By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — Two men are seeking to fill the Winona Lake Town Council seat held by the late Jim Zachary.

Early afternoon Tuesday, Sept. 14, marked the deadline for GOP candidates to file to take Zachary’s Ward 1 position.

Zachary passed away unexpectedly at age 39 on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Kosciusko Community Hospital.

Austin Reynolds and David Phelps were the only two to file by Tuesday’s deadline, Kosciusko County GOP Chair Mike Ragan confirmed to InkFreeNews. Kosciusko County GOP precinct committeemen from four precincts will decide during a caucus at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, at Winona Lake Town Hall who gets the position.

“I think that Winona Lake is going to be well-represented regardless of who is elected,” said Ragan.

“It’s very sad about Jim Zachary,” added Ragan. “He was a good guy, he was a good councilman and a good friend of mine and he’ll be missed.”