Lifetime resident of Kosciusko County
Tippecanoe Valley High School Graduate- 1986
U.S. Army Reserves 1987- 1992
Kosciusko County Sheriff's Deputy - 25 years (Retired in 2019)
Working for YOU, the people of Kosciusko County
Being a VOICE for positive change
Working TOGETHER with other community leaders and organizations for a better tomorrow.
I, Donald K. Wiesehan Jr. am a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County and a 1986 graduate of Tippecanoe Valley High School. After high school I joined the U.S Army Reserve from 1987 to 1992. I allowed my contract with the reservist to expire and received an honorable discharge before taking a position as a police officer for the Winona Lake Police Department.
In 1995, I joined the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office before retiring in 2019, after 25 years of service. While with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office I was a Lieutenant in the patrol division. From 2012 to 2017 I served as the Jail Commander. Part of my duties were operating budgets and providing reports for the County Council, County Commissioners and judges. After retirement from the Sheriff’s Office, I accepted a position with Parkview Police in Fort Wayne.
I have been involved in many different things throughout Kosciusko County. I coached football and track for Tippecanoe Valley School along with Little League Baseball at Mentone. I have served as a volunteer fireman for the Winona Lake Fire Department and also a past president of the Kosciusko County Fair Board.
I am a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, Masonic Lodge, Mizpah Shrine Club, and the Horse & Pony Committee of Kosciusko County.
My wife Ann and I live outside of Mentone and have been married for 31 years. We have two grown children, Zachary and Dusty, and a grandchild Hadley, with another grandchild expected in March. We also attend Redeemer Lutheran Church in Warsaw.
Here is the link to the Candidate Forum that was put on by the Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce. The County Commissioner Forum begins at the 39 minute mark. Thank you again for all of your continued support!
“Right Time, Right Choice”
Photo credit David Slone, Times-Union
Thankfully while serving 25 years within the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department I was able to develop a working relationship with several divisions of the county government such as County Highway, Prosecutor's Office, Probation Department, Clerks Office, Community Corrections, Human Resources, Jail Division, and the Patrol Division.
To help continue these working relationships, I plan on doing routine walk throughs of County Departments after our biweekly Commissioner's meetings to help be more visible and be able to speak with employees directly.
Continuing these relationships will keep our county moving forward in a positive direction along with helping produce a better knowledge, transparency, and understanding of their needs and goals to complete all of our responsibilities to the best of our abilities.
Thank you for your continued support.
"Right Time, Right Choice"
I do not believe in lifetime politicians in the same positions, even at the local government level. When elected, I will serve no more than two terms as County Commissioner. I believe this will prevent officials from becoming regressive and the status quo in the routine of their responsibilities, while keeping a fresh insight and perspective.
"Right Time, Right Choice"
We had a great turn out at the spring GOP fish fry. I enjoyed talking with everyone, if I didn't get to speak with you I hope we get to talk in the future. Don't forget early voting is going on now and the primary election day is May 3rd.
"Right Time, Right Choice"
Dear Editor,
I first met Don Wiesehan back in 1992 when he joined the Winona Lake Fire Department as a volunteer fireman.
His service to the department was one of dedication, integrity and leadership. It is with great pleasure and honor that I give my full political support behind Don Wiesehan for county commissioner.
Don’s tireless involvement in our community shows that he is a man of service and dedication. As an experienced public servant, he has the wisdom and insight to make the right decisions in order to promote positive change and growth within our community. I, for one, cannot think of anyone more suited for this job.
The primary is just around the corner, and you deserve a say in who is elected.
If you are ready for someone that will promote positive change and be a voice for all of Kosciusko County, then join me in voting Don Wiesehan for county commissioner on May 3!
Roger Gelbaugh
Winona Lake, IN
Dear Editor,
We hear a lot of negative things about lifetime politicians at the national and state levels, but what about our local government? Local government affects our lives as well. I believe at the local level there are a couple of elections that can help our county for years to come and one of those elections is for Kosciusko County Commissioner, Southern District.
I have never been one to be involved in politics, but this current election is different. Why would we want to continue electing the same individuals for every single election just because of the name recognition?
Kosciusko County has three Commissioners, one from the Northern District, Central District and Southern District. No matter what district the candidate resides in, all commissioners are elected by the majority vote of the entire county. This is why on May 3rd, we as the citizens of Kosciusko County, should all vote Donald Wiesehan for County Commissioner, Southern District.
All citizens want an elected official to have the public’s best interest in mind and not someone who just goes with the flow and votes with the majority. When it’s time, we want to elect someone who will stand up for the betterment of our community. Don supports term limits and believes it is healthy for the community to see changes in representation at elected positions to allow for fresh insights and perspectives. Having term limits could prevent officials from becoming regressive and having mundane routines of their responsibilities.
Don is one of the truest leaders I know, and I cannot think of a better person to serve our community. He leads by example and possesses such integrity and honesty; I find it difficult to describe. Don will bring clear eyes and will have our community at heart when making decisions.
He believes in bringing better transparency to the commissioner position by having more community involvement in the monthly meetings as well as more of a presence within the departments currently overseen by the county.
He is a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County and has served within our community in many different aspects. He served in the military, as a volunteer fireman, as a police officer, as a football and track coach at Tippecanoe Valley High School, as past president of the fair board, as a member of the Masonic Lodge, and in the Mizpah Shrine Club. His public service doesn’t stop there as he is currently serving as a police officer for the Parkview Health Police Department.
With a servant’s heart and proven experience like his, I believe Don will be a valued asset to all of Kosciusko County. With the utmost confidence, Don Wiesehan is the right choice!
James Zimmerman
Burket, IN
Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter in support of Donald Wiesehan.
I’ve known Don nearly 10 years and have always looked up to him. Don is a true leader and leads by example. He possesses a servant’s heart and a passion for leading with the utmost integrity.
Don is a lifelong resident of our great county and wants it to continue to move in a positive direction. Don’s family, children and grandchildren live in this community, and he believes in providing a promising future for generations to come.
Don will strive for open communication between the commissioners and constituents. He has what it takes to make decisions that will benefit you and I as the citizen and taxpayer. I believe Don possesses the motivation and decision making that are crucial in our ever changing community.
He will stand for what he believes is best for our community, be transparent and honest with you and will listen to your concerns. His proven experience in leadership will help him excel in leading our county for a positive future for his family and yours.
After many years patrolling the roads of our community with the sheriff’s office, Don is very familiar with what works well and what areas need a closer look. Seeing where downfalls are and admitting there is a problem is essential.
Don will be honest with you and take ownership of all his decisions. Don will strategize and be meticulous to come up with plans to prevent our community from having repeated failures.
Don will take the time to research and be informed with options that best suit our county. He will embrace the challenges that come with leading a community, remain humble and will do what is best for the citizens of our community.
New and fresh ideas from our county commissioners are extremely important, and Don Wiesehan will bring them.
I hope you will join me on May 3 and vote Don Wiesehan for commissioner.
Justin Smith
North Webster, IN
Dear Editor,
I've never written a letter of support for someone, so I'll keep this short and sweet. I am supporting Donald Wiesehan for County Commissioner. I worked for and with Don Wiesehan at the Sheriff's Office and Don always had my back when I was a Jail Officer. There was never any question on where you stood with him. He always stood by his officers and supported them. It was the same leadership he consistently had while working on the Patrol Division.
Thorough, level headed, practical and leader are words to describe what he brings to the table. Don always took a calm approach to a situation, getting both sides of the matter before going forward with a plan and that is how he will be as a county commissioner.
Don is not running for this elected position for the health insurance that Commissioner's recieve. He is in it to effect real change in a positive way.
The reasons I have stated and knowing Don's integrity are the reasons I will be voting Don Wiesehan for County Commissioner.
Shaun Mudd
Mentone, IN
REMEMBER: Absentee Voting starts on April 5th. If you are not sure if you are registered to vote you can go to http://www.indianavoters.com . You have the option of registering to Vote by mail, or in-person. Your registration needs to be completed and returned on or before April 4th, to vote in the May 3rd Primary Election. Check it out to today!
"Right Time, Right Choice"
It was a pleasure getting to interact with so many of you at the Warsaw Home and Outdoor Show over the weekend. Thank you for stopping by.
"Right Time, Right Choice"
WE HAVE OFFICIALLY STARTED PUTTING OUT YARD SIGNS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A SIGN PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW OR CONTACT US ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
"RIGHT TIME, RIGHT CHOICE"
We can't win this race without you. Word-of-mouth and donating are all ways of helping us achieve our goals together. Thank you for donating to our cause.
Being fiscally responsible is vital and I will provide better management and oversight of approved budgetary items. As your commissioner, I will work diligently to ensure that I work within the limits of the budget. Providing certain individuals within the county government substantial pay increases; spending over and outside of approved budgets, can only cost our taxpayers and could result in higher taxes.
Supporting bills like Senate Bill 349, is a big step in the right direction. Senate Bill 349, authored by State Senator Ryan Mishler, would require the county to enter into a contract with the sheriff and repeal provisions that allow a sheriff to retain a portion of tax warrants, collection fees and direct that the tax warrant revenues go to the county general fund. This bill was updated on January 27, 2022, and will go into effect July 1, 2022 (copy of final bill provided).
As your commissioner, I will work together with the county council and the other commissioners for the common good and promote the betterment of our community.
“Right time, Right Choice”
If we join together and make our voices heard, we can fight for the change we want to see!
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Voting serves all of us. Thank you for your commitment.