Forum shines light on candidates and their positions

By: Sarah Kraus

WINONA LAKE, Ind.--Monday night, a candidates forum was held for those running in the May 3 election for city office. Over 67 people, in addition to the candidates, were in attendance. The candidates were given a chance to speak about why he or she would be best for the position. While the candidates agreed on many topics, there were several differences on how they would be viewed or how the issues would be dealt with.

The candidates views and positions on Winona Lake receiving a three-way liquor license, Winona Lake Town Council's role in attracting businesses, and the role of not-for-profit organizations in the community were discussed, among other issues.

Retha Hicks, Winona Lake's current clerk-treasurer, is returning to run for office again. She said that her greatest strength is the level of commitment she puts into her job. When she gets involved, she doesn't give up and completes the job in a timely manner.

Her opponent, Kent Adams, believes that he has a lot of experience that will help him succeed. He has been a member of the Indiana General Assembly, has been the Kosciusko County treasurer for four years, and served as a member of the Warsaw Community School Board of Trustees. He has also had experience in handling large budgets and enjoys listening to the concerns of all involved parties.

Dan Daggett and Philip Hood, both running for ward 1, have different ideas of why each of them would be good for the job. Daggett, who has never run for a political office in the past, hopes to bring “new insight, different ideas, and a different point of view” to the position. He also believes his life experience—handling cash flow, a multimillion budget, and being a team leader—will help greatly.

Hood believes that he has the ability to adapt easily and be a team player. He is passionate about making Winona Lake a good, safe place for his four children and others to grow up in.

Terry Howie and John Boal are the opposing candidates for ward 2. Howie, the incumbent for ward 2, would like to get to know the community well, as its representative, and isn't afraid to “get down and dirty” whenever needed. Boal stressed the importance of envisioning the future and working to make that vision become a reality by making decisions in a timely manner.

The opposing candidates for ward 3, Bruce Shaffner and Jerry Nelson, differ in their ideals as well. Shaffner has had previous work experience in business, as the president of the Ramada Wagon Wheel Theater. He would like to nurture relationships with the people and businesses in the community. He believes firmly that “spending cannot exceed income.”

Nelson has been involved with the Town Council for many years, although only as a spectator. He has been to more than six years of meetings as an interested citizen. Consequently, he believes that although partnering with organizations such as Grace Village and Grace College is important, listening to the taxpayers—the citizens themselves—is what is most important.

Sue Gooding, the current council president, and Greg Winn, opposing candidates for ward 4, discussed their positions while joking about the differences in their ages and experience. Gooding has 28 years in business experience, which exceeds Winn's by decades. Nevertheless, Winn is passionate about improvement, time management, fixing problems, and enabling others.

Randy Swanson is running for ward 5 unopposed. He has served previously on the Town Council, and has seen the monthly costs of waste water treatment lowered by 20 percent. He believes in low tax rates.

When asked about their positions on a impending, possible three-way liquor license for the restaurants in Winona Lake—an issue that has brought much controversy—Nelson, Shaffner, Winn, Gooding, and Howie agreed that they would want the community's input.

Nelson suggested public meetings should be held about the subject. Shaffner mentioned the difference between liquor in restaurants and in bars—he leaned toward allowing the license, but still wanted community involvement in the decision. Winn talked about how Winona Lake already has a two-way liquor license, so it wouldn't be much different to have a three-way license. He said he would most likely vote yes, but would still want input from the community. Gooding and Howie both agreed that they would vote whichever way the community wished, and Howie suggested taking a poll of the citizens on the issue.

Swanson, Hood, and Daggett agreed that because of the good standing of the restaurants in question, and because of the extra business it could bring, they would vote yes for the license.
Boal said that he would need to “take things in balance” and think through everything before making a decision.

When discussing the Town Council's role in attracting other businesses, Winn, Daggett, Hood, Howie, Boal, Shaffner, and Nelson all agreed that it would be more important to foster and work with existing businesses before trying to attract new ones.

Gooding mentioned that Winona Lake would need a place to put new businesses. Swanson said that Winona Lake should be “business friendly, but not to the point [of having] a carry out or bar” in town.

All of the candidates believe that the not-for-profit businesses in Winona Lake should not be required to contribute financially to the community, because they have already helped the community in many ways by enhancing the culture of the area and bringing many visitors to town who spend money elsewhere. Even so, Winn commented that it would be helpful for the not-for-profit businesses to educate the public about what benefits they are bringing to the town, in order to avoid confusion.

During the closing remarks, many of the candidates stressed that the community is responsible for electing its officials—and it is its job to go vote on May 3.