Steve Unruh prepares to sign necessary documents being shown him by Randy Girod, Kosciusko County Republican Chairman. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Van Buren Township residents once again stepped up to the plate, showing how important their community is to them with two candidates vying for a vacancy on the Van Buren Township Advisory Board. Just over a month ago, five candidates vied for the township trustee position.

Stephen F. Unruh, North Camelot Trail, Milford, received the nod from the lone township precinct committeeman present of the three eligible to fill the vacancy. The township caucus was at 7 p.m. tonight in Milford Town Hall.

Unruh and his wife Pam have resided in the Milford area for the past 40 years raising two children. Unruh was active with the Milford Little League, referring to it as a right of passage with children growing up in the area and active in his local church. “I enjoy the people of the community.”

He served on the Milford Little League Board for a number of years and on the Camelot Home Owners Association.,He was also on the Lakeland Youth Center board and chaired several of those boards. He was a member of the Warsaw Rotary, joining when working in that community.

“I would like the opportunity to be involved in the Van Buren Township Advisory Board and contribute in a new way in the community.” Noting he is conservative, he stated he would still be open to new ideas and suggestions. “The local and state government knows what the people want … we are especially a unique area: ethnic, cultures and income.”

Dr. Bruce Lamb, the lone precinct committeeman present, questioned Unruh and his opponent R. Clark Jones, East Camp Mack Road, Milford, about their experience or knowledge of managing budgets and their philosophy regarding efforts to streamline county and township governments.

Both men noted they have worked with budgets in their professional careers as well as the various boards they have served with.

Unruh, regarding the streamlining, reiterated that it is hard and almost impossible for the federal government to understand what is happening in Milford and Northern Indiana. “It’s easier for the state and local governing body to have a better pulse in that particular area … we are a unique and diverse area … believe we are a strong area and know much more locally what’s needed than somewhere else.”

Jones, who with his wife the former Judy Little, moved to Milford 24 years ago, stated the needs of the community need to be looked at and with the job of the previous governor getting the state in the black has helped, but does not mean “spending bunches of money. We need to follow the same path, get a good handle on things, talk to people we are serving, different organizations and keep in close contact what their needs are and keep an eye on the budget.”

Jones works in the Internet technology department at Chore Time, Milford, has been involved int he community in various ways. He served on the local baseball boosters board serving as president and treasurer, Milford Kiwanis Club where he has served twice as president. He also was on the Milford Library Board for two terms, serving as vice president and working on the library’s technology program and needs for a five-year plan.

“I’m very happy to be here and want to give back,” said Jones adding the community is a group of conservative people but challenges have to be met and face up to do what is best for the community.

The Van Buren Township Caucus was chaired by Randy Girod, Kosciusko Republican Chairman.