Warsaw.
"We need to listen to the Batelle Study and attract supporting industries," he said.
In response to questions about the abandoned Wal-Mart building on Commerce Drive, Allebach said he would sit down with Wal-Mart the day after he was elected.
"I'd talk to business owners out there and see if they were going to stay, be proactive in bringing in new restaurants and find out what other towns are doing when businesses follow Wal-Mart around town."
Wiggins said the Wal-Mart corporation has changed its philosophy about selling old buildings.
"The empty buildings out east are a product of consumers wanting big box stores," Wiggins said. "The city supports Kosciusko Development Inc. and the Chamber of Commerce, which seeks new businesses, so we're not duplicating efforts.
Moderator Gary Gerard sprang a surprise question on candidates, asking how, if cash balances were $0, they would go about cutting $50,000 from the budget.
Allebach said he would call department heads, asking them where cuts could be made collectively.
"I would rely on them, the people in the trenches."
When it came to Wiggins, he said "Craig had the luxury of going first. That's exactly how we make budget cuts every year.
"You have to trust the department heads. We've done exactly that. Specifically, though, I would cut professional services from the council budget first."
Editor's note: Discussion between the Fifth District and at-large candidates will be published tomorrow. [[In-content Ad]]