Warsaw city councilman Jeff Grose, far left, filed his candidacy Thursday afternoon, Jan. 12, to run for Warsaw mayor. He was joined by his wife Rachel, left, campaign chair Dr. Steve Hollar and campaign treasurer George Clemens. Photo provided.

By Blair Baumgartner
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Jeff Grose grew up on the 1200 block of Main Street in Warsaw. As a young child, he always really enjoyed school. Grose said, “I had the best school on the planet and that was my mom and dad.”

Grose’s parents always encouraged him to be kind and do his absolute best. He lost his mom to cancer in 2012. “My dad is still living in the district I represent. They had a huge impact on me. I always enjoyed sports. My dad said that if you give Jeff any kind of ball, he’ll figure it out,” said Grose.

“I excelled in basketball because I had great teammates. They were the basketball players. I was just the kid who could shoot. Without those guys, we wouldn’t have gone anywhere. The 40-year anniversary of our 1984 state championship basketball team is coming up here soon,” he said.

Grose was named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball in 1985.

“Coach Al Rhodes had a lasting impact on me. He was a great mentor and role model for me. He was a great example for all of us,” he said.

“At the time, I realized there might be an opportunity for me to go to college and that wasn’t something in the history books of our family. Indiana coach Bob Knight didn’t feel like I would play as much because of their guards.

“Northwestern was interested in me as a ninth and 10th grader. Michigan State also offered me. I got in there (Northwestern) on my jump shot, not my brains,” he said, laughing.

“We struggled as a team, but if I had to do it over again, I would. I got to play a lot and really enjoyed it.”

As a child, he wanted to be a teacher. After graduating from Northwestern in 1989, Grose taught at Elkhart Memorial for eight years. He was hired as a history and government teacher at Warsaw Community High School in 1996. He has also taught political science at Grace College. He has been teaching for 34 years.

“I firmly believe I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for great teachers and coaches. This has been an excellent career for me,” said Grose.

“I married a good friend of mine, Rachel Jeffreys. We were married right out of college and we have four children. Three are adults and our youngest is a senior at Lakeland Christian Academy. My wife teaches at Lincoln Elementary. She’s been teaching for about 15 years,” he said.

Grose’s oldest son Lucas was the starting center on the 2010 Warsaw state runner-up basketball team. He played basketball at Hillsdale College and married an All-American volleyball player from Hillsdale. They just had a baby girl on March 29. “I’m now a grandpa,” said Grose.

Grose decided to run for the Common Council of the City of Warsaw in 1999, serving District 1.“I am now working through my 24th year on the Common Council. It’s been an absolute privilege. As a teacher who teaches government, I’ve learned so much. I represent the same neighborhood I grew up in,” he said.

“I didn’t see it 35-40 years ago, but here I am. My dad said if you pick up a mop or broom, be the best person at it. I received a lot of help from former mayor Ernie Wiggins the first 12 years I was on the council. He was never afraid to be brutally honest with me.”

Grose also mentioned he has learned a great deal from current Warsaw mayor Dr. Joseph Thallemer.

Grose wasn’t sure what mayor Thallemer was going to do four years ago after he finished his second term. “I wasn’t going to run against him. I love teaching. If mayor Thallemer didn’t run again, I figured I would run.

“I want to continue to serve, but in a different way. My wife Rachel has told me I’ve really been energized after Dr. Thallemer said he isn’t going to run. I was surprised that another Republican didn’t challenge me,” said Grose.

“We’ll see how things progress through this summer and into November. It’s a major life change. I can’t wait to learn more. I’m looking forward to the education and the decisions I’ll make for the community and have a strong desire to serve the community,” he said.

Grose described Dr. Steve Hollar as being “a lamppost in my life.” “We’ve been friends since childhood. It’s a precious priceless gift to have friends like that since childhood and it’s rare. George Clemens has also always been involved both publicly and privately. Both Steve and George will continue to help.

“I’ve caught myself more and more looking back at all of the events that have gotten me to where I am today. I’m just so appreciative. People have trusted me to be a teacher. And now, I am hoping to step into the mayor’s office.

“Here I am at age 56; I really want to serve as mayor. Of all the streets to be born and raised on — Main Street. I want to have the opportunity to give back in a different way,” said Grose.