Giving back to the community, attitude of service and wanting to represent the average man were among reasons seven individuals gave Thursday evening at the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Meet the Candidates event. The seven are seeking the two Warsaw City Council at-large seats.

Approximately 90 minutes was dedicated to the candidates answering questions. TIme was allotted prior to and following the forum to speak with candidates. Also present were Dr. David Hoffert, Warsaw Community Schools superintendent, and several board members to answer any questions regarding the local referendum question on the ballot.

Also present were five of the six uncontested candidates for city offices.

Contested candidates provided the 30 in attendance with information about themselves, which coincided with one of the questions asked regarding their qualities.

Contested candidates for for city council at-large included Cindy Dobbins, Connie Fribley, Patrick Loebs, Justin Risner, Juergen Voss, Jack Wilhite and Dave Baumgartner. Baumgartner is the lone Democrat in the primary but will be facing two of the Republican candidates in the general election.

City Council Candidates

Questions for city council candidates included: What are the most important issues the city council should be addressing; their qualities for the position; in considering new regulations how will you balance rights of individuals with the good of the community; and adding quality of life enhancements to the community and to pay for the improvements.

Loebs noted the most important issue is the path the city will take. He noted the city has multinational companies. “Decisions need to be made are we going to do what we can to encourage those businesses to stay and draw other ones in or are we going to hold on to the Warsaw that did exist.”

Fribley noted all the issues before the council now, for her looking at the economic growth and keep it growing. “Very important for the city of Warsaw to maintain their re-investment ratings … able to fund the projects that are on the slate and fund that economic growth.

Voss agreed it is growth. “Where are we growing. The city council has a lot of power to direct the growth of the city. But it’s not just the growth, it’s the direction that we take that growth into.” He noted Warsaw will change, it cannot go back to the 1970s.

“The most important thing addressing the council is the economy of Warsaw,” stated Wilhite. “There are things the city can do to help bring in jobs,” he stated referring to the pending merger of Biomet and Zimmer and many in fear for their jobs. “Government does not make jobs … the city can do things to bring that will bring, attract these businesses in.” He also referred to the Buffalo Street and Market Street projects.

Dobbins noted the city has relied on the orthopedic industry “but we can’t put all our eggs in one basket. We need to branch out.” She referenced some businesses that have gone away, but with the Certified Technology Park, she sees it will provide opportunities for companies wanting to step into the area. “We need to nurture some of our small businesses, we have some nice retail businesses downtown.”

“One of the most important issues for me was the mayor’s comprehensive plan for the stable growth of Warsaw the next 20 years,” said Risner. “… the forced change is one of the biggest issues. I think people are moving here because they are attracted to what Warsaw has to offer. Instead of spending money on big growth let’s spend the money fixing, preserving and serving what already makes Warsaw a great community.”

Infrastructure was the important issue for Baumgartner. “All the growth and change that we do want to see happen will be based on that infrastructure .. very important we become educated as much as we possibly can on what are the trends.” He also noted it is important going to people in the now to learn what the best possible solutions to follow to help the city grow.

Many of the candidates agreed it was important to listen to constituents and do what would help the majority, knowing some would be hurt. “Representing the residents equally and fairly,” stated Voss. Wilhite noted in balancing rights of individuals it is to “err on the side of freedom,” adding some individuals want to be regulated more than others. “It’s important to listen to the community and people within the community,” he stated.

Other candidates agreed. Loebs added “default to the liberty of the people,” doing what is good and not infringe on their civic rights. He also encouraged dialogue. Fribley favored talking to residents to find out what the vast majority want. “It’s hard when someone is impacted negatively when it benefits the majority.”

Dobbins noted the importance of town hall meetings to hear all sides and to act in the best interest of the majority. “You cannot satisfy everyone,” she said, but it is important to not do any harm.

Risner stated there is a need to have people to uphold the individual rights of citizens in the community.