Three Races In County Government Seats
November 3, 2018 at 3:46 a.m.
Three Races In County Government Seats
By Dan [email protected]
Of the four county council seats up for election, two are contested: Republican incumbent Ernie Wiggins of Warsaw will face off against Democrat Gary Schue, also of Warsaw, in District 3. Democrat David Morgan of Claypool will try to unseat the GOP’s Jon Garber of Beaver Dam Lake.
Republicans Doug Heinisch and Michael Long are running uncontested on the ballot in Districts 1 and 2, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Board of County Commissioners has only one of its three positions up for grabs. Incumbent Republican Robert “Bob” Conley, the commission president who lives south of Warsaw, faces a challenge from Democrat J. Todd Weingart, who lives on Warsaw’s south side.
The Times-Union asked each of the candidates the same questions:
1. Why did they choose to get involved in county government and what has been your experience with it?
2. What’s the one issue the county handles well, and what one issue needs improvement?
3. Professionally speaking, what do voters need to know about you that may not be common knowledge?
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County Council - District 3
Wiggins: “When Brad Tandy, then the county councilman, moved out of the district I was encouraged by the council president, Robert Sanders, to seek the vacated seat on the council. I was appointed by the caucus of Republican precinct committemen on Aug. 31, 2016, to fill the vacated position.
“Having previously served as mayor for the city of Warsaw, I had worked with the county officials on issues common to our constituents. I have experience in the budgeting process and financing of which the county council has as its primary responsibility. I feel that the members of the county council work well together and I have enjoyed working with them to serve our community.
“I think that the county is fiscally responsible with the taxpayers dollars while still providing the essential services such as public safety and road maintenance. On these issues I feel the county has done an exceptional job.
“The issues of drug use and the jail overcrowding in not only our county but all of the other Indiana counties as well will require working to develop programs to educate to address these problems.
“I have enjoyed my time serving in both city and county government and appreciate the trust the public has given me the opportunity to represent them. As a certified public accountant doing tax work for individual and business clients I appreciate how important it is to maintain an environment for everyone to prosper and be proud to call our county home.”
Schue: “I chose to get in to county government after I went to my county council representative, Mr. Wiggins, with a handful of questions, hoping to get some answers. He took my information and told me he’d get back to me with my answers, and he never did so.
“So that told me all I needed to know about who he’s supposed to be representing. I look to correct that issue, and that’s where my experience comes in. I’ve worked with county highway and the sherriff’s department, and both of those positions gave me tremendous insight on how county government is supposed to work.
“From a layman’s position, all the offices are pleasant to work with, and they seem to all work well together; they seem to communicate well with each other. As far as areas of improvement, I don’t think there’s enough being done to save taxpayer dollars. A good example would be I don’t think enough was done to rectify charges put on the citizens of the county to have to pay a bill. For instance, the county charges you to pay taxes with a credit card. I think something could be done with that, and I don’t think that’s right. As citizens in this county, I don’t think that’s something we should have to pay. I’d like to look into that and take care of that issue.
“What I bring with me is my critical thinking that I acquired as a law enforcement officer in dealing with situations that even included life and death; bringing that knowledge and ability with me to the county council to use to make things better and putting (those attributes) to work to get those answers. I’m sure most of the people I’d represent want those answers, too.
“I’d have the understanding as a county council member to ensure taxpayers get the best deal and best value for their dollars. I want to make sure each tax dollar goes as far as it possibly can.”
County Council - District 4
Garber: “When I retired from the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department in December of 2011, with over 37 years of employment (27 years as superintendent), an opportunity to get back into public service opened up four months later.
“In May of 2012 a caucus of Republican precinct committee members was held to fill the vacated 4th District council seat that came open upon the death of councilman John Kinsey.
“After much thought and encouragement from friends and fellow Republican leaders, I decided to enter my name into consideration for that seat. I was honored to be elected by those present at that caucus.
“My experience as county councilman has been very enlightening and enjoyable. Prior to joining the council, my interaction with elected official decision makers of a fiscal body (Warsaw City Council) was always on “the other side” of the table as an appointed department head.
“Now sitting on the opposite side of the table as an elected official, I now have to look at the total picture and make decisions that are best for all the citizens of Kosciusko County. Still, having served as a department head, I feel that this has been very beneficial in understanding their needs when they come before the council with their requests.
“The issue that I believe the county council handles well is trying to meet the needs of our citizens, while being fiscally frugal with their money. Personally, I have considered myself to be fiscally conservative yet progressive in thought. I have asked department heads to put ?needs’ over ?wants.’
“It is with pride that Kosciusko County is recognized as having the second lowest county general fund tax rate in the state of Indiana.
“One issue that the council needs improvement is, as one of my fellow councilmen often states, staying in our own lane. Each commissioner and council member has specific responsibilities. There for a while, and still periodically, some of our council members would over step their responsibilities and try to get involved in others’ business. I must say, however, this issue has been much better recently. I believe a lot of this is a result of the enhanced transparency between the council and the commissioners.
“I’d like people to know how dedicated I am to my job as a councilman. Since becoming a councilman through our last meeting on Oct. 11, there have been 97 council meetings of which only four have I missed (one due to medical reasons and three for scheduled vacations). This is approximately a 96 percent attendance rate, which I am proud of.
“Additionally, I attend numerous meetings of boards and commissions that I have been appointed to as county council representative. I also try to stay updated with the ever-changing rules and regulations pertaining to county councils, by attending state-called meetings of county council members, and state and regional meetings of the Indiana Association of Counties.”
Morgan: “I had so many people say they were ‘tired of the same old politics.’ With that said, though, I am not the type of person to talk someone else down to better myself. Today needs to be about people, not politics. I listen to people.
“Kosciusko County does many things well. But our election board is amazing. The bipartisan effort to ensure the safety and legitimacy of our elections in the county should be an example for other communities to follow.”
“I absolutely love people. I may not agree with everyone all the time, but I enjoy the discussions we have. My goal is to bring people and purpose to government by removing the politics.”
County Commission-Southern District
Conley: “I had an unpleasant experience with local government at one point years ago and my response was to get involved and try to make a positive difference by joining the sheriff’s reserve force, then running for county commissioner.
“As county commissioners we listen well, so many times in the last 12 years people have come to me with questions or concerns. Right then if I don't have an answer I will call someone who does or I will seek out the answer and contact the person with an answer.
“How we handle criminal offenders with the opioid and other drug problems and the crime associated with it we are incarcerating so many people, we have a work release program that is burdened, our jail is at or over capacity, we have halfway house (community corrections), there is supervised and unsupervised probation, there is drug court, and all are at or near a breaking point. There is an answer out there; we need to work diligently with our school-age children to let them see what the consequences of bad behavior does to them and their families and, ultimately, our community.
“I know and profess where my strength comes from. My greatest task in life is to see that my wife and children and now our five grandchildren know Jesus as their personal Savior. If I gain the world and don't have eternal salvation I have not prospered. May God give me strength to continue my fiduciary responsibility as county commissioner. With the help of the voters of Kosciusko County I will do my best to represent the citizens well. You can count on it.”
Weingart: “I chose to run for county commissioner because I felt it was important to give people a choice. For too long, we have had one group of people from one party running everything and no one was listening to the needs or how the residents of the county felt. I really want to be a fresh voice with a fresh perspective on how things are done in Kosciusko County.
“I think the hard-working people of the roads department do an outstanding job of keeping our roads clear of ice and snow in the winter. This can be an overwhelming task sometimes, but they really work hard to keep Kosciusko moving.
“One of the most important issues that needs improvement is transparency and listening to the concerns of Kosciusko County residents. The current commissioners are not open to new ideas and seem to have their own agenda. They take little interest in how people feel or in the needs of their constituency. One county official, when told that the wheel tax was unfairly distributed and would hurt, was overheard to say that he didn’t care. There is a lack of empathy and planning for the future to move Kosciusko forward.
“I am a successful businessman that started with nothing and worked hard to become one. In 1980, I was a runner, basically a messenger boy, on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Constantly, moving forward and learning, I became a broker, bought my own seat and then began to trade for myself. By 2006, I built a brokerage business that eventually employed 53 people, with a revenue stream of $15 million, until I sold it in 2012.
“I worked hard to make myself and my business a success. I want to do the same for Kosciusko County.”
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Of the four county council seats up for election, two are contested: Republican incumbent Ernie Wiggins of Warsaw will face off against Democrat Gary Schue, also of Warsaw, in District 3. Democrat David Morgan of Claypool will try to unseat the GOP’s Jon Garber of Beaver Dam Lake.
Republicans Doug Heinisch and Michael Long are running uncontested on the ballot in Districts 1 and 2, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Board of County Commissioners has only one of its three positions up for grabs. Incumbent Republican Robert “Bob” Conley, the commission president who lives south of Warsaw, faces a challenge from Democrat J. Todd Weingart, who lives on Warsaw’s south side.
The Times-Union asked each of the candidates the same questions:
1. Why did they choose to get involved in county government and what has been your experience with it?
2. What’s the one issue the county handles well, and what one issue needs improvement?
3. Professionally speaking, what do voters need to know about you that may not be common knowledge?
[[In-content Ad]]
County Council - District 3
Wiggins: “When Brad Tandy, then the county councilman, moved out of the district I was encouraged by the council president, Robert Sanders, to seek the vacated seat on the council. I was appointed by the caucus of Republican precinct committemen on Aug. 31, 2016, to fill the vacated position.
“Having previously served as mayor for the city of Warsaw, I had worked with the county officials on issues common to our constituents. I have experience in the budgeting process and financing of which the county council has as its primary responsibility. I feel that the members of the county council work well together and I have enjoyed working with them to serve our community.
“I think that the county is fiscally responsible with the taxpayers dollars while still providing the essential services such as public safety and road maintenance. On these issues I feel the county has done an exceptional job.
“The issues of drug use and the jail overcrowding in not only our county but all of the other Indiana counties as well will require working to develop programs to educate to address these problems.
“I have enjoyed my time serving in both city and county government and appreciate the trust the public has given me the opportunity to represent them. As a certified public accountant doing tax work for individual and business clients I appreciate how important it is to maintain an environment for everyone to prosper and be proud to call our county home.”
Schue: “I chose to get in to county government after I went to my county council representative, Mr. Wiggins, with a handful of questions, hoping to get some answers. He took my information and told me he’d get back to me with my answers, and he never did so.
“So that told me all I needed to know about who he’s supposed to be representing. I look to correct that issue, and that’s where my experience comes in. I’ve worked with county highway and the sherriff’s department, and both of those positions gave me tremendous insight on how county government is supposed to work.
“From a layman’s position, all the offices are pleasant to work with, and they seem to all work well together; they seem to communicate well with each other. As far as areas of improvement, I don’t think there’s enough being done to save taxpayer dollars. A good example would be I don’t think enough was done to rectify charges put on the citizens of the county to have to pay a bill. For instance, the county charges you to pay taxes with a credit card. I think something could be done with that, and I don’t think that’s right. As citizens in this county, I don’t think that’s something we should have to pay. I’d like to look into that and take care of that issue.
“What I bring with me is my critical thinking that I acquired as a law enforcement officer in dealing with situations that even included life and death; bringing that knowledge and ability with me to the county council to use to make things better and putting (those attributes) to work to get those answers. I’m sure most of the people I’d represent want those answers, too.
“I’d have the understanding as a county council member to ensure taxpayers get the best deal and best value for their dollars. I want to make sure each tax dollar goes as far as it possibly can.”
County Council - District 4
Garber: “When I retired from the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department in December of 2011, with over 37 years of employment (27 years as superintendent), an opportunity to get back into public service opened up four months later.
“In May of 2012 a caucus of Republican precinct committee members was held to fill the vacated 4th District council seat that came open upon the death of councilman John Kinsey.
“After much thought and encouragement from friends and fellow Republican leaders, I decided to enter my name into consideration for that seat. I was honored to be elected by those present at that caucus.
“My experience as county councilman has been very enlightening and enjoyable. Prior to joining the council, my interaction with elected official decision makers of a fiscal body (Warsaw City Council) was always on “the other side” of the table as an appointed department head.
“Now sitting on the opposite side of the table as an elected official, I now have to look at the total picture and make decisions that are best for all the citizens of Kosciusko County. Still, having served as a department head, I feel that this has been very beneficial in understanding their needs when they come before the council with their requests.
“The issue that I believe the county council handles well is trying to meet the needs of our citizens, while being fiscally frugal with their money. Personally, I have considered myself to be fiscally conservative yet progressive in thought. I have asked department heads to put ?needs’ over ?wants.’
“It is with pride that Kosciusko County is recognized as having the second lowest county general fund tax rate in the state of Indiana.
“One issue that the council needs improvement is, as one of my fellow councilmen often states, staying in our own lane. Each commissioner and council member has specific responsibilities. There for a while, and still periodically, some of our council members would over step their responsibilities and try to get involved in others’ business. I must say, however, this issue has been much better recently. I believe a lot of this is a result of the enhanced transparency between the council and the commissioners.
“I’d like people to know how dedicated I am to my job as a councilman. Since becoming a councilman through our last meeting on Oct. 11, there have been 97 council meetings of which only four have I missed (one due to medical reasons and three for scheduled vacations). This is approximately a 96 percent attendance rate, which I am proud of.
“Additionally, I attend numerous meetings of boards and commissions that I have been appointed to as county council representative. I also try to stay updated with the ever-changing rules and regulations pertaining to county councils, by attending state-called meetings of county council members, and state and regional meetings of the Indiana Association of Counties.”
Morgan: “I had so many people say they were ‘tired of the same old politics.’ With that said, though, I am not the type of person to talk someone else down to better myself. Today needs to be about people, not politics. I listen to people.
“Kosciusko County does many things well. But our election board is amazing. The bipartisan effort to ensure the safety and legitimacy of our elections in the county should be an example for other communities to follow.”
“I absolutely love people. I may not agree with everyone all the time, but I enjoy the discussions we have. My goal is to bring people and purpose to government by removing the politics.”
County Commission-Southern District
Conley: “I had an unpleasant experience with local government at one point years ago and my response was to get involved and try to make a positive difference by joining the sheriff’s reserve force, then running for county commissioner.
“As county commissioners we listen well, so many times in the last 12 years people have come to me with questions or concerns. Right then if I don't have an answer I will call someone who does or I will seek out the answer and contact the person with an answer.
“How we handle criminal offenders with the opioid and other drug problems and the crime associated with it we are incarcerating so many people, we have a work release program that is burdened, our jail is at or over capacity, we have halfway house (community corrections), there is supervised and unsupervised probation, there is drug court, and all are at or near a breaking point. There is an answer out there; we need to work diligently with our school-age children to let them see what the consequences of bad behavior does to them and their families and, ultimately, our community.
“I know and profess where my strength comes from. My greatest task in life is to see that my wife and children and now our five grandchildren know Jesus as their personal Savior. If I gain the world and don't have eternal salvation I have not prospered. May God give me strength to continue my fiduciary responsibility as county commissioner. With the help of the voters of Kosciusko County I will do my best to represent the citizens well. You can count on it.”
Weingart: “I chose to run for county commissioner because I felt it was important to give people a choice. For too long, we have had one group of people from one party running everything and no one was listening to the needs or how the residents of the county felt. I really want to be a fresh voice with a fresh perspective on how things are done in Kosciusko County.
“I think the hard-working people of the roads department do an outstanding job of keeping our roads clear of ice and snow in the winter. This can be an overwhelming task sometimes, but they really work hard to keep Kosciusko moving.
“One of the most important issues that needs improvement is transparency and listening to the concerns of Kosciusko County residents. The current commissioners are not open to new ideas and seem to have their own agenda. They take little interest in how people feel or in the needs of their constituency. One county official, when told that the wheel tax was unfairly distributed and would hurt, was overheard to say that he didn’t care. There is a lack of empathy and planning for the future to move Kosciusko forward.
“I am a successful businessman that started with nothing and worked hard to become one. In 1980, I was a runner, basically a messenger boy, on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. Constantly, moving forward and learning, I became a broker, bought my own seat and then began to trade for myself. By 2006, I built a brokerage business that eventually employed 53 people, with a revenue stream of $15 million, until I sold it in 2012.
“I worked hard to make myself and my business a success. I want to do the same for Kosciusko County.”
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