Editor, Times-Union: As I drive through Warsaw this week I see familiar signs popping up again that peppered our local yards here in town back in April and May. They take me back to February and why I decided to run for mayor of my hometown.
It's really quite simple. I spoke with many people locally and found one common denominator. People told me that they felt powerless in our local government and had no control over where we were going as a city. After asking them why they felt that way they said all the decisions were predetermined and no matter what they said or did it would not change anything.
That took me to the downtown bank building. I had to agree it seemed that no one I spoke with thought it was a good idea except the people on our city council, excluding one. I, like a lot of locals, read the Times-Union and saw what they were saying and could not understand why we had a current city hall that, while visiting, I found to be left without proper maintenance for quite sometime. Also I looked at the location of our police department and found we own 10.3 acres that is mostly vacant. Granted some of that land is not buildable due to a high water table and low areas, but there is still tons of room to expand with loads of parking.
I spoke with our current mayor and the man he wanted to replace him and they gave me several reasons for why it was a good idea to remodel the bank and how we got such a good deal on the purchase. I was not convinced based on my construction and business background.
Now here we have one more chance to elect a new voice of the people – Jerry Opperud. He seems to me to have his ear to the ground and a great business background. In my opinion he will be able to relate to badly needed prospective businesses to locate or relocate in our area. I hope no matter who you want to head up our city for the next four years you should go vote Nov. 8. Don't say you have no voice when at the same time you refuse to speak.
