Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Republicans Gregory Scott Abbs and Matthew Goodnight and Democrat Yesenia “Jessie” Vetor are seeking the two at-large Syracuse Town Council seats after incumbents Paul Stoelting and Larry Siegel chose not to seek re-election this year.
All three were asked to answer three questions, in 250 words or less. Below are their responses.
1. Why are you running for the Syracuse Town Council?
Vetor: I am running for town council because I believe it is time for a change in how we approach leadership, communication, and decision-making in our community.
Every resident and business deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and transparency, regardless of their financial circumstances or point of view. I believe our town needs leadership that listens to its residents, values its local businesses, and works toward solutions that benefit the community as a whole. My goal is to bring a balanced, unbiased voice to the council, rebuild trust between the town, its residents, and its businesses, and ensure decisions are made thoughtfully, responsibly and with the long-term well-being of Syracuse in mind.
Goodnight: I am running for the Syracuse Town Council because, over four years ago, I recognized the need for a fresh perspective and new energy on the council. While I sincerely thank Larry and Paul for their decades of dedication — having each served for over a quarter of a century —Syracuse needs renewed passion, fresh ideas and a revised vision in these two at-large seats.
I believe a councilperson’s role is to serve our community and then actively search for, mentor and support the next generation of leaders as they take a seat at the table — continually elevating Syracuse and raising our community to new heights. Guided by this belief and a strong respect for term limits, I do not intend to match the longevity of either man on the council.
Abbs: Syracuse is home. I was born and raised here, where my wife and I are raising a family of our own. I am running for the Syracuse Town Council because I want to make sure the decisions we make today strengthen our community for the next generation, not just the next budget cycle.
Our town is at an important crossroads. Two longtime councilmen, Larry Siegel and Paul Stoelting, are stepping away after decades of service, and changes at the state level are reshaping how towns like ours are funded. Syracuse needs council members who will plan ahead, ask the hard questions and put residents first.
My priorities are clear: plan for future generations, protect our lakes and green space, support local businesses and make sure every tax dollar is spent responsibly. That means taking care of the roads, utilities, parks and services residents already rely on before chasing projects we cannot afford to maintain.
I also believe transparency is a core promise, not just a slogan. People may not always agree with every decision, but they should always be able to see the process, understand the reasoning, and know their voice matters. If elected, I will provide regular updates, explain not only what decisions are made but why, and keep a true open-door policy for every resident.
I lead with a servant leadership style. I am not running for a title; I am running to serve. I would be honored to be your voice on the Syracuse Town Council.
2. What qualifications and/or experiences do you have that make you the best choice to serve in the elected position?
Vetor: Throughout my professional and personal life, I have gained experience leading teams, managing large budgets, organizing inclusive events, and volunteering in my community. These experiences have taught me the importance of communication, collaboration, financial responsibility and considering different perspectives when making decisions.
As a parent who has raised three children in the Wawasee school district, I also have a personal connection to our community and an understanding of the importance of maintaining a town where families, businesses, and residents can thrive. I understand that our community is made up of people with different priorities, experiences and financial circumstances, and I believe every voice deserves to be heard and respected.
I hold an MBA and bring a commitment to continued learning, thoughtful problem-solving and responsible leadership. I believe effective government requires transparency, accountability and checks and balances to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of the community.
If elected, I will bring a balanced and unbiased perspective to the council. My goal is not to represent one particular group or interest, but to listen, ask questions, evaluate the facts and help make informed decisions that serve Syracuse as a whole. I believe our town deserves leadership that values fairness, encourages collaboration and remains accountable to the people it serves.
Goodnight: My entire life has been defined by community service — from achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in my youth to serving nearly 25 years as a volunteer/reserve firefighter and EMT after graduating from Butler University. That dedication continued through the past eight years with the Syracuse-Wawasee Sheriff’s Lake Patrol. Today, I am honored to serve the greater Syracuse area as part of Chautauqua-Wawasee, an organization dedicated to enhancing our community's quality of life.
What uniquely qualifies me for the town council is the valuable experience I have gained over the last four and a half years serving on the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission and the Syracuse Board of Zoning Appeals. Navigating complex public hearings, exceptions and zoning variances has given me a deep understanding of how to balance diverse property rights with smart, practical solutions for our town's future growth.
Abbs: I bring a combination of professional experience, community involvement and a lifelong commitment to Syracuse.
Professionally, I have more than 10 years of experience in government contracting supporting the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard. In that role, I learned how large-scale projects are planned, funded and executed efficiently. I worked directly with federal, state, and local officials to secure project funding, navigate tax credit opportunities tied to job creation and pursued infrastructure grants. That experience bringing outside resources into a community can directly benefit our town without overburdening local taxpayers.
I have also built and executed capital expenditure plans on 1-, 2-, 5-, 10- and 15-year timelines. That kind of long-term planning is exactly what a town council needs to prioritize infrastructure, manage growth responsibly and avoid reactive decisions that cost residents more down the road. With new state funding changes on the horizon, that skill set matters now more than ever.
Beyond work, I have stayed deeply connected to our community. I have coached local youth basketball and flag football, building relationships with families and understanding the needs of our younger residents. I have also served as Master of my Masonic Lodge, which strengthened my leadership, accountability and commitment to service.
Most importantly, I was born and raised here. I understand our town’s history, its values, and its potential. I am invested in building a strong, sustainable future for everyone who calls Syracuse home.
3. What do you believe will be the biggest hurdle facing the town of Syracuse in the next five years and why?
Vetor: I believe one of the biggest hurdles facing Syracuse over the next five years will be rebuilding trust and strengthening communication between town government, residents and local businesses while navigating the financial challenges ahead. Indiana's Senate Enrolled Act 1 (SEA 1) could impact the town's revenue, creating additional challenges in funding essential services and maintaining our infrastructure. This makes responsible financial planning and prioritizing the needs of our community more important than ever.
The town will need to carefully evaluate road repairs, sidewalk maintenance, infrastructure improvements and other essential services to determine where resources are most urgently needed. Without thoughtful planning and adequate funding, we risk seeing maintenance delayed and sections of our town become neglected. We must be proactive in identifying these needs, evaluating available funding opportunities and making responsible decisions to preserve Syracuse's infrastructure and quality of life.
At the same time, we must balance future growth with the needs and financial realities of our current residents and local businesses. Growth and progress are important, but they must be sustainable and supported by responsible financial decisions that consider the long-term impact on our community.
I believe addressing these challenges starts with transparency, accountability and open communication. Our residents and businesses deserve to understand the financial challenges facing the town, how decisions are being made and how public resources are being prioritized. As a council member, I would advocate for asking the difficult questions, evaluating the facts, exploring available funding options and ensuring that all perspectives are considered before decisions are made.
Goodnight: Just like a family or a senior citizen living on a fixed income, Syracuse faces the ongoing challenge of managing its budget and living within its means. The town must find sustainable revenue paths to offset reduced property tax collections resulting from recent actions by the Indiana General Assembly.
While taxpayers are naturally pleased to see relief on their property tax bills, these legislative changes directly reduce the revenue supporting the town's budget. Moving forward, the Town Council must rigorously prioritize our community's "wants" versus our "needs" during budget discussions, ensuring we maintain and even improve the high level of service our residents deserve.
As your council member, my focus will be on carefully balancing community costs and benefits within a responsible operating budget.
Abbs: The biggest hurdle facing Syracuse over the next five years will be maintaining the quality services residents expect while our revenue becomes less predictable.
Senate Enrolled Act 1 reduces property tax revenue and overhauls the local income tax system. Beginning in 2028, towns like ours will rely more on county-level decisions to receive funding. For a small town, that means less local control and more uncertainty when it comes to paying for police, fire protection, road maintenance, utilities and parks.
At the same time, Syracuse continues to grow and attract visitors to our lakes. Growth brings opportunity, but it also puts pressure on infrastructure, our lakes and our green space. Deferred maintenance is just delayed cost, and if we fall behind, residents will pay more later.
Meeting this challenge starts with planning now, not in 2028. First, the town needs a long-term financial plan that reviews the budget line by line, protects core services and builds reserves where possible. Second, we must take a maintenance-first approach and make sure every new project comes with a realistic plan to maintain it. Third, Syracuse needs a strong voice at the table with Kosciusko County to ensure we receive our fair share. Finally, we should aggressively pursue grants and partnerships so outside dollars, not just local taxpayers, help fund our future.
Through it all, residents deserve honest, transparent communication about where their money goes and why.
