Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber Hosts Meet Candidates Night
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Meet The Candidates night Wednesday at Champagne Jam in Warsaw. The event was sponsored by Times-Union, Kosciusko Community Hospital Health Network, Century Link and Hall & Marose Silveus. Each candidate had time to speak about why they are seeking office. There were approximately 100 people from the community who attended. The primary is May 6 with voting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Twenty-four candidates attended. State Representative District 22 Republican candidates Rebecca Kubacki and Curt Nisly spoke. State Representative Democrat candidate David Kolbe also attended and spoke. The candidates were asked about their stance on gun control. Kubacki said the problem is there are those with severe mental health issues who should not have access to guns. Nisly said the Constitution clearly states the right to bear arms should not be infringed on. He said most of the mass shootings that have happened are in gun-free zones. “The gun-free zones are not the solution, they are the problem,” Nisly said. He said when someone carries a gun it is not just for their protection, but for the protection of others around them as well. Kolbe said from a personal standpoint the right to bear arms is clear and should not be overregulated. He said he feels handguns could be restricted to make sure those who are mentally imbalanced and criminals do not have access to them. Republican Commissioner Southern District candidates Bob Conley and Jon Fussle spoke as well as Democrat candidate Gale Owens. They were asked how they will show transparency as a county commissioner. Fussle said as county councilman he has posted his votes on social media and will continue to do so if elected as commissioner. He also said he currently holds town hall meetings to discuss county topics and will continue to do so if elected commissioner. Conley said he is transparent by being available to constituents through telephone, email and his website. “There are no meetings that I’ve been to in my eight years as commissioner that have been private. We don’t discuss issues unless we are in the commissioners meeting,” Conley said. Owens said transparency is elected officials knowing what is going on in the county. Superior Court 1 Judge candidates David Cates, Stephen Harris and Chad Miner attended, as well as Superior Court 2 Judge candidates Torrey Bauer, Mark Caruso and Tyler Haines. The Indiana Bar Association and chamber are sponsoring a Meet The Candidates Night for the judges Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Center Lake Pavilion. Candidates who are unopposed also attended, including: Prosecutor Dan Hampton, Auditor Michelle Puckett, Recorder Joetta Mitchell, Kosciusko County sheriff candidate Aaron Rovenstine and assessor candidate Susan Engelberth. County Council District 4 candidate Jon Garber (R) and Dan Damron (D) attended. Third District Democrat congressional candidates Justin Kuhnle, Dan Morrison and Jim Redmond also attended. Congressional District 2 Democrat candidates Bob Kern and Douglas Carpenter attended.
