Democrat Gale Owens is seeking the candidacy for Kosciusko County Commissioner – Southern District. The seat is currently held by Republican Bob Conley. “Public service is something I have been involved with all of my adult life. However, the last few years, I feel that the service side of public office has been neglected,” Owens said in a press release. Having the same people make the majority of decisions for so many, year after year, decade after decade, does not promote growth, he said. For these reasons he said he announces his candidacy for the seat. He and his wife and are lifetime residents of Kosciusko County. They have been married for 34 years and have three children as well as six grandchildren. He is a member of Gospel Hill Church in Silver Lake and is employed by Symmetry Medical, Warsaw. He has served and currently serves on Silver Lake Town Council for 11 years and currently serves on Lakeview Cemetery Board as well. He has also been a Lions member and past president in Silver Lake. Not only does he feel civic organizations serve the communities but he said he has always felt that good leadership can always be at its most beneficial when observed by youth. He has worked with the Kosciusko County Economic Development Commission and county law enforcement agencies. He was president, vice president, umpire-at-large and coach for Silver Lake Youth League for more than 21 years. He attended Silver Lake Elementary School, Claypool Junior High, and was a 1974 graduate of Warsaw High School. “I am very proud of and enjoy working with our local volunteer fire department, local police department and our town street and utilities department,” Owens said. He said he believes the county can be moved forward and improved while maintaining the small-town atmosphere and family oriented values that make Kosciusko County “such an amazing place to live and raise a family.” “I am just a man that has served Silver Lake with pride and love for his community. I have worked hard like every other taxpayer in this county to provide a living for my family,” Owens said. He said he has shared struggles and successes and appreciated the lessons both have given him. “Because of this, I know the struggles our working families are facing and I feel that there could be more achieved to bring better solutions to our community and make more opportunities available to our families.” He said he believes in gathering facts and hearing people and what they have to say before making a decision. “I believe in common sense and transparency. I also feel that just because taxpayer money is available, does not mean we always need to spend it,” Owens said. “I am looking forward to being able to hear your ideas, and serving you as Kosciusko County’s Southern District Commissioner.”
