SILVER LAKE - Silver Lake Republicans pared seven hopefuls down to three nominees to appear on the November town council ballot.
Tuesday evening at the Silver Lake Conservation Building, about 25 members of the Silver Lake Republican party met to hear the seven hopefuls speak and choose the top three to be candidates.
All three Silver Lake town council seats will be decided in the November election.
After the votes were counted, the top three Republican nominees were Shannon Blocher, Ron Jones and Linda Baker.
Jones is the only current town council member seeking re-election. Stanley Williams and Gary Kneller will finish their stints on the town council at the end of this term.
Tuesday night, each possible candidate was given five minutes to explain why they want to be on the town council. Then all registered voters present chose the three candidates.
Jones, the current town council president, told the group, "Don't look back, but go forward."
Jones then pointed out several project that were completed during his term on the council. He mentioned new businesses Family Dollar and Pizza King moving to town, talked about the completion of the sewer project, and improved safety with new tornado sirens and the addition of the Multi-Township EMS to town.
Blocher stressed the importance of family and the small-town friendliness that Silver Lake offers.
"Silver Lake is a family-friendly community, and I want to see the town grow economically and aesthetically," Blocher said. "This town has a lot of potential for economic advancement."
Blocher also said she would like to see a library and a new playground in the town, but said she wanted to explore grant opportunities and not raise taxes.
Baker said she moved to Silver Lake from Warsaw about a year and a half ago and loves the friendly nature for the town and its residents.
She would like to see the town grow and prosper.
"I also am concerned with the youth in town," Baker said. "They need something to do."
Baker, Blocher and Jones will represent the Republican Party on the November ballot and run against any Independent or Democrat challengers.
