Wiggins Wins Primary - Voters put incumbent mayor on November ballot
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Ernie Wiggins received 1,111 votes, securing the Warsaw mayor's place on the fall general election ballot over challenger Craig Allebach, who received 756 votes in the 2003 primary election Tuesday.
"I am very pleased with the outcome," Wiggins said of his 355-vote victory. "I appreciate the confidence shared by the people today.
"It's good to have two good candidates. It shows people are willing to serve and go through this process," he said referring to the contest posed by the former Warsaw police chief.
"I feel very blessed to be elected another term, to see the completion of our goals and the completion of the second wastewater treatment plant.
"But this is only the primary, you know."
All the municipal ballot candidates ran on the Republican ticket in Warsaw, Winona Lake and Syracuse. The Democrats have until noon June 30 to fill vacancies on the municipal ballot, which would force a general election in Syracuse, Warsaw and Winona Lake in November.
Of the 14,718 registered voters eligible to cast ballots Tuesday, 2,580 people, or 17.53 percent, exercised the right.
Warsaw Voters selected two at-large representatives with incumbent Joe Thallemer receiving the most votes, 1,098, followed by Bob Morrison with 800. Letrecia Brown had 676 votes and Dewey Lawshe, 637.
"We've had a good four years as freshmen," Joe Thallemer said of his first term on the council and fellow members. "Now we'll step it up a notch as far as leadership. It's a very dynamic council. Many of us were new to the council the last time, now we have an opportunity to really hit the ground running."
Bob Morrison, who received 800 votes in the at-large race, said prior to the election his council stipend ($4,500 per year) would be given to a Warsaw-based charity. He reaffirmed that campaign promise today.
"I knocked on every door in Warsaw," Morrison said of his campaign. "And if they weren't home I left a brochure ... unless they had a big dog there, I usually avoided that.
"Anyone who wants to go out, work hard and focus can do it."
He thanked the voters, supporters from churches, friends and especially his wife for all their help.
"I want people to get where they come down and listen to city council. It is important. We need to have more people involved. If they believe decisions are made over the phone and flown through, they won't be involved.
"Everything that's discussed should be discussed in the open.
"Everything that's brought up should be in public," he said.
"Everybody told me I wouldn't have a chance, it's a 'good old boy system,' and all these negative things. I never saw one part of that. Everyone was supportive, fair and impartial," the new at-large city councilman said.
Incumbent Bill Rhoades won the District 5 council seat, leading a pack of five candidates with 117 votes, or 28 percent. Alan Clingan was the closest second with 89 votes (21 percent); followed by Carl Sowers, 72 votes (17 percent); Bruce Woodward, 71 votes (17 percent); and Steve Brown, 66 votes (16 percent).
Thanking the people who voted for him, Rhoades also congratulated the new member of the council, Bob Morrison, this morning.
The victory, Rhoades said, "made me think, we had the same number of people vote as the last time. When you're a vet, it makes you think. Voting is one of the freedoms the veterans fought for; more people should get out and vote.
"I had a few people complain about what this council has done. I personally feel there's a lot of things to be done in this city and I still want to be one of them to help the city out."
Three-term incumbent Jerry Patterson, of Warsaw's District 4, received 173 votes, 72 more than challenger and former council member Tammy Rockey, who received 101.
"I want to thank everyone that voted for me and let me put in a sign," Patterson said from his home this morning. He spent the better part of the morning removing political signs.
"I'll continue to do the best job I can do," the council president said. "I want to continue to keep taxes as low as possible and attract industry to the community. In my neighborhood, work needs to be done on the sidewalks and curbs.
"If anyone has any concerns or problems, they should feel free to give me a call. I'll do what I can to help them."
Unchallenged incumbents Jeff Grose received 415 votes in District 1, Charlie Smith received 214 votes in District 2 and George Clemens received 372 votes in District 3.
Madeline "Elaine" Call ran unchallenged for the clerk-treasurer's office, receiving 1,568 votes.
Winona Lake
"I want to thank all those who took time to go and vote," said Rolly Ortega Tuesday night. The District 3 incumbent received 19 more votes than Jim LeMasters in the close Winona Lake town council race. "Every vote counts.
"I'm excited about being able to pursue things as a part of a team. We've built a foundation over the last three years and I look forward to continuing with the same people.
"When we became council members three years ago, everything was very new to us. Taking on projects midstream was difficult," Ortega said. "Now, 3-1/2 years have gone by and we're involved in the day-to-day activities."
Ortega received 207 votes, while LeMasters received 188.
Town council incumbents were unchallenged in the other Winona Lake districts. Craig Snow received 372 votes in District 1; Jerry Clevenger received 370 votes in District 2, David Delp received 363 votes in District 4 and Jeff Carroll received 358 votes in District 5.
Unchallenged incumbent Retha Hicks received 378 votes to continue as clerk-treasurer.
Syracuse
In Syracuse two incumbents, long-time council member Barbara Carwile and two-term councilman William Hane, were defeated by challengers Brian Woody and Brian Antonides.
In District 4, Woody received 205 votes (71 percent) compared to Carwile's 82 votes (29 percent). Carwile was first elected to the town council in 1988.
Antonides received 167 votes (60 percent), while Hane, the District 5 incumbent received 110 (40 percent). Hane was first elected to the town council in 1997.
Carol Koble ran unchallenged in Syracuse's District 3, receiving 231 votes.
Unchallenged candidate for clerk-treasurer, Julie Kline, received 253 votes. [[In-content Ad]]
Ernie Wiggins received 1,111 votes, securing the Warsaw mayor's place on the fall general election ballot over challenger Craig Allebach, who received 756 votes in the 2003 primary election Tuesday.
"I am very pleased with the outcome," Wiggins said of his 355-vote victory. "I appreciate the confidence shared by the people today.
"It's good to have two good candidates. It shows people are willing to serve and go through this process," he said referring to the contest posed by the former Warsaw police chief.
"I feel very blessed to be elected another term, to see the completion of our goals and the completion of the second wastewater treatment plant.
"But this is only the primary, you know."
All the municipal ballot candidates ran on the Republican ticket in Warsaw, Winona Lake and Syracuse. The Democrats have until noon June 30 to fill vacancies on the municipal ballot, which would force a general election in Syracuse, Warsaw and Winona Lake in November.
Of the 14,718 registered voters eligible to cast ballots Tuesday, 2,580 people, or 17.53 percent, exercised the right.
Warsaw Voters selected two at-large representatives with incumbent Joe Thallemer receiving the most votes, 1,098, followed by Bob Morrison with 800. Letrecia Brown had 676 votes and Dewey Lawshe, 637.
"We've had a good four years as freshmen," Joe Thallemer said of his first term on the council and fellow members. "Now we'll step it up a notch as far as leadership. It's a very dynamic council. Many of us were new to the council the last time, now we have an opportunity to really hit the ground running."
Bob Morrison, who received 800 votes in the at-large race, said prior to the election his council stipend ($4,500 per year) would be given to a Warsaw-based charity. He reaffirmed that campaign promise today.
"I knocked on every door in Warsaw," Morrison said of his campaign. "And if they weren't home I left a brochure ... unless they had a big dog there, I usually avoided that.
"Anyone who wants to go out, work hard and focus can do it."
He thanked the voters, supporters from churches, friends and especially his wife for all their help.
"I want people to get where they come down and listen to city council. It is important. We need to have more people involved. If they believe decisions are made over the phone and flown through, they won't be involved.
"Everything that's discussed should be discussed in the open.
"Everything that's brought up should be in public," he said.
"Everybody told me I wouldn't have a chance, it's a 'good old boy system,' and all these negative things. I never saw one part of that. Everyone was supportive, fair and impartial," the new at-large city councilman said.
Incumbent Bill Rhoades won the District 5 council seat, leading a pack of five candidates with 117 votes, or 28 percent. Alan Clingan was the closest second with 89 votes (21 percent); followed by Carl Sowers, 72 votes (17 percent); Bruce Woodward, 71 votes (17 percent); and Steve Brown, 66 votes (16 percent).
Thanking the people who voted for him, Rhoades also congratulated the new member of the council, Bob Morrison, this morning.
The victory, Rhoades said, "made me think, we had the same number of people vote as the last time. When you're a vet, it makes you think. Voting is one of the freedoms the veterans fought for; more people should get out and vote.
"I had a few people complain about what this council has done. I personally feel there's a lot of things to be done in this city and I still want to be one of them to help the city out."
Three-term incumbent Jerry Patterson, of Warsaw's District 4, received 173 votes, 72 more than challenger and former council member Tammy Rockey, who received 101.
"I want to thank everyone that voted for me and let me put in a sign," Patterson said from his home this morning. He spent the better part of the morning removing political signs.
"I'll continue to do the best job I can do," the council president said. "I want to continue to keep taxes as low as possible and attract industry to the community. In my neighborhood, work needs to be done on the sidewalks and curbs.
"If anyone has any concerns or problems, they should feel free to give me a call. I'll do what I can to help them."
Unchallenged incumbents Jeff Grose received 415 votes in District 1, Charlie Smith received 214 votes in District 2 and George Clemens received 372 votes in District 3.
Madeline "Elaine" Call ran unchallenged for the clerk-treasurer's office, receiving 1,568 votes.
Winona Lake
"I want to thank all those who took time to go and vote," said Rolly Ortega Tuesday night. The District 3 incumbent received 19 more votes than Jim LeMasters in the close Winona Lake town council race. "Every vote counts.
"I'm excited about being able to pursue things as a part of a team. We've built a foundation over the last three years and I look forward to continuing with the same people.
"When we became council members three years ago, everything was very new to us. Taking on projects midstream was difficult," Ortega said. "Now, 3-1/2 years have gone by and we're involved in the day-to-day activities."
Ortega received 207 votes, while LeMasters received 188.
Town council incumbents were unchallenged in the other Winona Lake districts. Craig Snow received 372 votes in District 1; Jerry Clevenger received 370 votes in District 2, David Delp received 363 votes in District 4 and Jeff Carroll received 358 votes in District 5.
Unchallenged incumbent Retha Hicks received 378 votes to continue as clerk-treasurer.
Syracuse
In Syracuse two incumbents, long-time council member Barbara Carwile and two-term councilman William Hane, were defeated by challengers Brian Woody and Brian Antonides.
In District 4, Woody received 205 votes (71 percent) compared to Carwile's 82 votes (29 percent). Carwile was first elected to the town council in 1988.
Antonides received 167 votes (60 percent), while Hane, the District 5 incumbent received 110 (40 percent). Hane was first elected to the town council in 1997.
Carol Koble ran unchallenged in Syracuse's District 3, receiving 231 votes.
Unchallenged candidate for clerk-treasurer, Julie Kline, received 253 votes. [[In-content Ad]]