Six Run For Plain Township Trustee And Board
PLAIN TOWNSHIP — Two candidates are running for Plain Township Trustee and four others are vying for seats on the township’s advisory board.
Contestants for the board are essentially running unopposed, as voters can select up to three candidates on the ballot and only three Republicans and one Democrat are running in the closed primary.
The race for trustee pits incumbent Jerry Kammerer against challenger Tyler Huffer. Both are Republicans.
The Mail-Journal asked the trustee candidates two questions. Their answers follow, with candidates listed alphabetically by surname:
Tyler Huffer
Campaign slogan: “Putting the trust back in trustee.”
Huffer, 1011 Chapman Lake Drive, Warsaw, a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, currently serves on the township board, has served as a precinct committeeman or vice-committeeman the past six years and is a member of the National Rifle Association and the Sons of the American Legion Post 49 in Warsaw.
“With my experience working directly with the needs of the citizens of Plain Township, I have an earned the understanding of individuals in crisis situations and the desire to help those in need,” he said.
“I am the only candidate certified in township assistance by the Indiana Township Association. With my many years of first-hand experience assisting those in need, I feel I am extremely well qualified to become your next Plain Township trustee.”
MJ: What do you see as the most important issues facing the township you would like to address in the next term?
“In my time as a paramedic, Plain Township board member and resident, several things have become obvious to me, the first being there is a certain percentage of our population living below the poverty line. Township assistance is one of the largest requirements of the trustee’s job and I believe our township and the trustee’s office could be doing more.
“One thing I intend to do is develop a township food pantry like other townships around us. I plan to better utilize those funds which are earmarked for township assistance and will work diligently with other available resources in our community to better serve all residents of Plain Township.
“Secondly, I have some concerns for our township fire department. Nationally, volunteerism is down. Many fire departments require volunteers for staffing and the majority of employers simply cannot allow volunteers to leave during the workday as they did in years past. I will work with the fire chief to alleviate this concern. I also want to ensure our department’s equipment is kept up-to-date so our firefighters can safely return home to their families.”
MJ: What specific steps would you take during the next term to make the trustee’s office more efficient and cost-effective?
“I have already taken steps making Plain Township more cost-effective by voting to lower property taxes for 2018. In addition to keeping the tax rate down, I plan on improving our community relations with nonprofits and other agencies to improve workforce development. I want to engage our community to fight the local drug epidemic, fix the poverty stricken and educate the next generation to end problems which lead to poverty.”
Jerry Kammerer
Campaign slogan: “Maintaining the trust in trustee.”
Kammerer, 301 E. Van Buren St., Leesburg, has been trustee for almost 16 years. He was a township volunteer fireman for more than 50 years, retiring as chief of the department.
“I am a community-minded person and lived here all my life and am just proud of the community and that is the main reason why I do the job,” he said.
MJ: What do you see as the most important issues facing the township you would like to address in the next term?
“Actually I don’t see anything. We are set in good shape and just need to stay the course. We have probably some of the best fire equipment in the county and one of the nicest buildings. Our fire trucks are new and don’t need to be replaced for a while.
“I have gone to the fire department and asked them, ‘What is the disconnect?’ and they say there isn’t any. Nobody has any problems. If it’s not broke, it’s pretty hard to fix it.
“From 2017 to 2018 our budget dropped $113,000. We paid off the fire station so we no longer have that yearly payment.
“In the last year the township took over two cemeteries. Last year we blacktopped a Leesburg Cemetery driveway and will finish that cemetery this year. Oswego Cemetery is in good shape. The township has had Monoquet Cemetery forever, and we will clean the fence rows this week or next week.
“I was involved in buying four new fire trucks and approving the new building when I was on the advisory board.”
MJ: What specific steps would you take during the next term to make the trustee’s office more efficient and cost-effective?
“I contracted with Lutheran Hospital so after 2018 they will not charge the township for services. We will be self-supporting through the fees our EMS charges. Starting in 2019 none of the EMS expenses will come out of any tax money.
“We really don’t need a food pantry. Anybody who needs food can get assistance. I give food vouchers and Combined Community Services in Warsaw gives food. To me a pantry would be an extra cost, because you would have to hire somebody.
“The trustee cannot do anything without the approval of the board. They have the final decision. The trustee pays the bills and does what the board tells him to do. You don’t want to make a promise that cannot be carried through.”
Republican Candidates For Township Board
Each of the candidates was asked, “Why are you running for a seat on the township advisory board?”
Robert Bishop, 1865W 700N, Leesburg, has been a self-employed farmer for 40 years in the township. He has served on the advisory board for about 12 years.
“I enjoy doing things for the township and working to keep the tax rate really low and giving people the best service from government. Basically I want to see everything in the township run smoothly and keep the tax rate as low as we can. This year township tax rates will be half of last year. We got several obligations paid off in 2017 so we lowered the rate.”
Craig Charlton, 1546 E. Armstrong Road, Leesburg, did not respond to requests for an answer and photo.
Larry Kammerer, 7472 N. Harper Road, Leesburg, has been a farmer in Plain Township since 1970. He has never run for political office before.
“I want to keep the taxes as low as possible for the taxpayers of the township. Supporting the firemen and having the best equipment available to them is a high priority. I want to make sure we keep and have a volunteer fire department for years to come and maintain the EMS we are providing. Living in this township has been a real blessing. This is a chance to give back to the community.”
Democratic Candidate For Township Board
Gaynor Worden, 2533 Parent Drive, Warsaw, is retired and has lived in Kosciusko County for 35 years.
“This is a Republican county and I am just tired of not seeing a Democrat on the ballot. My father was on the advisory board in another area. I just think it is something I can do. I don’t know that I am not any better or worse than anybody else. I have nothing against Republicans but I think it is time to have a little competition. If I can do the job and do it well I would appreciate the people’s vote.”