By David Slone
Times-Union
ETNA GREEN — Twenty years ago, Aaron Rovenstine appointed Keith Claassen to the Etna Green Town Board.
Tuesday, after current Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Ragan appointed Claassen back to the town board, Aaron’s son, Austin Rovenstine, gave Claassen the oath of office.
Claassen, 64, previously served on the town board for about 20 years, beginning in 2004. He was appointed to the board when Andy Cook stepped down to become an employee of the town.
In the November general election, Claassen received the fewest amount of votes of the four candidates for the three council seats. Incumbents Republican Jason Hanes and Libertarian Susan Klinefelter received 43 and 55 votes, respectively, while Republican Heath Roberts received 50 votes. Claassen received 35 votes.
On Aug. 7, Hanes resigned from the board effective immediately. Since fewer than two people would be eligible to participate in a precinct committeemen caucus to fill the vacancy, Ragan appoints a qualified individual to the office for the remaining unexpired term. Eligible applicants for the position had to be residents of the town and Republicans in good standing.
In appointing Claassen on Tuesday, Ragan said, “I thank all three candidates for filing for this vital position. Thanks also to the citizens of Etna Green who contacted Etna Township Precinct Committeeman Steve Sechrist and me to express their preferences.
“After these discussions and reviewing the three completed declaration of candidacy applications and the three candidates’ historical voting records, Keith Claassen has been appointed to complete the remaining term, effective immediately.
“We congratulate Keith Claassen on this appointment and wish him well in his new position. We are confident that he will serve the citizens of Etna Green with courtesy and professionalism.
“The Kosciusko County Republican Party thanks Jason Hanes for his service,” Ragan stated.
Claassen said it was nice to be of service to the town.
“I’ve been in service for the town for a long time between Lion’s Club, first responders and town council,” he said.
After not winning the 2023 election, Claassen said he was a little depressed because he looked forward to being able to serve on the council.
“You’re back on,” Ragan said.
Before the appointment, Claassen said, “Anybody that is not registered to vote, they have until Oct. 7 to register, so you can vote in the general election and it’s important that everybody votes. Every vote counts. There’s too much complacency in this country of people that don’t vote and are not even registered.”
