John Fussle announced today his candidacy for county commissioner in the May 5 Republican primary. The 35 year-old Fussle is currently serving his second year on county council, where he said he has learned a lot and gained experience working with his peers, department heads and county employees. “I’m running for commissioner to bring openness and transparency to the office, to bring vision and to help take on the challenges facing this county,” Fussle said in his announcement. He also said he believes his unique skill set would be best utilized in the role of county commissioner. “One of the hallmarks of my time on the council has been my transparency and openness with the public,” he said, citing his sharing of council business over social media and monthly “Second Council” meetings, when he discusses meeting agendas with constituents. “I try to answer any questions that might arise before an issue ever gets to the meeting. If I can’t answer a question, I get an answer before the county council meeting. I believe this practice helps us all grow and learn as we work together as one, rather than elected officials answering to their constituents every four years. This all takes time and energy, but I am invested in serving the community and it is a practice I plan to continue as commissioner,” he wrote. “The citizens are my boss, and I answer to the boss every time I vote.” He said the biggest immediate challenge facing the county is highway department funding, and said county government and the department should determine how to get roads fixed without raising property taxes. “Potholes and the obvious signs of degradation on the county highways are exposing the weakest link in Kosciusko County,” he said. “The most underfunded department in the county is the Highway Department. We have consistently under-funded the KCHD for years, and it is catching up to us. He said said the county needs to create the friendliest environment for businesses and families. “In order to grow, we must be able to compete with other cities for every job in the orthopedic industry, as well as working hard to diversify our economy,” he wrote. “An orthopedic hospital would build on our success in the orthopedic industry and solidifies our title as ‘Orthopedic Capital of the World’, and a small business incubator would help us diversify our local economy.” And he said he made it a priority as a councilman to meet with business owners and investors to consider Kosciusko County for growth or relocation. He said recent efforts include working with the Indiana and Kosciusko County economic development corporations and the Warsaw/Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce to compete with Florida and Nevada to attract the attention of an aerospace company looking to relocate from South America. “The approximately 50 jobs it creates is a clear win, but more importantly, it puts Kosciusko on the radar of the aerospace industry,” he said. “With one company moving here, the rest of the industry will ask themselves, ‘Why Kosciusko County?’ That gives us the chance to talk about our skilled workforce, our favorable business climate and our beautiful community.” He said he is also working with a charter company to get scheduled flight service from Warsaw to Chicago and Detroit. Fussle said of his candidacy in the announcement, “I am running for commissioner because I am a big-picture, problem solving, outside-the-box thinker. I have been working hard for Kosciusko County on the council, and I look forward to continuing that as commissioner.” He is a lifetime resident of the county, a professional pilot and small business owner. He is a graduate of Comair Aviation Academy in Sanford, Fla., and attended Holy Cross College in Notre Dame. He has been married to his wife, Katye, for more than two years and they have a one-year old daughter, Savannah, with their second daughter expected in June. For campaign information see www.JonFussle.com or www.fb.com/FriendsOfJonFussle
