Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE - Warsaw's building inspector is Mentone's new town councilman.
Roger Long was elected to serve on the Mentone town board during a Republican caucus Monday night by precinct committeeman Ed Rock, representing Harrison 2, and Angie Swihart, representing Franklin 1. Long replaces Mark Hughes, who resigned his Mentone council seat at the end of December. Hughes was elected to the town board in 2003.
Long has lived in Mentone for about five years and has six children. He works for Warsaw as its building inspector.
Long was up for the Mentone post against three other candidates, including Jacque Bradley, Troy Burgess and Shelly Krueger. According to Kosciusko County Republican Party Chairman Aaron Rovenstine, candidates had to live in Mentone and be a registered Republican. A declaration of candidacy form was due to Rovenstine 72 hours before Monday's 7 p.m. caucus.
Each candidate was given five minutes to speak. Long said he moved to Mentone from Warsaw about five years ago because he thinks Mentone is a great town. While some buildings in Mentone are "dumpy" and need addressed, he said Mentone has the potential for some "great growth." As Warsaw's building inspector, he has the expertise to help. He also commented that while the Tucker Street expansion is nice, more could have been done with it.
Rovenstine thanked all four candidates for their interest in the seat on the council, saying it's sometimes difficult to get people to run for office.
Rock and Swihart selected Long on their first ballot. The other Mentone town board members are Jack Simpson and Tim Croy.
