Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Ernie Wiggins accepted a State Chamber of Commerce Community of the Year award last week, but he doesn't have any illusions about how the city earned the distinction.
A lifelong resident of Warsaw, Wiggins, 54, has held the mayor's office since 1997. He is being challenged by Independent Jerry Opperud in the Nov. 4 city election.
"We have a great environment where business and the community can thrive," he said. "The three great lakes - Center, Pike and Winona - are a great draw."
While the rest of the state has taken a downturn, Warsaw has thrived, and Wiggins credits the presence of three major orthopedic companies and support companies, a national printing plant, a premiere screen manufacturer and automotive conversion company.
"In addition to the orthopedic companies, we have R.R. Donnelley, Da-Lite Screen and Explorer Van, that kind of national presence.
"Check the donors' wall at Kosciusko Community Hospital and the YMCA to see who makes donations to the community," Wiggins said of the corporate presence.
"Medtronic-Sofamor Danek's move (from Winona Lake to Warsaw) is a good indication of companies keeping people here, keeping jobs here," he said. "When we have concerts in Central Park, the corporate sponsors have always been there. It's a very giving community.
These companies also support the tax base, increase the assessed valuation and keep tax rates down, Wiggins said.
"We'll be working with the Chamber to try to attract support vendors here, for the orthopedic companies or whomever.
"We'll continue to expand and have controlled growth. With the second wastewater treatment plant in operation we're in a better position to do economic development. We can offer the infrastructure to new companies and keep working with existing businesses who want to expand."
In the next four years, Wiggins said, the streetscape project will be complete, reintroducing trees and shrubbery on downtown streets. A recommendation of the HyettPalma Downtown Action Agenda, the mayor praised committee members for the recommendation.
"The streetscape is one of the important things we can do for the downtown, it's the identification of the community. For many visitors, the first thing they see is the airport and the next thing is the downtown."
He said the city will ultimately be responsible for the greenery, without adding new personnel.
This year the city council approved a $25,000 grant program for property owners to spruce up downtown storefronts.
"Matching grant money for facades has been very well received," Wiggins said of the $25,000 in grant money available to qualified property owners. "It also was born out of the HyettPalma study. I'm glad the council approved it."
A hard look will be given to the current city hall and a decision to keep the mayor's and clerk's offices and council chamber at the corner of Market and High streets or move another building downtown.
"Renovation is certainly something to consider," he said of the present building. "There may be a better use for this site.
"We, the administration, have done a good job of managing the budget without unduly burdening the citizens," said the Ramsey and Wiggins CPA partner, pointing to the police and fire protection, trash pickup and curbside recycling programs. "We've had really good council people in the past and will in the future."
A member of the Warsaw City Council since 1983, Wiggins marks his 20th year in local government this year. From 1983 until 1997, he represented the city's Third District. He was appointed mayor when Jeff Plank resigned in 1997. He was elected mayor in 2001. This spring he was challenged by fellow Republican and former Warsaw Police Chief Craig Allebach in the May primary. Wiggins received 1,111 votes; Allebach received 756.
He and his wife, Deborah, have two children, Christopher and Elizabeth.
