Paul Heaton is the first person to file for the Winona Lake Town Council Ward 5 seat.
Councilman Rick Swaim resigned from the position effective Oct. 1 to pursue other challenges. Kosciusko County Republican Party Central Committee Chairman Mike Ragan set a Republican caucus to replace Swaim for 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Winona Lake Town Hall.
In a telephone interview Sunday, when asked why he was seeking the council seat, Heaton said, “I just want to pick up on the progress that Winona Lake has continued to do and build and create a good community, that’s already existed, and help it go in the right direction.”
If chosen by the caucus, it will be the first time Heaton has ever held elected office. He did participate in a caucus against Sue Gooding a number of years ago, and did run for precinct committeeman against Town Marshal Joe Hawn. Heaton said neither he or Heaton knew each other had filed for the precinct committee post.
Heaton is a detective captain with the Warsaw Police Department, where he’s served for the past 15 years. Before joining Warsaw, he was hired as a full-time officer at Winona Lake in 2005, having served as a reserve officer with the town since 2002.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Heaton moved to the area in 1998 to attend Grace College. He graduated from there with a double major in criminal justice and psychology.
Since moving here, Heaton said he’s lived in Winona Lake the whole time except for a short stint where he moved out of the town, but doesn’t want to do that ever again.
“I enjoy the lake. I enjoy The Village and the town as a whole. It has a good vibe to it and I want to see that continue,” he stated.
He and his wife, Kristine, have been married for 23 years and have five children, the oldest currently attending Grace College.
The next council person will be elected by secret ballot of the majority of the voting caucus members to fill the office vacancy. There are five precinct committee persons eligible to vote in the caucus.
Candidates must reside in Winona Lake Ward 5 and be a Republican in good standing. Eligible candidates will be allowed a maximum of three minutes to address the voting caucus.
Declarations of candidacy for the town council seat are available at the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw, and must be filed with Ragan no later than 6 p.m. Oct. 18. Ragan’s telephone number is 574-265-1430.