MILFORD — The Republican Party of Kosciusko County held a caucus in Milford Town Hall Monday, Dec. 21, to elect Shane Bucher of Milford to the Van Buren Township Board.

Bucher, a Kosciusko County deputy sheriff, was the only candidate seeking the position vacated by Harry Doty, also of Milford, who served on the board for 33 years. Bucher will take office Jan. 1 for a term to last through 2018.

Party chairman Randy Girod presided during what he called a “formality,” as Bucher was unopposed. Van Buren precinct committeemen Steve Tucker and Bruce Lamb were on hand to pass the motion allowing Bucher to fill the vacancy. Neither Bucher, who was in Florida with family, or Doty were present, though Girod did present a letter signed by Doty confirming his intention to vacate the seat.

Girod expressed thanks for Doty’s “years of dedication to the community. He gave his time and energy, his heart and his soul … We’re all a little better for it.”

As well as providing further representation of the township’s populace, the Van Buren Township Board shares supervisory duties with the Milford Town Council over Milford Volunteer Fire Department and Lutheran EMS Kosciusko. As Bucher is a member of the fire department, he must abstain from future votes where this poses a conflict of interest.

The board has yet to determine a date for its first organizational meeting.