Jerry Opperud filed Friday morning as an independent candidate for Warsaw mayor. It is Opperud’s third time for running for mayor. He previously ran for mayor in 2003 and 2007, and has lived in Warsaw since 1955. He founded Makit, a composite design development company, in 1974. Republican Joe Thallemer received the most votes in the May primary for mayor. The general election is Nov. 8. The deadline to file for Warsaw mayor, city council and Winona Lake town council seats was Friday at noon, according to Jason McSherry, county clerk. The deadline for independents, Libertarians, Democrats and Republicans to file in Claypool, Etna Green, Milford, Sidney, Silver Lake, Mentone, North Webster, Pierceton, Syracuse and Silver Lake is Aug. 1 at noon.During an interview Friday afternoon, Opperud, 71, of 116 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, said he finds this time to run for mayor more compelling than before. He said to resolve issues the city needs to have greater community involvement. “Impractical ways must be challenged by greater logic,” Opperud said. “The recent debates in the primary offered nothing more than the passing of the baton.” He said all candidates represented one party, and exposed the likelihood that nothing will change. “In spite of the issues, electing a continuation of the previous administration doesn’t change much if anything, it just increases the consequences,” Opperud said. He said matters of local spending have as their teacher the federal government. He said it is from this source that the power and money is orchestrated. “Out of this arises the issues and the leadership in local government that is out of touch,” Opperud said. If elected mayor, he said he hopes the city can become more unified through responsive leadership. Opperud attended DePauw University, has two daughters, two grandsons and a companion.
