MILFORD — All of the candidates running for Milford Town Council in the 2018 midterm elections are unopposed. There are, however, two significant changes coming to the council in 2019.

Patricia Gall, Republican, will fill the Milford Clerk/Treasurer position currently held by Joellen Free. Free will take the spot on the council vacated by Dan Cochran, who chose not to run for a third term.

During the primary, Cochran expressed his belief in term limits and his desire to see greater community involvement in local politics. After two terms on the council, he chose not to run in the hope of opening the door to “new blood.”

Milford Town Clerk

PATRICIA GALL

Patricia Gall

Gall has been a Milford resident for the past several years. She has been a regular participant in town council meetings as the Milford Fest chairperson and is a member of Milford Lions Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Milford School Parent Teacher Organization.

Among the clerk’s responsibilities are handling accounts payable and receivable and payroll. “In my working life I’ve done all those things,” Gall stated.

She is currently an accountant for Lesea Broadcasting in South Bend, and previously managed accounts payable and payroll at Chore-Time Brock in Milford. Gall also managed accounts payable and receivable at Zimmer Biomet. “I have the proper skills to do a good job,” she said.

About her predecessor, Gall commented, “Joellen has done a good job. I have some big shoes to fill.” One challenge facing Milford, she added, will be to “stay under budget and function efficiently.”

“I care a lot about Milford and I want to see it do well,” said Gall. “I plan on using the skills I have to make the town a better place.”

Milford Town Council

JOELLEN FREE

Joellen Free

After seven years overseeing the town’s finances, Milford Clerk Free, Republican, looks forward to becoming a voting member of the Milford Town Council. “My knowledge of the day-to-day workings of the town will be an asset to the council,” Free noted.

A member of Milford Kiwanis Club and elder of the First Mennonite Church of Nappanee, Free spearheaded the effort to bring new playground equipment to Waubee Lake Park, obtaining funding through a matching grant from the K21 Foundation.

As a council member, Free hopes to “find solutions to the utilities’ financial issues.”

Much of the utilities’ problems, Free asserted, stem from 10 years ago, when past councils failed to raise rates to keep up with labor and the prices of chemicals and equipment.

“It’s a constant battle,” she said. “We need to find ways to bring in new revenue.” These include increasing the customer base. Free hopes one day Milford’s utilities will be self-sustaining, and run like a private business.

Robert C. Cockburn

ROBERT COCKBURN

Robert Cockburn, Republican, is a longtime employee of the Wawasee Community School Corporation and is a congregant of Milford’s Apostolic Christian Church. Serving on the Milford Town Council since 2005 has imparted a sense of perspective.

“I have learned that many issues with which we deal cannot be settled in a few minutes or a few days or a few months,” he said. “I am open to other people’s ideas, and do not take it personally when they don’t agree with mine.”

“Financial issues,” Cockburn commented, are a “common occurrence.” And school safety, he said, “is always on my mind.”

Cockburn has also been a consistent advocate for “improving the appearance of the town.” He believes the best way to do so is “by working with our property owners and ensuring that our town employees have what they need to carry out their duties.”

Douglas Ruch

DOUG RUCH

Current Milford Town Council President Ruch, Republican, is the longest serving member of the council, having served since 1994. He has been a volunteer fireman since 1979, and was a member of the Multi-Township ambulance service board of directors. Ruch is the owner of Ruch Service Inc. in Milford and attends New Salem Church of the Brethren.

Ruch characterized his approach to government as “commonsense” and “conservative on spending.”

As for issues facing Milford in the near future, Ruch said “keeping the town safe” is paramount. He also believes the council should do what it can to “allow the town to have controlled growth.”

“I will do my best to serve the town,” Ruch stated.