Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Young Republicans Candidate Forum drew 50 interested citizens to hear from Warsaw and Winona Lake officeholders and challengers for the May 6 primary.
Held in Westminster Hall Tuesday, the YP's vice chairman, Mark Sherrer, talked briefly about the organization, open to Republicans 40 years old and younger.
Incumbents in unchallenged races who attended were: Retha Hicks, Winona Lake clerk-treasurer; Jeff Grose, Warsaw's District 1 councilman; George Clemens, Warsaw's District 3 councilman; and Charlie Smith, Warsaw's District 2 councilman.
Sherrer advised the audience each candidate would be given two minutes to answer questions given by the moderator, Times-Union Managing Editor Gary Gerard.
Winona Lake's District 3 seat, currently held by Rolly Ortega, is being challenged by Jim LeMasters. They were the first to answer the questions given to all the hopefuls.
All council candidates were asked the same questions about political offices held, their qualifications and the top two or three issues facing the council.
Going first, LeMasters said he has been involved in education since 1978 and has attended town council meetings for 15 years. A former Winona Lake park board director, he said one of the challenges facing the community is replacing the town coordinator. He said the council should be more involved in the town's daily operations.
"I was against privatization of town services when Severn-Trent was hired," Lemasters said, adding the Severn-Trent contract is about to be reviewed and money can be saved if the town manages its own employees.
He maintained the park program has lost a lot of initiative, an item he wants to see brought back to its former high standards.
"As you see in the newspaper tonight, the Jefferson Elementary School is on the hit list," he said about a recommendation to the Warsaw Community School Board that Jefferson and several other elementary schools be closed. "I think Jefferson should be saved. It can be expanded or we can build a new school right here."
Ortega is a Grace College graduate who has lived in the town for 22 years. He said he's seen a lot of changes andwants the postive momentum to continue. He is a past president of the town council.
"We have to continue to develop revenues," Ortega said, "and continue with the progress we're making by strengthening the partnership between the town, Grace College and Winona Restoration."
He said challenges include improvements in the road system and infrastructure.
Warsaw's
4th District
Three of Warsaw's council races are being challenged in the primary election: the fourth and fifth districts and the at-large seats.
Fourth district councilman Jerry Patterson sat alone to address the audience as challenger Tammy Rockey did not appear for the program. She attended a mandatory class at the Kosciusko County Reserve Officer Academy.
"I enjoy helping people," the four term councilman said. "I've helped the city with 11 budgets, keeping the tax rate as low as possible."
He's served on the park board, the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Plan Commission.
Patterson sees the operation of the second wastewater treatment plant and accompanying infrastructure as a major concern of the community. He wants work on Hyett-Palma Downtown Action Agenda to continue.
"Going door-to-door in my own district I see many curbs and sidewalks that need replaced," Patterson said regarding a possible fifth term. "We've done a lot and a lot more needs to be done. I'd like to see the Gatke project completed."
