Thallemer Seeks 3rd TermJoe Thallemer said this morning he will seek a third term as mayor of Warsaw.
The 63-year-old Republican, who owns and operates Thallemer Vision Care Center in Warsaw, announced the move in a news release this morning.
Thallemer served three terms as a city councilman before running for mayor in 2011.
In his first mayoral bid, he faced three challengers in that primary and one in the general election.
In 2015, he was uncontested in the primary and general elections.
“Originally, I? talked about just doing two terms, but really feel the need to finish up what we’ve done, and more importantly, keep the trajectory we’ve started on,” Thallemer said this morning.
Thallemer highlighted fiscal responsibility and the growth of Warsaw in his announcement, which comes just days after the city announced Warsaw’s tax rate would remain chiefly unchanged for the third consecutive year.
“Our taxpayers have enjoyed favorable tax rates,” he said. “ We have focused on policies and projects that stimulate growth and opportunity right here in Warsaw. This broadens the local tax base and keeps taxes low for everyone.”
Indeed, Thallemer’s tenure has been marked in large part by growth and economic development.
“We are proud of our track record of serving our community members and keeping our promises,” says Thallemer. “We will continue to do what is good for Warsaw and focus on moving our entire community forward.”
At the same time, the city’s population has grown 8 percent in the past eight years, according to U.S. Census figures.
Prior to being on the city council, Thallemer was appointed to the plan commission by then-Mayor Jeff Plank. He said those five years of experience were critical in learning how to lay the groundwork for controlled growth.
The city is in the midst of its largest public works project – a two-pronged effort costing $41 million that will significantly expand sewer capacity with a newly configured treatment plant and rehab much of the related underground infrastructure.
Also underway is a redevelopment project on the north end of Buffalo Street, which will mesh with numerous other proposed changes along the adjacent Center Lake Park.
The city is also seeing continued growth in its industrial tech park on U.S. 30 and is working to extend sewer service for a future industrial park near the airport.
City planners are also entering the third phase of renovating East Market Street and are preparing for a fourth phase that will pass through the downtown.
The city also helped coordinate and construct a spruced-up alleyway south of city hall with plants and seating. The project topped $100,000 and was paid for with private donations and grant money.
Thallemer has been criticized repeatedly by Warsaw Community, a Facebook page run anonymously by several people. Most of the complaints have been about approval of two sewer rate hikes and the change in the city’s garbage collection policy several years ago, among other things.
The Facebook page has attacked Thallemer repeatedly and has criticized a majority of the all-Republican city council.
He called much of that a distraction.
“It’s somewhat distracting at times because you spend a lot of time trying to fend off twisted, disingenuous falsehoods that are designed to muddle, but a majority of our council, clerk-treasurer and myself know what were doing and where we’re going,” Thallemer said.
The filing period for next year’s municipal elections begins Jan. 9 and continues until Feb. 8.
Thallemer said he will file in early January and then begin campaigning for the May primary.
