By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

Don McCune

WARSAW — Don McCune is the fourth person to declare his candidacy for the vacancy for the Kosciusko County Council District 1 seat.

McCune joins Kimberly Cates, William Dixon and Frank Rhoades in seeking the vacancy to replace Doug Heinisch, who resigned May 18. Heinisch’s resignation was due to his work schedule.

A caucus of Republican precinct committee in that district will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, June 7, in the Syracuse Town Hall, 310 N. Huntington St.

Eligible candidates have until 6 p.m. Friday, June 4, to file a declaration of candidacy with the Kosciusko County Clerk of the Courts. Eligible candidates must reside in Kosciusko County Council District 1, be a Republican in good standing and not have a felony in their past. The district includes all of Turkey Creek and Tippecanoe townships, eastern part of Plain Township and a majority of the northern half of Washington Township.

McCune, a retired Kosciusko County Sheriff’s deputy, resides at Chapman Lake, just inside the district. He has been involved in county government for 27 years and wants to stay involved. “I want to bring in newer blood,” he stated, adding he wants to see the county spend money wisely.

McCune noted the money the county is required to give needs to be done in a frugal manner. “If the county needs to do it, they need to justify it,” said McCune. He pointed out he has lived his whole life in a manner to retire at the age of 52. “I lived within my means. The government needs to do the same.

“If county entities want money from the government I want them to come with ideas how to pay for it and what they will cut. I live the same way.”

Additionally, he noted the need to get younger people involved. “At 50, I have experience working with government and figuring how to do something with nothing. I’m at a stage where I can pass on the knowledge to benefit the county.”

Why Dixon Is Running

Dixon, a Syracuse native, stated his reason for seeking the county council seat is the same as when he sought the State Representative District 22 seat — the need for a representative who sees the needs in the district are different than some of the other districts in the county.

The district is “not home to the county seat,” said Dixon, noting expenditures made for the county seat are not necessarily good for the rest of the county.

“We need someone to watch and make sure the council is not the arm of the city of Warsaw,” said Dixon. He said it is the county taxpayers paying the bill and there is a need to make sure the funds are being spent for the good or serve to “benefit everyone in the county.”

“Once in a decade, something comes up where an offer or request is made that is good for those who live in an individual part of the county, but not good for those who live outside (that area). We need to look out (for things) all the time. You don’t know when that once in a decade will come.

“We need to be constantly vigilant. It is done infrequently,” he said. “It’s an issue of vigilance and you have to be there, every meeting.”

Precinct committeemen eligible to vote at the caucus include Mike Wilson, Plain 1; Tyler Huffer, Plain 4; Dan Thystrup, Tippecanoe 1; Mark Grady, Tippecanoe 2; Sue Ann Mitchell, Tippecanoe 3; Jim Smith, Tippecanoe 4; J.D. Ayres, Turkey Creek 1; Kimberly Cates, Turkey Creek 2; Turkey Creek 3 was recently vacated; Virginia Cazier, Turkey Creek 4; Karen Grady, Turkey Creek 5; Randy Girod, Turkey Creek 6; Frank Rhoades, Washington 1; and Tom Pletcher, Washington 2.