16-Year Member Resigns From Syracuse Council

SYRACUSE - Carol Koble, a member of the Syracuse Town Council since taking office Jan. 1, 1988, resigned from the board effective Dec. 30.

Koble was not in attendance at the meeting. Councilwoman Barbara Carwile read the letter.

Koble was re-elected to office in the 2003 election.

Mike Gavin, Kosciusko County Republican chairman, said today that a Republican caucus will be held Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. in the town hall, 310 N. Huntington St., Syracuse, to replace Koble.

Any Republicans living within the town limits of Syracuse who want to run for the office can pick up a declaration of candidacy at the clerk's office in Warsaw. Applications need to be received by Gavin no later than Jan. 16. Gavin's address is 85 S. Hunter's Ridge, Warsaw, IN 46582.

With Koble resigning, and Carwile and Bill Hane not being re-elected, councilmen Paul Stoelting and Larry Siegel are the only returning members of the Syracuse Town Council this year. Siegel was elected in 2002.

Stoelting said when Carwile read Koble's letter, he was taken aback.

"We were all surprised," he said. Only Carwile knew about Koble's resignation, and at that time was the only other councilman to have received a copy of the letter.

He said the letter did not elaborate on why Koble was resigning as it was rather vague.

Today, Koble said that all she wanted to say on the matter was indicated in the resignation letter.

In her letter, Koble wrote: "It is with regret that it has become necessary to tender my letter of resignation to this council, effective Dec. 30, 2003.

"It has been my pleasure to have been part of this and previous councils for the past 16 years.

"I have enjoyed working with the town manager, the department heads and the many employees. We have some of the best personnel in the county.

"I have enjoyed working with the citizens of this community, whether they are of the business community, members of the service clubs, churches, schools, etc.

"My desire is that this community will continue to look for ways to improve and care for its citizens.

"Thank you for allowing me to be a part of so much.

"Best wishes as you work together for the improvement of this community."

Stoelting said he thought Koble may be resigning for personal reasons. She may have foreseen all the changes occurring in the town and on the council and may not have wanted to be a part of it. But, he said, she wasn't very specific.

As for Koble personally, Stoelting said, "I was real fond of Carol anyway." Koble is one of those people who gave a lot of input on the council and always was very vocal about her feelings. She was very observant of the town's needs, he said. She was adamant about the town doing something about run-down buildings in the town and a strong supporter of the community center.

Stoelting said, "She'll be missed."