Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
It's been 22 years since a Democrat sat behind the Warsaw mayor's desk and if the Honorable Ernie Wiggins has his way, that record will soon be broken.
A friendly wager has been placed between Wiggins and Plymouth Mayor Jim Yeazel on an upcoming athletic event.
Wiggins has bet the farm, well, a box of Co-Co Wheats manufactured by Little Crow Foods, and a day off, that the Warsaw boys basketball team will be triumphant over the Plymouth team on the Pilgrims' home turf Friday.
Plymouth Mayor Jim Yeazel approached Wiggins with the deal, just to keep things interesting.
"It's all in good clean fun," Wiggins said. "If I win I get the day off and a jar of pickles (packaged in Plymouth by Deans Foods). And Jim Yeazel will be mayor for a day" in Warsaw.
If the 12-5 Tigers beat the 12-2, No. 5 Class 3A Pilgrims, they can tie for leadership of the Northern Lakes Conference, too.
Plymouth is 5-1 in the conference. Warsaw is 4-2.
Dale Tucker was the last Democratic Warsaw mayor; he left office in 1979. Since then the Republican Party hasn't looked back.
Warsaw beat Marion 84-72 on Saturday and, with that win marked on the orange and black's slate, Wiggins has every intention of basking in certain glory with the presentation of a jar of pickles followed by a leisurely day off.
Of course, Yeazel expects the same short vacation and a bowl of tasty Co-Co Puffs for breakfast.
Only the score at the buzzer will tell.
