Pictured at the City of Warsaw Police Department are KLA Cadet Tiffany Kreider, DePuy Synthes; Brad Tandy, Kosciusko County Council; City of Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer; District 22 State Representative Curt Nisly; and KLA Cadets Heidi Miller, Grace College and Chris Koldyke, Zimmer Biomet

By JONI TRUEX
KLA Public Information Director

Kosciusko Leadership Academy met at the city of Warsaw Police Department to learn about local and state government in Kosciusko County.

Mayor Joe Thallemer, city of Warsaw, addressed the cadets and spoke about leadership. The community lost four men who truly exemplified leadership recently. The qualities of leadership include the willingness and ability to respond when things happen. Other qualities are the willingness to give back, willingness to listen, no personal agenda, preparation, keeping an open mind, consideration of both sides of an issue, offering support, loyalty, and making the best decision for the community or organization.

The mayor went on to state there are several issues facing the city including transportation workforce, and the need for continued funding for the bike trails.

Kosciusko County Councilman Brad Tandy stated a few of the areas of responsibility held by Kosciusko County including the jail, the judicial system, road, sheriffs department, judges, assessors, taxes, coroner, clerk, health department, trustees, animal control. Other responsibilities include area plan, taxing issues, county option income tax, economic development tax, and wheel tax. Councilman Tandy also discussed the changes in the judicial system and the effect on Kosciusko County.

District 22 Representative Curt Nisly shared he represents 65,000 people to the state. “The best government is that which is closest to the people” stated Nisly. Also discussed were the topics of roads, unemployment rate, growth in population, and how representative districts are determined.

The next KLA session will focus on social services on Oct. 20, at the K-21 Health Care Foundation. KLA Alumni are welcome to attend.

KLA is a not for profit organization devoted to serving Kosciusko County by encouraging leaders and future leaders to dream and create a better community through white paper projects.