Details for a caucus to fill the vacancy in the office of Winona Lake clerk-treasurer were confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
The caucus is necessary after Laurie Renier submitted her resignation Tuesday to the Winona Lake Town Council and Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Ragan, effective immediately, with only 82 days left remaining in her term. In her resignation letter, which Renier read aloud to the council Tuesday before their 2024 budget review and public hearing, she cited the working conditions and criticism from the council, town employees and others, among other reasons, for her resignation.
Heather James, town councilwoman, was elected this year to replace Renier as clerk-treasurer, with James not taking office until Jan. 1.
The caucus will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Winona Lake Town Hall Council Chambers, 1310 Park Ave., Winona Lake.
Eligible members of the caucus, by statutory definition, are the Republican precinct committee members of Wayne 1, 3, 4 and 10 in Kosciusko County who have served continuously from 30 days before the date of the commencement of the caucus.
The clerk-treasurer shall be elected by secret ballot of the majority of the voting caucus members to fill the office vacancy.
Declarations of candidacy are available at the office of Kosciusko County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw, and must be filed with Ragan no later than 72 hours before the commencement of the caucus. Eligible candidates will be allowed a maximum of three minutes to address the voting caucus.