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SYRACUSE - Syracuse Town Council President Bill Cutter died on Nov. 5.
Tuesday, a Republican caucus chose Syracuse firefighter and paramedic Michael Davis to replace him. Davis has been involved in emergency medical services for 27 years.
Davis, 45, was named the new councilman over candidates Scott Abbs and Harold Douglas Shrock.
Before the caucus chose the new councilman, each candidate addressed the precinct committee people in the caucus and answered questions.
Davis told the caucus he has lived in Syracuse approximately five to seven years, but has been interested in community service for 27 years. He said he lives in Syracuse year-round.
Asked if he thinks Ind. 13 should be expanded to a five-lane highway, Davis said, "... In my opinion, I'm not in favor of a five-lane highway." He said five lanes will cause more problems for the drainage in the section of town known as the "Village."
He did not have any thoughts on how the Lakeside Park Community Center should be funded and was "really not up on" the operational costs of the town. "But tax-wise, I feel we're in a fair situation," he said.
As for where the next annexation for the town of Syracuse should be, Davis said, "I'd like to see it to the west." He said more industrial development needs to go to that area.
He also said he sees "a great need" to improve and expand the town's sewage plant.
Charlene Knispel asked Davis why he wanted to be on the council and where would he like to see the town in the future.
"Being on the town council would give me more of an input into the town," Davis said. He said it would give him a say and he would listen to the people. More industrial development needs to be brought into Syracuse, he said.
Davis will finish Cutter's term, which has approximately two years left.
"This really is an exceptional group of people," said Mike Miner, Kosciusko County Republican Party Chairman, of the three candidates. He said they were lucky to have the candidates and encouraged them all to run again in the future. "When you go to these things," he said, "a lot of times, it's difficult to get exceptional people like we have here."
Members of the caucus included Susan Myrick, Jim Howard, Sandy Cobbum, Knispel and Miner.
