Opperud Makes Run For Warsaw Mayor
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Opperud, 67, of 116 S. Buffalo St., filed for the position July 2. He has been a Warsaw resident since 1955.
Opperud previously ran for mayor against current Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins in 2003.
Wiggins, Republican, has served as mayor since 1997 and was unopposed in the May 8 primary.
Opperud said he is running again for mayor to foster the city's progress and future.
"The future course of this city has to be moved by more people voting independent of party control," Opperud said. "It begins with local people voting on the merits of need, not name recognition, not party affiliations."
Opperud said Warsaw is in a transition period he would like to be a part of leading.
"The city is in transition because of changing demographics within neighborhoods, the uncertainty of jobs in a global market and the changing habits brought in by big box stores seeking to be all things for all people," Opperud said.
He said to confront these challenges, the city needs a comprehensive plan for progress. He said the plan needs to be reinforced with the energy of independent thinking.
Opperud is an employee of Makit, founded in 1974. The business is a design development company founded in the composite industry that develops products for RVs, boats and industrial equipment.
"I think I have always been recognizable and approachable and that is what brings government to the people," Opperud said.
He said living in downtown Warsaw has been an advantage by allowing him to walk the streets and know issues important to Warsaw residents.
Opperud said he feels his duties as mayor are to provide vision and leadership.
He said he will bring knowledge and understanding of the city to the position as mayor if he is elected.
He served in the original industrial division of the Chamber of Commerce.
He is a 1958 Warsaw Community High School graduate, and attended DePauw University.
Opperud has two daughters, two grandsons and has had a family companionship with Cindy Dobbins for more than 30 years. Dobbins is running as an independent candidate for District 4 on the city council.
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Opperud, 67, of 116 S. Buffalo St., filed for the position July 2. He has been a Warsaw resident since 1955.
Opperud previously ran for mayor against current Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins in 2003.
Wiggins, Republican, has served as mayor since 1997 and was unopposed in the May 8 primary.
Opperud said he is running again for mayor to foster the city's progress and future.
"The future course of this city has to be moved by more people voting independent of party control," Opperud said. "It begins with local people voting on the merits of need, not name recognition, not party affiliations."
Opperud said Warsaw is in a transition period he would like to be a part of leading.
"The city is in transition because of changing demographics within neighborhoods, the uncertainty of jobs in a global market and the changing habits brought in by big box stores seeking to be all things for all people," Opperud said.
He said to confront these challenges, the city needs a comprehensive plan for progress. He said the plan needs to be reinforced with the energy of independent thinking.
Opperud is an employee of Makit, founded in 1974. The business is a design development company founded in the composite industry that develops products for RVs, boats and industrial equipment.
"I think I have always been recognizable and approachable and that is what brings government to the people," Opperud said.
He said living in downtown Warsaw has been an advantage by allowing him to walk the streets and know issues important to Warsaw residents.
Opperud said he feels his duties as mayor are to provide vision and leadership.
He said he will bring knowledge and understanding of the city to the position as mayor if he is elected.
He served in the original industrial division of the Chamber of Commerce.
He is a 1958 Warsaw Community High School graduate, and attended DePauw University.
Opperud has two daughters, two grandsons and has had a family companionship with Cindy Dobbins for more than 30 years. Dobbins is running as an independent candidate for District 4 on the city council.
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