It took three tries Wednesday night, but on the third vote a majority of the 12 Republican precinct committeemen present chose Tom Anglin for District 2 county councilman.
Also vying for the council seat at the county courthouse were Rhonda Miller, Nappanee, and Todd Anderson, Leesburg.
After being announced as the winner, Anglin was given a chance to say a few words.
“Thank you, thank you, precinct committee. I will try to uphold the best that I can,” Anglin said, also thanking Miller and Anderson for running. “You were great. You could have been right up here, too. Thank you, everyone.”
After the first two ballots, no candidate had a clear majority of the votes and the bottom two candidates were tied. With 12 committeemen present, a majority was seven. At least one of the precinct committeemen switched their vote in the third ballot to give Anglin the needed seven votes.
Anglin, Etna Green, will finish out Jim Moyer’s term. Moyer resigned from the council effective Sept. 28 to take a new job as assistant county surveyor. Moyer served on the council for five years and was the Harrison Township trustee for 15 years prior to that.
This is not the first time Anglin has served on the county council. He served on the council for 38 years before losing his at-large seat in the 2012 election to Jon Fussle.
Before the vote Wednesday, each candidate had three minutes to speak about why they were running.
Anglin said Moyer took his job very seriously and was always prepared for the council meetings.
“Losing Jim creates a big void on the council. Most folks don’t understand the responsibilities of being a council member. And that it really takes a year or two to learn about budgets, appropriations, abatements and state ordinances,” Anglin said, noting his 38 years on the council, many of those as president.
“I believe I am qualified to fill this position and my experience will be very beneficial to the county,” he said.
He stated he already knows the other county officials and department heads and knows how the county works.
“So I can hit the ground running at my first council meeting,” Anglin said.
He’s lived in Kosciusko his whole life and owns Clunette Elevator.
“Agri-business is a big industry in our county, and I can offer my knowledge about that part of the economy when we have to make decisions,” Anglin said.
Miller said she and her husband just celebrated their 25th anniversary and have lived in Kosciusko for over 16 years. They built their home south of Nappanee, and she’s worked in sales the last 18 years.
“We love Kosciusko County, especially the lower taxes, and have no plans of moving,” she said.
Miller said attending the county council meetings are a vital and important responsibility which, if elected, she intends to fulfill.
“I come to you not as an established member, but as a new, fresh opportunity,” she said. “I bring to you a fresh energy and knowledge which I gained through the three campaigns I actively participated on.”
Miller said the county’s top priority is to its law enforcement.
“As we see the war on law enforcement repeated across this nation, providing you with the resources you need should be a top priority,” Miller told Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, who was in attendance. “After all, your department is putting their lives on the line each and every day. We rely on you to defend the rights of the citizens of Kosciusko County.”
She then discussed the Wheel Tax, which the county passed last year and started collecting this year. The council is slated to review the tax next year.
“If chosen tonight, I look forward to being part of the solution to resolve this issue. I do believe that taxation in any form should be carefully scrutinized,” Miller said.
She then discussed the importance of the county maintaining its infrastructure and fiscal responsibility.
Anderson said he didn’t have Anglin’s experience, especially in government.
“I’ve been in business my whole life, through high school and since then,” he said. “I worked with a lot of service-oriented work. Combined with that and working with some of the big budgets and companies I work with, I feel like that is my qualification for being able to work in government. Because that’s what we’re here for – is to be able to handle the tax money that is coming in, being able to spend it wisely and being able to serve.”
Anderson said he was looking forward to the challenge of serving on the council and was more than capable of doing it. He said he knows there will be a learning curve.
While the votes were being counted for the third time, Moyer addressed the small audience.
“I just want everyone to know I just really enjoyed my time on county council,” he said, noting he left it to take a job in the county. A county employee can not be an elected county official, too.
“It was a better opportunity for me to work downstairs as the assistant surveyor. I regret having to leave the council, but it was necessary,” Moyer said.
He said being a part of the council takes time to know what’s going on in the county, meet the people and “involve yourself in this building.”
