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SYRACUSE - Kosciusko County residents met and spoke with Republican candidates Thursday night.
The Republican Central Committee held an informal "Meet The Candidates Night" Thursday night at Brooke Point Inn, Syracuse.
Those who attended had the opportunity to speak about the Nov. 7 election with seven-term State Representative Bill Ruppel, District 22, Kosciusko County sheriff candidate William "Rocky" Goshert and State Rep. candidate Dave Wolkins, who is running unopposed for District 18.
Tracy Jackson, a Souder for Congress representative, also attended the candidate night and discussed issues with citizens who attended the event.
Goshert said if he is re-elected there are issues he would like to continue to work on including the meth problem in Kosciusko County and dealing with budget cuts.
"I want to continue to work on solving the meth problem in Kosciusko County and listen to citizens because they are the eyes and ears in what is going on in their neighborhoods," Goshert said.
He said if budget cuts occur, the department would need to look at ways to serve the community with a smaller budget in the most effective way possible.
"No matter who is elected for sheriff, there will be changes that are inevitable such as new technology and policing techniques," Goshert said.
He said he grew up in Kosciusko County, was a state trooper for 21 years and worked as a deputy for the Kosciusko Sheriffs Department for 5-1/2 years.
"We have a highly motivated staff right now and I want to use my experiences to mold us into the best sheriff's department in the state," Goshert said.
Ruppel said he would like to see the bureau of motor vehicles in Syracuse reopen with longer hours to accommodate people who work second shift.
He also suggested the idea of drivers having an option to schedule appointments before going to the license bureau to avoid long lines.
Ruppel encouraged citizens to vote Nov. 7.
"Citizens should vote for candidates they agree with based on facts, figures and truths, not on emotions," Ruppel said.
Wolkins said he supports all-day kindergarten and daylight-saving time.
"I support daylight-saving time because it has been successful from an economic standpoint," Wolkins said.
