Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - William E. Musser is the new Syracuse Town councilman.
Thursday, the Republican caucus chose him over three other candidates - William F. Hane, Mindy Jeanne Vandermark and Edward D. Saunders.
The seat on the town council became available when Brian Antonides resigned in late June. Antonides was elected to the council in November, taking office Jan. 1.
Each of the four candidates was given three minutes to speak to the four-person caucus and could, if they chose, answer questions.
Musser told the caucus he was a Syracuse resident since 1979. The former owner of the Wawasee Motel, where Arthur's Fresh Market is now located, Musser previously served on the park board and now serves on the library board.
He said he wants to see the town grow and he learned a lot about budgeting from serving on the library and park boards. "I think that's a very important thing," Musser said.
He has followed the town council through media reports and by attending a few of the meetings and is surprised at what's happening on the board.
Asked his opinion about expanding Ind. 13 to five lanes, Musser said he knows that idea is a long way off. "I would really have to be convinced that's necessary," he said.
Before Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Gavin announced the caucus' decision, he said, "I appreciate all the folks that declared their candidacy." Each of the candidates seems to love their town, he said, and want to see it grow. It takes courage to be a candidate, and Gavin said it is gratifying for him to see more than one candidate for the council seat.
