Candidate Forum Planned Tuesday

BY TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer

The county’s Young Republican organization is sponsoring a candidate forum Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Westminster Hall, Winona Lake.

The evening features a question and answer session between Warsaw mayoral candidates – incumbent Ernie Wiggins and challenger Craig Allebach.

“The Young Republicans felt it was important to host a public event where all candidates in the county had an opportunity to be introduced and address issues in their districts and community,” said Young Republican’s vice chairman Mark Sherer.

Other office seekers on the municipal primary ballot, in Warsaw, Winona Lake and Syracuse, will be introduced. Aspirants in challenged races will be given an opportunity to state their positions.

In addition to the mayor’s race, Warsaw council seats in Districts 4 and 5 as well as at-large face opposition. In Syracuse, the fourth and fifth district council incumbents faces opposition along with the councilman of Winona Lake’s District three.

City council candidates are:

(* Denotes incumbents)

District 1: Jeff R. Grose*, 1801 E. Clark St.

District 2: Charles “Charlie” D. Smith*, 1902 North Bay Drive.

District 3: George M. Clemens*, 1211 Country Club Lane.

District 4: Gerald W. Patterson*, 616 N. Lake St., and Tammy Rockey, 724 W. Market St.

District 5: Steven R. Brown, 1089 N. Detroit St., Alan Clingan, 927 E. Main St., William S. Rhoades*, 2144 Bluewater Drive; Carl Sowers, 812 E. Fort Wayne St.; and Bruce Woodward, 1515 E. Main St.

At-Large: Letrecia M. Brown*, 316 S. High St.; Dewey L. Lawshe, 1210 E. Center St.; Bob Morrison, 608 N. Lincoln St.; and Joseph M. Thallemer*, 816 Lydia Drive.

Incumbent Madeline E. Call, 203 Sandpoint Drive, is running unopposed for the Warsaw clerk-treasurer’s office, as is current clerk-treasurer of Winona Lake, Retha Hicks, 105 Third St.

Candidates for Winona Lake’s town council posts are:

District 1: Craig T. Snow*, 202 Fifth St.

District 2: Jerry L. Clevenger*, 1706 St. Andrews Road.

District 3: James F. LeMasters, 202 Esplanade, and Roland “Rolly’ Ortega*, 705 Terrace Drive.

District 4: David R. Delp*, 12 Stone Camp Trail.

District 5: Jeffry A. Carroll*, 2505 Orchard Drive.

In Syracuse, Julie A. Kline, 610 E. Wawonaissa Drive, has filed for the clerk-treasurer’s office. The present clerk, Elgie Tatman, is not seeking re-election.

In Syracuse, Carol Koble, 7003 E. Medusa St., representing Distirct 3 is unopposed.

Candidates for District 4 are: Barbara J. Carwile,* 605 W. Brooklyn St., and Brian Woody, 60 North St. Candidates for District 5 are Brian Antonides, 310 W. Valleyview Drive, and William F. Hane,* 823 S. Lakeside Drive, District 5.

All the candidates are members of the Republican political party. Challengers from the Democratic Party have until July 3 to fill vacancies on the ballot.

In addition to Sherer, Young Republican officers are Mike Harstine, chairman; Joy Loshe and Stephanie Noffsinger.