Winona Candidates Air Their ViewsWINONA LAKE – Candidates running for Winona Lake clerk-treasurer and Wards 1-5 had the opportunity to speak Monday night about why they will make the best candidate. The primary is May 3. The candidates spoke during the two-hour debate at Winona Lake Senior Center, hosted by Kosciusko Silent No More. Michael Harstine served as moderator. Each candidate had two minutes to provide opening remarks, then answered questions and provided a closing statement. One of the questions the candidates responded to was: How do you differ from your opponent? Clerk-treasurer candidate Kent Adams said he has a diverse background and experience as county treasurer, serving in the Indiana General Assembly and as a chief financial officer in area school corporations. He said he is familiar working with large budgets, studying issues and listening to all parties. Clerk-treasurer candidate Retha Hicks said she has proven she is committed to the town while serving as clerk-treasurer. She gave an example of when the town installed an art display and flower garden on a deadline, and she worked with two volunteers for three weeks during out-of-office hours to make the projects a reality. Ward 1 candidate Philip Hood said being employed as a materials planner at Medtronic has taught him to serve as a team player, and said it is important to work as a team. Ward 1 candidate Dan Daggett said he believes he has life experience leading a sales team for Lake City Radio dealing with its budget and knowing how to work with cash flow, revenue and keeping costs in line. Ward 2 candidate John Boal said he has a vision for the future of the town, and said a leader must see the future, analyze the facts and make decisive decisions in a reasonable amount of time. Boal said he feels his opponent, Terry Howie, has led the town, but not made decisive decisions in a timely manner such as the Greenway expansion and use for the Arnolt property. Howie said as a council member, he has worked to make sure tax dollars are spent wisely and not misused or abused the dollars and listened to his constituents. Ward 3 candidate Jerry Nelson said attending council meetings as a Winona Lake resident over the past six years has allowed him to understand citizens’ concerns. Ward 3 candidate Bruce Shaffner said, as a councilman, he has always been willing to listen and address constituents’ needs. Ward 4 candidate Greg Winn said he he is passionate about improving the town and using his experience at Pillbox Pharmacy on the town council. Ward 4 candidate Sue Gooding said she has been in business for 28 years and has experience making payroll, and interacting with customers and vendors. Ward 5 candidate Randy Swanson, who is unopposed in the primary, said in 2008 when he was selected during a caucus to fill the seat he was asked by constituents to not be a rubber stamping mechanism for proposals to the council. He said he has listened, and looked at issues from financial perspectives before making recommendations to the council. The candidates also were asked their position on allowing a three-way liquor license in the town for The Boathouse Restaurant and Cerulean Restaurant. Nelson said he felt if he was on the town council, he would seek input from the town’s people on the issue. Shaffner said with Winona’s unique background, he would listen to residents’ ideas on the topic. Winn said he would vote in favor of the three-way liquor license, and said it could make the restaurants more profitable. Gooding said she would listen to residents’ ideas, but if she had hundreds of people at a council meeting advising her to vote no, that would be the way she would vote. Swanson said he does not see a Biblical, historical or traditional principle that would keep the restaurants from having a three-way license. Hood said it is important to support the local businesses, and said he would support the license. Daggett said he felt a three-way liquor license is a good idea and will help the two established businesses make more money and provide tax dollars to the community. Howie said he would seek community input on the issue, and pointed out there has been a tradition of no liquor in Winona Lake. Boal said he would like the restaurants to provide reasoning for the license, and the economic impacts and talk with the college dean at Grace College to make sure allowing the license is a good decision.
