Why do you want to serve on the Warsaw City Council?

Warsaw is a great city where the people are the heartbeat of the community. I want to see us work toward maintaining a city where we enjoy prosperity while maintaining our quality of life.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government should be recognized as being both efficient and effective and is deserving of additional support of city taxpayers?

In my dealings with the various city departments it has been my experience that they all strive to be effective. Increased efficiency in the delivery of services could be accomplished through the utilization of technology and a greater degree of cooperation among the various departments. Generally, I believe the city taxpayers support city government. The burden lies more on government to be supportive and respectful of its citizens.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government has not been either efficient or effective and should be overhauled or eliminated?

Each department provides valuable service to our community. What needs to be overhauled is the level and degree of communication among the different departments. City government should work as a team to provide services in a cost effective and efficient manner.

What goal would you work to accomplish during the first 100 days of you term?

Work towards developing a better level of teamwork and communication between the departments.

Pamela Cartwright (D)

Why do you want to serve on the Warsaw City Council?

I believe I can benefit City Council and Warsaw residents. I bring many years of business experience, a can-do attitude, an entrepreneurial spirit and most of all, personal and professional integrity. I believe in good government, balancing both desires of today and the needs of tomorrow. I welcome growth at the same time that I believe we need to be fiscal watchdogs of the citizens' money.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government should be recognized as being both efficient and effective and is deserving of additional support of city taxpayers?

I believe our city services are among the finest in the state. Our streets are clean and well-tended all year round; our parks are beautiful and draw thousands of visitors; our trash removal is dependable and efficient; our fire and police departments are professional and responsive; our airport continues to expand access to other areas; and our planning and building department is progressive and resourceful.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government has not been either efficient or effective and should be overhauled or eliminated?

I do not believe that our city services and/or departments are either inefficient or ineffective. I do believe that a city council member has the responsibility to listen to department heads and employees, to the taxpayers and to authorities in the respective fields to ensure services remain both effective and efficient. City Council members should routinely compare our services, practices and budget to those of other cities of comparable demographics.

What goal would you work to accomplish during the first 100 days of you term?

I anticipate that I will do a lot of listening - to veteran city council members, to those others who are intimately involved with the council and to those who have elected me. My goal is to help provide creative solutions to those problems that arise during this time, to balance the tried-and-true with fresh ideas and to become a knowledgeable and trustworthy leader of our community.

Ronald Dirck (D)

Why do you want to serve on the Warsaw City Council?

I have been a Warsaw volunteer fireman, a reserve officer of the Kosciusko County Sheriff Department, president of the Kosciusko County Humane Society, appointed to the Sheriff Merit Board, president of Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals, and served on past Mayor Dale Tucker's advisory council. As a taxpayer and CEO of MAVRON, I feel I have the tools to lead Warsaw residents into the year 2000. Making sound judgments for the city, plus being fair and equitable for the taxpayer, is the reason for wanting to serve the people of Warsaw.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government should be recognized as being both efficient and effective and is deserving of additional support of city taxpayers?

The Warsaw Street Department and the Sanitation Department needs additional taxpayer support for higher wages. They are doing an excellent job. As a taxpayer and resident of Warsaw, I am proud of their work and our community shows it. The city must be able to compete with industry to keep people working for them.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government has not been either efficient or effective and should be overhauled or eliminated?

Editor's Note: Dirck did not answer this question.

What goal would you work to accomplish during the first 100 days of you term?

I would like to work on a noise ordinance for motor vehicles and motor bikes. This ordinance should stop loud mufflers, outside boom boxes and straight pipes on bikes just to name a few. The problem of how to pay for a new waste water treatment plant is another goal. My goal is to pay for the new waste treatment plant so it would not cost the present Warsaw taxpayer any fee increase.

Earl Howard (I)

Why do you want to serve on the Warsaw City Council?

I want to give the citizens of Warsaw a choice to elect an independent candidate. Here's a chance to vote for the person, not the party, who will be able to make decisions that will benefit all the people of Warsaw. I would support a new sewage treatment facility so Warsaw again can attract new industry to create a more competitive labor market, where employees can receive higher wages and better benefits, where future employees can again apply for work at these facilities. Instead of using job placement services, where all employees doing the same job can receive the same benefits.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government should be recognized as being both efficient and effective and is deserving of additional support of city taxpayers?

My personal observation in dealing with the Warsaw Street Department, I feel this department does an excellent job. Each time I've had a problem concerning the street department, it's always been met with positive results. I single them out because they are least recognized and hold less appealing positions. These are employees that keep the city moving, and I feel their wages should be compatible with local industry.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government has not been either efficient or effective and should be overhauled or eliminated?

I feel we need all city departments, but I do believe the city's Building and Planning Department's rules and regulations should be reviewed and building permits be based on square footage. I realize certain rules are governed by the state. In summary, while enforcing these ordinances, we need to be more compassionate and more tactful, and use a more common sense approach.

What goal would you work to accomplish during the first 100 days of you term?

If elected, in the first 100 days of my term, I would need to get acquainted with the process. I would ask all department heads for a list of their duties and job descriptions of their employees so I could determine if these employees need or deserve additional support, to try and find out what problems we have and try to come up with some simple solutions.

Daniel Stevens (L)

Why do you want to serve on the Warsaw City Council?

I believe there are many people who want someone with Libertarian principles to represent them in government. Libertarian values are American values. It's America's heritage of liberty, personal responsibility and working to build a future for your family. That being free and independent is a great way to live. That each of us is a unique individual, with great potential. You have a right to decide what's best for you and keep what you earn.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government should be recognized as being both efficient and effective and is deserving of additional support of city taxpayers?

There are many people unnoticed because they are both efficient and effective. I would not want to overlook them by picking one department. "Additional support" sounds like "additional taxes." The Libertarian principle is to always look for ways to reduce government and stop the plundering of our wages. You have three choices: 1. status quo, big government; 2. Make government even larger; 3. the Libertarian option. Get politicians out of your business and personal affairs.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government has not been either efficient or effective and should be overhauled or eliminated?

Libertarians oppose government control of resources through eminent domain, zoning laws, building codes, rent control, regional planning, urban renewal or purchase of development rights with tax money. Such regulations and programs violate property rights, discriminate against minorities, create housing shortages and tend to cause higher rents. Do you want a government that can't build a smooth sidewalk to tell you how to build your house? Eliminate these political hungry departments.

What goal would you work to accomplish during the first 100 days of you term?

My goal the first day, second day, 100 days, is to represent you who voted for me. I will vote on every issue using Libertarian solutions to local and national issues at the LPKC Web site: http://LPKC.8m.com. Is anyone interested in a tax abatement for first time home owners in city limits? My goal is to serve on city council, not to rule.

Joseph Thallemer (R)

Why do you want to serve on the Warsaw City Council?

I want Warsaw to be successful. We have been blessed with a community that offers an excellent quality of life and favorable economic conditions. "Planned growth" will strengthen our community. Complacency will erode what we presently enjoy. We need good leadership and decision makers to serve and guide the city when "growing pains" occur. I have more than experience to offer as a community leader. I have a wonderful family, a growing business and a deep desire to give something back to this wonderful community.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government should be recognized as being both efficient and effective and is deserving of additional support of city taxpayers?

I don't feel that any particular facet of Warsaw city government needs to be singled out above another much less deserving of additional support. Those departments and services that are efficient and effective may not need additional funding and those that are not, may need more funding.

What single service provided by, or single department of, the city government has not been either efficient or effective and should be overhauled or eliminated?

I'm not sure that "developing and maintaining a productive relationship" with the county government is the responsibility of a single department or service provider. It seems to me, however, that the past difficulty with CCAC funding and the current problem with the second sewage treatment facility funding points to a less than productive understanding of what the city of Warsaw and Kosciusko County define as "community." I would like to see our city and county officials develop a vision of "community."

What goal would you work to accomplish during the first 100 days of you term?

I would like to meet with Marsha Eikenberry at the Solid Waste District office and discuss the need for a curbside recycling plan in our community. Costs to implement curbside recycling must be identified and responsibility assumed as the first step for developing a community plan. [[In-content Ad]]