An announcement from Warren Smith at WORLD magazine:
Dear Media Friends:
We have created a new web-site designed just for college students: www.worldoncampus.com
The editor of that site is Leigh Jones. She and some of our freelancers have done some great work there already. Here are a few recent stories that I think your listeners might find interesting:
An important religious liberty case at Vanderbilt.
Pregnant students not welcome on campus.
Christian group at UNC-Chapel Hill criticized for ousting gay member.
Students facing tough job market shouldn't despair.
We're excited about this site and the ORIGINAL JOURNALISM we're able to do that is focused directly on college students and young adults. If you would like to interview Leigh about the site or any of these stories, just hit the reply button and let me know you're interested. We'll work to set something up.
Cordially,
Warren
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Results are In!
Clerk/Treasurer
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* Kent Adams -R 496 54%
Retha S. Hicks -R 428 46%
Town Council District 1
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* Philip Hood -R 595 67%
Dan K. Daggett -R 298 33%
Town Council District 2
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* John R. Boal -R 461 51%
Terry Howie -R 451 49%
Town Council District 3
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* Bruce J. Shaffner -R 607 69%
Jerold Nelson -R 277 31%
Town Council District 4
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* Greg Winn -R 583 65%
Sue Gooding -R 318 35%
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* Kent Adams -R 496 54%
Retha S. Hicks -R 428 46%
Town Council District 1
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* Philip Hood -R 595 67%
Dan K. Daggett -R 298 33%
Town Council District 2
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* John R. Boal -R 461 51%
Terry Howie -R 451 49%
Town Council District 3
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* Bruce J. Shaffner -R 607 69%
Jerold Nelson -R 277 31%
Town Council District 4
Winona Lake - Republican
100% Precincts Reporting
* Greg Winn -R 583 65%
Sue Gooding -R 318 35%
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Candidates Face Off in Public Forum Monday Night
Winona Lake Town Council candidates debate at forum
By Josh Neuhart
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Winona Lake candidates for town council and the clerk-treasurer position faced off in a candidates’ forum on Monday night hosted by the Kosciusko County Silent No More group at the Winona Lake Senior Center.
Two Republican candidates from each of four wards were represented. In Ward 5 incumbent Randy Swanson has no opposition, although he was present and participated. Retha Hicks (incumbent) and Kent Adams are running for clerk-treasurer. The candidates will be voted upon in the May 3 primary election.
The forum, which was moderated by Dr. Michael Harstine of Grace College, allowed for each of the candidates to have a two-minute introduction followed by a series of answers to questions provided by Silent No More regarding social, character and local event issues. Each ward’s candidates responded to the same question back-to-back to allow the approximately 75 people in attendance an opportunity to compare answers. After the nine question-and-answer segments, each candidate issued a one-minute conclusion.
According to Silent No More co-founder Monica Boyer, the forum’s purpose was to provide a fair and balanced debate in order to educate voters. Boyer and Jim Heierman, the group’s other co-founder, opened the forum before the event was turned over to Harstine.
Dan Daggett and Philip Hood represented Ward 1. Daggett, in his first race for political office, offered to bring fresh insights and ideas to the town council. He desired to bring about a stronger police department, fire department and street department through his seat by giving them the resources they needed. He also stated the need to maintain the current $5,000 limit for unauthorized spending for the department heads in the town. “There’s a bright future out there for Winona Lake. We just have to keep moving in the right direction,” he said.
Hood, on the other hand, did not necessarily think that there needs to be a limit to the amount department heads can spend as long as they stay within their budget. He stated the importance for the town to work with Warsaw, Grace Village, Grace College, and Winona Lake Restoration to foster and protect the resources of the town. He also believed there is a need to maintain the quality of the streets in the town to ensure it stays “a wonderful place to live and work.”
In Ward 2, John Boal is attempting to upend the incumbent Terry Howie. Boal’s vision included a plan to enhance the existing community through finishing the Greenway project and preserving Winona Lake. He also recommended having a quarterly, joint town council meeting with the Warsaw Common Council to eliminate fences between the two areas. He believed that his ability to make decisive decisions in a timely manner set him apart from Howie. He insisted that the number one priority of the town council is to attract new businesses. “If we don’t attract new businesses, the only option is raise taxes, and that should not and can’t happen in Winona Lake,” he said.
Howie maintained that his community experience was invaluable. His ability to speak face-to-face with leaders in the community as a resident since 1964 allowed him to understand the issues. His next plan would be to complete the Greenway project and work toward eliminating the pollution of Winona Lake. He opposed Boal in the need to sustain the $5,000 spending limit for department heads. “In this economy, I think we need to do better micromanaging. We have to see if your tax dollars are being spent wisely,” he said.
Bruce Shaffner is the incumbent in Ward 3 and is running against Jerry Nelson. Shaffner believes he can provide common sense solutions with a simple approach to not let spending exceed the income. He discussed furthering partnerships between the public and private sectors and government institutions in the community in order to understand and resolve the local issues of the town.
Nelson maintained that his most important asset is his involvement. He said he is a regular attendee of town council meetings. His next project would be to make the town much more recreational in order to give the people of Warsaw more opportunities to utilize Winona Lake. He also issued a strong desire to get rid of the “abandoned factory as you enter or leave Winona Lake,” referring to the Gatke Building at 2321 South McKinley St., Warsaw.
In Ward 4, current town council president Sue Gooding squared off with Greg Winn. Gooding displayed a commitment to continue the work the current town council was performing, specifically in regards to the Greenway project and in preserving Winona Lake. One area she maintained that would set her apart from Winn was in work experience (28 years compared to three for Winn). As far as attracting new tax-paying businesses to the community, she claimed the town needs an area to put the businesses. “We are at a terrible lack of places to put businesses. Get a place to put (new businesses), and then we can put them,” she said.
Winn, on the other hand, desired to partner with and support the existing businesses in the town. He believed that completing the Greenway project and cleaning up Winona Lake would attract new entities. Furthermore, he issued plans to make the town into a bicycle and pedestrian-friendly community. He also made mention of creating an open-air market in the town, which could expand the type of culture that the Village of Winona currently creates.
The incumbent Randy Swanson is running unopposed for the Ward 5 seat. He stated a need to make the town council more than simply a “rubber-stamping mechanism for certain proposals.” He said there is a need to be reasonable in dealings with reputable existing businesses (such as allowing the three-way liquor licenses to BoatHouse Restaurant and Cerulean Restaurant) but to not allow new organizations into the town to lower the status of the community (such as a carryout or bar). He mentioned land along Highway U.S. 30 that would be suitable for industry development.
The final race was for the clerk-treasurer position between the incumbent Hicks and Adams. Hicks maintained that her level of commitment to the town has been proven over time, which distinguishes her from Adams. She supported Boal’s idea of a joint Warsaw/Winona Lake meeting for the councils and also stressed the need for home rule and unfunded mandates in local government to give the town more say in local affairs. “Legislation that…can increase our time or financial commitment to accomplish is crippling to a small community,” she said.
Adams pointed to his diverse work experience as a CFO in school corporations to a town trustee to a state trooper to working in the Indiana General Assembly as a definite separation from himself and Hicks. He had several ideas the council could explore including: posting the town’s monthly financial reports online, filing electronically all town council reports to ensure accuracy and establishing a system to make sure all contracts are renewed in a timely manner. “I want to provide fiscal application of all the public tax dollars that come into this office,” he said. “I feel I’m qualified, and I think my candidacy this year offers voters for the first time in 18 years a choice.”
The candidates differed only slightly and agreed overall that a three-way liquor license for Boathouse, Cerulean was deserved since both restaurants were reputable. Most candidates also mentioned that not-for-profit organizations in the community were valuable entities that do not need to provide additional money to the town.
Winona Town Council Candidates Present Positions
Winona Lake town council candidates participate in forum
By Stephen Copeland
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Winona Lake’s 11 town council hopefuls did little to differentiate themselves at a two-hour debate hosted by Kosciusko Silent No More on Monday evening.
The meeting included candidates Dan Daggett and Phil Hood (Ward 1), John Boal and Terry Howie (Ward 2), Jerry Nelson and Bruce Shaffner (Ward 3), Sue Gooding and Greg Winn (Ward 4), incumbent council member Randy Swanson (Ward 5) who is running uncontested and Kent Adams and Retha Hicks (clerk-treasurer). Grace College faculty member Michael Harstine moderated the forum at the Winona Lake Senior Center where about 75 people were in attendance.
The candidates delivered their two-minute opening statements then addressed a number of character and social issues that Silent No More gathered for the forum. They agreed on several subjects, all expressing concern for preserving the cleanliness of Winona Lake and the completion of the Greenway project. None of them expressed animosity regarding local businesses obtaining three-way liquor licenses—unless the people of Winona Lake had a problem with it.
They also agreed that the town council was a vital instrument in attracting small businesses to the town, believed $5,000 was an appropriate amount for spending without authorization among department heads, valued the importance of non-profits such as Grace College in the community, believed “home rule” was crucial for Gov. Daniels and all valued the importance of partnering with Warsaw. Each candidate mentioned that he/she relied on God and the Bible for moral authority.
In Ward 1, Daggett, who is in his 24th year as a sales manager at Lake City Radio, believed that his experience of working with “cash flow and revenue and keeping those costs in line” on a daily basis was an important distinction between him and his opponent.
Lifelong Winona Lake resident Hood, on the contrary, a materials planner for Medtronic who is involved in a committee that completes service projects, thought his ability to “adapt and be a team player” better qualified him for the job.
Boal, in Ward 2, accused the incumbent Howie of being “afraid to make decisive decisions in a timely manner” such as the Greenway Project and the Gardens for Winona, projects that were supposedly tabled. Boal was also the first town council member of the evening to suggest a quarterly, joint town council meeting with the Warsaw and Winona Lake governments beginning in 2012. “Being a council member in Winona Lake is not about mending fences with Warsaw,” Boal said. “There can be no fences with Warsaw.”
Howie, in response, said that as a town council member, he has strived to “make proper decisions at the proper time to make sure tax dollars are being used properly and not misused or abused.” He mentioned that being a Winona Lake resident since 1964has allowed him to get to know the community and leaders of Kosciusko County.
In Ward 3, candidate Nelson prided himself on his involvement attending the town council meetings regularly for the last six years. He said he was instrumental in making the council aware of a boat ordinance that was eventually changed by the council. Nelson was also very specific in what he wanted to be known for as a council member.
“[I want] to get rid of that ugly factory when you enter Winona Lake where there was just a meth bust,” Nelson said. “My legacy would be to work with Warsaw and work with whoever we need to so we can get rid of that terrible mess and the criminal activity that goes on there.”
Shaffner said that he has lived in the community his entire life and as the president of Shaffner & Shaffner Enterprises Inc., and being in business for the last 30 years, he is plugged into the community.
“I know a vast majority of the people sitting out here,” Shaffner said. “I think I’ve always portrayed myself as an open individual who is willing to talk and listen to what your needs are…We have a public business, and it’s easy to find me.”
In Ward 4, Winn, 29, said that he is passionate about growth and improvement, evidenced by managing a cooperative of pharmacies that has recently grown from 180 to 280. The incumbent Gooding responded by exploiting Winn’s inexperience in light of her 28 years of doing business.
“Three years [of business] is great, but I tell you, if three years is equivalent to school experience, that puts you in the third grade…You’ve learned a lot, but I have 28 years of meeting payroll and dealing with customers and meeting with vendors. It’s not even close.”
Later in the evening, Winn talked specifically about his legacy project: “The thing I want to accomplish the most is the pedestrian friendly and bicycle friendly community. I believe that builds stronger communities.” Gooding said she wants to be known as a listener who “made it happen,” mentioning that as a town council member she has “gotten all of the board’s empty spots filled with fresh new people.”
For the clerk treasurer’s position, Adams mentioned that his experience—16 years as CFO in a public school corporation, 10 years as a township trustee, 16 years at the Indiana General Assembly, four years as the Kosciusko County Treasurer, being an Indiana State Trooper and 31 years in public education—separated him from the incumbent Hicks.
Hicks said that her level of commitment as the clerk treasurer separated her from Adams, alluding to a project she recently completed where a donor gave money for an art display and a garden that cost her 60 hours a week for three weeks to get it done—40 hours spent in the office and 20 hours working on the garden.
The primary is May 3.
By Stephen Copeland
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Winona Lake’s 11 town council hopefuls did little to differentiate themselves at a two-hour debate hosted by Kosciusko Silent No More on Monday evening.
The meeting included candidates Dan Daggett and Phil Hood (Ward 1), John Boal and Terry Howie (Ward 2), Jerry Nelson and Bruce Shaffner (Ward 3), Sue Gooding and Greg Winn (Ward 4), incumbent council member Randy Swanson (Ward 5) who is running uncontested and Kent Adams and Retha Hicks (clerk-treasurer). Grace College faculty member Michael Harstine moderated the forum at the Winona Lake Senior Center where about 75 people were in attendance.
The candidates delivered their two-minute opening statements then addressed a number of character and social issues that Silent No More gathered for the forum. They agreed on several subjects, all expressing concern for preserving the cleanliness of Winona Lake and the completion of the Greenway project. None of them expressed animosity regarding local businesses obtaining three-way liquor licenses—unless the people of Winona Lake had a problem with it.
They also agreed that the town council was a vital instrument in attracting small businesses to the town, believed $5,000 was an appropriate amount for spending without authorization among department heads, valued the importance of non-profits such as Grace College in the community, believed “home rule” was crucial for Gov. Daniels and all valued the importance of partnering with Warsaw. Each candidate mentioned that he/she relied on God and the Bible for moral authority.
In Ward 1, Daggett, who is in his 24th year as a sales manager at Lake City Radio, believed that his experience of working with “cash flow and revenue and keeping those costs in line” on a daily basis was an important distinction between him and his opponent.
Lifelong Winona Lake resident Hood, on the contrary, a materials planner for Medtronic who is involved in a committee that completes service projects, thought his ability to “adapt and be a team player” better qualified him for the job.
Boal, in Ward 2, accused the incumbent Howie of being “afraid to make decisive decisions in a timely manner” such as the Greenway Project and the Gardens for Winona, projects that were supposedly tabled. Boal was also the first town council member of the evening to suggest a quarterly, joint town council meeting with the Warsaw and Winona Lake governments beginning in 2012. “Being a council member in Winona Lake is not about mending fences with Warsaw,” Boal said. “There can be no fences with Warsaw.”
Howie, in response, said that as a town council member, he has strived to “make proper decisions at the proper time to make sure tax dollars are being used properly and not misused or abused.” He mentioned that being a Winona Lake resident since 1964has allowed him to get to know the community and leaders of Kosciusko County.
In Ward 3, candidate Nelson prided himself on his involvement attending the town council meetings regularly for the last six years. He said he was instrumental in making the council aware of a boat ordinance that was eventually changed by the council. Nelson was also very specific in what he wanted to be known for as a council member.
“[I want] to get rid of that ugly factory when you enter Winona Lake where there was just a meth bust,” Nelson said. “My legacy would be to work with Warsaw and work with whoever we need to so we can get rid of that terrible mess and the criminal activity that goes on there.”
Shaffner said that he has lived in the community his entire life and as the president of Shaffner & Shaffner Enterprises Inc., and being in business for the last 30 years, he is plugged into the community.
“I know a vast majority of the people sitting out here,” Shaffner said. “I think I’ve always portrayed myself as an open individual who is willing to talk and listen to what your needs are…We have a public business, and it’s easy to find me.”
In Ward 4, Winn, 29, said that he is passionate about growth and improvement, evidenced by managing a cooperative of pharmacies that has recently grown from 180 to 280. The incumbent Gooding responded by exploiting Winn’s inexperience in light of her 28 years of doing business.
“Three years [of business] is great, but I tell you, if three years is equivalent to school experience, that puts you in the third grade…You’ve learned a lot, but I have 28 years of meeting payroll and dealing with customers and meeting with vendors. It’s not even close.”
Later in the evening, Winn talked specifically about his legacy project: “The thing I want to accomplish the most is the pedestrian friendly and bicycle friendly community. I believe that builds stronger communities.” Gooding said she wants to be known as a listener who “made it happen,” mentioning that as a town council member she has “gotten all of the board’s empty spots filled with fresh new people.”
For the clerk treasurer’s position, Adams mentioned that his experience—16 years as CFO in a public school corporation, 10 years as a township trustee, 16 years at the Indiana General Assembly, four years as the Kosciusko County Treasurer, being an Indiana State Trooper and 31 years in public education—separated him from the incumbent Hicks.
Hicks said that her level of commitment as the clerk treasurer separated her from Adams, alluding to a project she recently completed where a donor gave money for an art display and a garden that cost her 60 hours a week for three weeks to get it done—40 hours spent in the office and 20 hours working on the garden.
The primary is May 3.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Winona Lake Elections--Candidate Information
The following information was compiled by Renae Salyers of the Grace Village Retirement Center staff in preparation for the candidates' forum on Monday, April 18. Mr. Shaffner and Mr. Shavers did not respond to requests, so their information was compiled from other sources.
Meet the Winona Lake, Indiana, Town Council Candidates
April 2011
Each candidate was personally invited to attend the “Meet the Candidates Night” Monday, April 18th at 6pm. Each candidate was asked to submit their own bio’s for distribution. Grace Village is not responsible in representing any of the candidates listed on this letter. The information provided is for educational purposes only and without bias.
WARD 1
Dan Daggett attended both Manchester High School and Manchester College, graduating in 1988 with a B.S. in Communications. Mr. Daggett was hired before he graduated by Lake City Radio and is beginning his 24th year. Mr. Daggett is currently the Sales Manager for the stations, overseeing a great group of marketing specialists. Mr. Daggett, his wife, Theresa and their two children have lived in Winona Lake for almost 7 years, after having lived in Warsaw previously. Running for Winona Lake town council is a way for Dan Daggett to give back to a community that has come to mean a great deal to him. There are wonderful growth opportunities for Winona Lake, including expansion of the Greenway project. Mr. Daggett sees great strength in the partnership between the town and Grace College, both financially and culturally. Moving forward, growing the town’s tax base in ways that make sense, along with being fiscally conservative will help Winona Lake attract new business and new citizens.
Phil Hood is a lifetime resident of Winona Lake. His grandfather served on the Winona Lake Town Council in the 1960’s. Mr. Hood graduated from Grace College with a double major in Business Administration and Information Technology. He is married to Cami (Carroll) and has four children. Mr. Hood is a Materials Planner for Medtronic and is involved in a committee that raises support and completes service projects for the communities. He sees great benefits to our town because of the partnerships between the town, Grace Schools and Village at Winona.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
WARD 2 (Grace Village is in this ward)
John Boal has served as the chief advancement officer at Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, since 1999. As CAO for the school, he is responsible for all campus fund-raising, alumni relations, and capital campaigns. An alumnus of the college, graduating in 1984, he majored in both business administration and business education. While a student at Grace College, Mr. Boal was inducted as a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities (1984) and received the Pete Maravich Memorial Award from the NCCAA (1984). In addition to a bachelor’s degree from Grace College, Mr. Boal holds a master’s of divinity degree from The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California (1992). He served on the Winona Lake Town Council (2003-2004). He is a member of Outstanding Young Men of America (1992), participated in the Kosciusko Leadership Academy (2001) and is listed in Biltmore’s Who’s Who (2008). Mr. Boal will graduate in May with a doctor of science degree in information systems and communications from Robert Morris University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He currently serves on the executive committee of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. (since 2004), Media Fellowship International (since 1996), Council for the Advancement of Education (since 1999) and is a member of the Independent Colleges of Indiana (since 1999). He served as the basketball coach for Jefferson Elementary, Winona Lake, Indiana from 2007 through 2008. John Boal resides in Winona Lake, Indiana with wife Lyn and their two children, Hannah and Jesse.
Terry Howie has lived and worked in the Town for 47 years. He was a Winona Lake police officer for 25 years, serving 5 as Town Marshal. Mr. Howie is a Grace College graduate and former 20-year Grace College employee. He is a small business owner of 39 years concurrent with public service. Mr. Howie is presently serving his 4th year on Town Council, two years as Council President. He established and participated on a negotiating team, obtaining a previously unachievable 15-year sewer contract with the City of Warsaw, resulting in a 19% sewer rate reduction to local residents. Mr. Howie voted “No” on the Fire Territory, saving an approximate increase of $400,000 in town tax levy. He is presently working to correct and repair Stonehenge Streets relative to drainage issues that have caused continued deterioration. Mr. Howie has supported the Village of Winona’s work, appreciating the presence and economic benefit of our valuable not-for-profits and what they each bring to the community. Mr. Howie values the importance of the wonderful God given natural resources available to residents, including the waters of Winona Lake and the Greenway Trails. He is fiscally conservative, has steady and balanced viewpoints and is an objective listener. Terry Howie is married to the former Lynn Paige (daughter of Grace Village resident Ruth Una Paige), is the father of 3 and grandfather of 5.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
WARD 3
Jerry Nelson has attended over six years of town council meetings, as an interested, concerned citizen. Appointed by the current Winona Lake Town Council to the Housing Authority Committee and Winona Lake Plan Commission, he believes his contributions have been recognized as a positive force for the citizens of Winona Lake. Retired from the hospital administration field, he has an educational background with degrees in law, business, and engineering. This broad experience field allows him to make intelligent, qualified decisions rather than those based on others’ suggestions. A summer visitor since 1968, Jerry, and his wife Jan, bought their own Winona Lake home in 1991.
Bruce Shaffner has been a town council member for the past eight months. He is President of Shaffner & Shaffner Enterprises Inc., doing business as the Ramada Wagon Wheel Theatre. Mr. Shaffner sees his role on the council is to make sure the Town of Winona Lake is run like a business with all the checks and balances in place. Bruce Shaffner has held a position on the county council’s appointee to the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
WARD 4
Sue Gooding has served on the Winona Lake town council since she was appointed at a special caucus in January 2008, she is currently the president. Ms. Gooding is co-owner of Pizza Supply of Indiana, Inc., a wholesale food distributor that currently serves customers in a four state area. Ms. Gooding is the CEO, and has been with the company since 1983. Sue Gooding is a member of the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Female Executives. Ms. Gooding has served on the Business Outreach Committee for the Chamber since 2006. Ms. Gooding has lived in Stone Camp since 2005 and lived in Country Garden Estates for seven years prior. Ms Gooding has a Bachelors Degree in Communication from Purdue University and a Certificate in Executive Management from the University of Notre Dame. Sue Gooding is 48 years old and has two daughters, Gabriella age 19, a freshman in college, and Alexis, age 14 currently in the 8th grade.
Greg Winn moved to Winona Lake when he was 4 years old. As a Jefferson Elementary student he delivered the Times Union in Winona. In 2004 Mr. Winn graduated with an engineering degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, and after college worked as a Process Engineer for Zimmer. Mr. Winn moved to Colorado and worked as an Industrial Engineer for Intel. While living in Colorado Mr. Winn met his wife, Lena. In 2007 Mr. Winn moved back to Winona Lake to work for his parents’ pharmacy, Pill Box. In 2008 Mr. Winn was appointed to the Board of Directors of the pharmacy cooperative. In 2009 he was re-elected to the Board of Directors as Board President. During his presidency the cooperative has grown from 150 to 280+ independent pharmacies. This spring Mr. Winn and his wife, Lena will be celebrating his 30th birthday and their 3rd wedding anniversary.
If elected to Town Council, Greg Winn will look forward to utilizing his knowledge of our community and being a point of contact for the people of Winona.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
WARD 5
Ron Shavers has been involved with the Kosciusko County Democrat Party and is currently the chairman. Mr. Shavers supports law enforcement and would like to participate in helping the Town of Winona Lake continue to find ways to generate revenues, seek ways to improve services and seek ways to fund improvements and reconstruction of streets, lighting, sewers, storm drainage, curbs and sidewalks.
Randy Swanson is a 65 year resident of the Winona Lake/Warsaw area. He has a degree from Manchester College, is the co-founder/owner of SYM Financial Corporation and currently an agent with Silveus Insurance Group for 10 years. Mr. Swanson has been married for 43 year to Barbara; they have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. He is a 30-year member of Pleasant View Bible Church.
Mr. Swanson is extremely concerned about the overspending of taxpayer money in public projects; he feels projects and cost estimates bear close scrutiny. Although Winona Lake is blessed with a high number of non-profits, Mr. Swanson seeks balance making the town “business friendly” in order to optimize private sector business expansion. Mr. Swanson has served the Council since 2009. He has had a more hands-on participation in financial budgeting and cost controlling functions as a result of open discussions and greater accountability. The current Council has reduced waste water treatment monthly rates nearly 20%, voted twice to reduce or eliminate wage increases that would escalate given salaries above a level available to the private sector or comparable communities. Mr. Swanson feels that lower tax rates are a guiding principle in spending public tax dollars. Randy Swanson looks forward to continuing to build a smaller yet more effective municipal government, making Winona Lake a better place to live, work and play.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
CLERK-TREASURER
Kent Adams has served 16 years as a member of the Indiana General Assembly, during which time he served on the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees. Mr. Adams served four years as Kosciusko County treasurer and 18 years as chief financial officer in area school corporations, including Goshen, Mishawaka and Warsaw. Mr. Adams is presently serving as a member of the Warsaw Community School Board of Trustees. Mr. Adams is familiar working with large budgets, studying the issues and listening to all parties. Kent Adams and his wife, Nancy has been married 52 years. They have five grown children and 18 grandchildren.
Retha Hicks has been the current clerk-treasurer for 18 years. Since taking office, she instituted cost center analysis; established a fixed assets program; implemented electronic accounting; established a capital budget; and planned an investment program for the Town. She is active in training other clerk-treasurers across the state.
Meet the Winona Lake, Indiana, Town Council Candidates
April 2011
Each candidate was personally invited to attend the “Meet the Candidates Night” Monday, April 18th at 6pm. Each candidate was asked to submit their own bio’s for distribution. Grace Village is not responsible in representing any of the candidates listed on this letter. The information provided is for educational purposes only and without bias.
WARD 1
Dan Daggett attended both Manchester High School and Manchester College, graduating in 1988 with a B.S. in Communications. Mr. Daggett was hired before he graduated by Lake City Radio and is beginning his 24th year. Mr. Daggett is currently the Sales Manager for the stations, overseeing a great group of marketing specialists. Mr. Daggett, his wife, Theresa and their two children have lived in Winona Lake for almost 7 years, after having lived in Warsaw previously. Running for Winona Lake town council is a way for Dan Daggett to give back to a community that has come to mean a great deal to him. There are wonderful growth opportunities for Winona Lake, including expansion of the Greenway project. Mr. Daggett sees great strength in the partnership between the town and Grace College, both financially and culturally. Moving forward, growing the town’s tax base in ways that make sense, along with being fiscally conservative will help Winona Lake attract new business and new citizens.
Phil Hood is a lifetime resident of Winona Lake. His grandfather served on the Winona Lake Town Council in the 1960’s. Mr. Hood graduated from Grace College with a double major in Business Administration and Information Technology. He is married to Cami (Carroll) and has four children. Mr. Hood is a Materials Planner for Medtronic and is involved in a committee that raises support and completes service projects for the communities. He sees great benefits to our town because of the partnerships between the town, Grace Schools and Village at Winona.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
WARD 2 (Grace Village is in this ward)
John Boal has served as the chief advancement officer at Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, since 1999. As CAO for the school, he is responsible for all campus fund-raising, alumni relations, and capital campaigns. An alumnus of the college, graduating in 1984, he majored in both business administration and business education. While a student at Grace College, Mr. Boal was inducted as a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities (1984) and received the Pete Maravich Memorial Award from the NCCAA (1984). In addition to a bachelor’s degree from Grace College, Mr. Boal holds a master’s of divinity degree from The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California (1992). He served on the Winona Lake Town Council (2003-2004). He is a member of Outstanding Young Men of America (1992), participated in the Kosciusko Leadership Academy (2001) and is listed in Biltmore’s Who’s Who (2008). Mr. Boal will graduate in May with a doctor of science degree in information systems and communications from Robert Morris University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He currently serves on the executive committee of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. (since 2004), Media Fellowship International (since 1996), Council for the Advancement of Education (since 1999) and is a member of the Independent Colleges of Indiana (since 1999). He served as the basketball coach for Jefferson Elementary, Winona Lake, Indiana from 2007 through 2008. John Boal resides in Winona Lake, Indiana with wife Lyn and their two children, Hannah and Jesse.
Terry Howie has lived and worked in the Town for 47 years. He was a Winona Lake police officer for 25 years, serving 5 as Town Marshal. Mr. Howie is a Grace College graduate and former 20-year Grace College employee. He is a small business owner of 39 years concurrent with public service. Mr. Howie is presently serving his 4th year on Town Council, two years as Council President. He established and participated on a negotiating team, obtaining a previously unachievable 15-year sewer contract with the City of Warsaw, resulting in a 19% sewer rate reduction to local residents. Mr. Howie voted “No” on the Fire Territory, saving an approximate increase of $400,000 in town tax levy. He is presently working to correct and repair Stonehenge Streets relative to drainage issues that have caused continued deterioration. Mr. Howie has supported the Village of Winona’s work, appreciating the presence and economic benefit of our valuable not-for-profits and what they each bring to the community. Mr. Howie values the importance of the wonderful God given natural resources available to residents, including the waters of Winona Lake and the Greenway Trails. He is fiscally conservative, has steady and balanced viewpoints and is an objective listener. Terry Howie is married to the former Lynn Paige (daughter of Grace Village resident Ruth Una Paige), is the father of 3 and grandfather of 5.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
WARD 3
Jerry Nelson has attended over six years of town council meetings, as an interested, concerned citizen. Appointed by the current Winona Lake Town Council to the Housing Authority Committee and Winona Lake Plan Commission, he believes his contributions have been recognized as a positive force for the citizens of Winona Lake. Retired from the hospital administration field, he has an educational background with degrees in law, business, and engineering. This broad experience field allows him to make intelligent, qualified decisions rather than those based on others’ suggestions. A summer visitor since 1968, Jerry, and his wife Jan, bought their own Winona Lake home in 1991.
Bruce Shaffner has been a town council member for the past eight months. He is President of Shaffner & Shaffner Enterprises Inc., doing business as the Ramada Wagon Wheel Theatre. Mr. Shaffner sees his role on the council is to make sure the Town of Winona Lake is run like a business with all the checks and balances in place. Bruce Shaffner has held a position on the county council’s appointee to the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
WARD 4
Sue Gooding has served on the Winona Lake town council since she was appointed at a special caucus in January 2008, she is currently the president. Ms. Gooding is co-owner of Pizza Supply of Indiana, Inc., a wholesale food distributor that currently serves customers in a four state area. Ms. Gooding is the CEO, and has been with the company since 1983. Sue Gooding is a member of the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Female Executives. Ms. Gooding has served on the Business Outreach Committee for the Chamber since 2006. Ms. Gooding has lived in Stone Camp since 2005 and lived in Country Garden Estates for seven years prior. Ms Gooding has a Bachelors Degree in Communication from Purdue University and a Certificate in Executive Management from the University of Notre Dame. Sue Gooding is 48 years old and has two daughters, Gabriella age 19, a freshman in college, and Alexis, age 14 currently in the 8th grade.
Greg Winn moved to Winona Lake when he was 4 years old. As a Jefferson Elementary student he delivered the Times Union in Winona. In 2004 Mr. Winn graduated with an engineering degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, and after college worked as a Process Engineer for Zimmer. Mr. Winn moved to Colorado and worked as an Industrial Engineer for Intel. While living in Colorado Mr. Winn met his wife, Lena. In 2007 Mr. Winn moved back to Winona Lake to work for his parents’ pharmacy, Pill Box. In 2008 Mr. Winn was appointed to the Board of Directors of the pharmacy cooperative. In 2009 he was re-elected to the Board of Directors as Board President. During his presidency the cooperative has grown from 150 to 280+ independent pharmacies. This spring Mr. Winn and his wife, Lena will be celebrating his 30th birthday and their 3rd wedding anniversary.
If elected to Town Council, Greg Winn will look forward to utilizing his knowledge of our community and being a point of contact for the people of Winona.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
WARD 5
Ron Shavers has been involved with the Kosciusko County Democrat Party and is currently the chairman. Mr. Shavers supports law enforcement and would like to participate in helping the Town of Winona Lake continue to find ways to generate revenues, seek ways to improve services and seek ways to fund improvements and reconstruction of streets, lighting, sewers, storm drainage, curbs and sidewalks.
Randy Swanson is a 65 year resident of the Winona Lake/Warsaw area. He has a degree from Manchester College, is the co-founder/owner of SYM Financial Corporation and currently an agent with Silveus Insurance Group for 10 years. Mr. Swanson has been married for 43 year to Barbara; they have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. He is a 30-year member of Pleasant View Bible Church.
Mr. Swanson is extremely concerned about the overspending of taxpayer money in public projects; he feels projects and cost estimates bear close scrutiny. Although Winona Lake is blessed with a high number of non-profits, Mr. Swanson seeks balance making the town “business friendly” in order to optimize private sector business expansion. Mr. Swanson has served the Council since 2009. He has had a more hands-on participation in financial budgeting and cost controlling functions as a result of open discussions and greater accountability. The current Council has reduced waste water treatment monthly rates nearly 20%, voted twice to reduce or eliminate wage increases that would escalate given salaries above a level available to the private sector or comparable communities. Mr. Swanson feels that lower tax rates are a guiding principle in spending public tax dollars. Randy Swanson looks forward to continuing to build a smaller yet more effective municipal government, making Winona Lake a better place to live, work and play.
Winona Lake Town Council Candidates
CLERK-TREASURER
Kent Adams has served 16 years as a member of the Indiana General Assembly, during which time he served on the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees. Mr. Adams served four years as Kosciusko County treasurer and 18 years as chief financial officer in area school corporations, including Goshen, Mishawaka and Warsaw. Mr. Adams is presently serving as a member of the Warsaw Community School Board of Trustees. Mr. Adams is familiar working with large budgets, studying the issues and listening to all parties. Kent Adams and his wife, Nancy has been married 52 years. They have five grown children and 18 grandchildren.
Retha Hicks has been the current clerk-treasurer for 18 years. Since taking office, she instituted cost center analysis; established a fixed assets program; implemented electronic accounting; established a capital budget; and planned an investment program for the Town. She is active in training other clerk-treasurers across the state.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)