UPDATE: Cates Joins Council Thursday After Appointment
June 8, 2017 at 7:34 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
Cates was one of seven people to seek the at-large seat and was selected in a countywide caucus of Republican precinct leaders.
After five ballots were used to narrow the field, Cates faced Tressa Nichols of North Webster in the sixth ballot and won 37-23, according to party leaders.
Other candidates included Harold Jones of North Webster, Brett Harper of Leesburg, and Paul Finley, Josh Finch and Jon Fussle, all of Warsaw.
The caucus continued for more than two hours.
Typically, a caucus can arrive at a winner within three or four ballots, and Republican County Chairman Mike Ragan said he could not recall one extending to a sixth ballot.
Ragan credited the extensive balloting to a strong field. Adding to the interest, he said, was that some of those who ran considered themselves friends of Sanders.
“We had seven very good candidates with a good mix,” Ragan said. “I could have voted for any of them.”
Cates, in her short introduction, touted her business and government background.
She has operated a tax service and worked as a corporate controller. She also serves on the Turkey Creek Advisory Board and is president of the township fire board.
The combination of those experiences, she said, has allowed her to be ready for the job.
“I will move fiscally conservative ideas and programs so that our government here can continue to work effectively,” she told the crowd.
She thanked her supporters in a quick address, pledging to do the best she can.
She said the race turned into a “tough battle.”
“That’s OK. Competition makes us better,” she said.
Cates, who is married to Kosciusko
Superior Court I Judge David Cates, is expected to join the council tonight when members convene for a monthly meeting. She said she understands there is much to learn about the job.
Nichols ran in 2016 for the county Republican Party chair, which Ragan won, and for one of three county council at-large seats in 2016. She also served as a state delegate in the 2016 election and has been attending council meetings for more than a year.
Nichols cast herself as a fiscal conservative who was willing to safeguard religious liberties at the county level.
By the time the field was down to four candidates, Cates, Nichols, Finch and Jones appeared to spread the vote evenly. But Jones was knocked out in the fourth ballot and Finch was set aside in the fifth.
In his presentation, Jones pointed to a wealth of experience. The retired Leesburg grocer served 20 years on council, much of that as council president.
With the death of Sanders and an earlier resignation by Brad Tandy, the council has lost a “vast amount” of experience, Jones said.
Sanders, 69, died May 14 and had been serving as council president. Tandy moved out of the county after 22 years on the council.
“With the new budget session coming up within the next two months, I think it’s highly important to have somebody in this position that has some experience. I have that experience. I can hit the ground running,” Jones said.
In other presentations, the candidates expressed a conservative outlook.
Finch, who ran in a caucus last year to fill Tandy’s seat, said he views it as a form of servant leadership. He said he thinks Kosciusko County is the best county in the state and pledged “to work diligently to make it even greater.”
Harter touted his home building background and the work with the Indiana Builders Association and state agencies. He said the county is blessed and credited past and existing leadership. “I would be honored to step in and fill Bob’s shoes and represent you.”
Finley cast himself as a rookie in the field, but said he wants to use his 28 years of business and leadership experience to contribute to the council. He expressed a desire to be involved regardless of the final vote. “Somewhere down the road, I plan to be involved,” he said.
Fussle finished a four-year term last year on the council and promised to continue a fiscally conservative approach. He recalled that he voted against establishing a wheel tax for road repairs. The tax was eventually approved.
“I hope you don’t hold that against me, but I am proud to stand and take that position,” he said.
Wednesday’s caucus was the first of two this month for Republicans. Precinct leaders will gather again on June 21 to select a sheriff after Aaron Rovenstine was removed from office following his sentence on a felony intimidation charge.
Cates was one of seven people to seek the at-large seat and was selected in a countywide caucus of Republican precinct leaders.
After five ballots were used to narrow the field, Cates faced Tressa Nichols of North Webster in the sixth ballot and won 37-23, according to party leaders.
Other candidates included Harold Jones of North Webster, Brett Harper of Leesburg, and Paul Finley, Josh Finch and Jon Fussle, all of Warsaw.
The caucus continued for more than two hours.
Typically, a caucus can arrive at a winner within three or four ballots, and Republican County Chairman Mike Ragan said he could not recall one extending to a sixth ballot.
Ragan credited the extensive balloting to a strong field. Adding to the interest, he said, was that some of those who ran considered themselves friends of Sanders.
“We had seven very good candidates with a good mix,” Ragan said. “I could have voted for any of them.”
Cates, in her short introduction, touted her business and government background.
She has operated a tax service and worked as a corporate controller. She also serves on the Turkey Creek Advisory Board and is president of the township fire board.
The combination of those experiences, she said, has allowed her to be ready for the job.
“I will move fiscally conservative ideas and programs so that our government here can continue to work effectively,” she told the crowd.
She thanked her supporters in a quick address, pledging to do the best she can.
She said the race turned into a “tough battle.”
“That’s OK. Competition makes us better,” she said.
Cates, who is married to Kosciusko
Superior Court I Judge David Cates, is expected to join the council tonight when members convene for a monthly meeting. She said she understands there is much to learn about the job.
Nichols ran in 2016 for the county Republican Party chair, which Ragan won, and for one of three county council at-large seats in 2016. She also served as a state delegate in the 2016 election and has been attending council meetings for more than a year.
Nichols cast herself as a fiscal conservative who was willing to safeguard religious liberties at the county level.
By the time the field was down to four candidates, Cates, Nichols, Finch and Jones appeared to spread the vote evenly. But Jones was knocked out in the fourth ballot and Finch was set aside in the fifth.
In his presentation, Jones pointed to a wealth of experience. The retired Leesburg grocer served 20 years on council, much of that as council president.
With the death of Sanders and an earlier resignation by Brad Tandy, the council has lost a “vast amount” of experience, Jones said.
Sanders, 69, died May 14 and had been serving as council president. Tandy moved out of the county after 22 years on the council.
“With the new budget session coming up within the next two months, I think it’s highly important to have somebody in this position that has some experience. I have that experience. I can hit the ground running,” Jones said.
In other presentations, the candidates expressed a conservative outlook.
Finch, who ran in a caucus last year to fill Tandy’s seat, said he views it as a form of servant leadership. He said he thinks Kosciusko County is the best county in the state and pledged “to work diligently to make it even greater.”
Harter touted his home building background and the work with the Indiana Builders Association and state agencies. He said the county is blessed and credited past and existing leadership. “I would be honored to step in and fill Bob’s shoes and represent you.”
Finley cast himself as a rookie in the field, but said he wants to use his 28 years of business and leadership experience to contribute to the council. He expressed a desire to be involved regardless of the final vote. “Somewhere down the road, I plan to be involved,” he said.
Fussle finished a four-year term last year on the council and promised to continue a fiscally conservative approach. He recalled that he voted against establishing a wheel tax for road repairs. The tax was eventually approved.
“I hope you don’t hold that against me, but I am proud to stand and take that position,” he said.
Wednesday’s caucus was the first of two this month for Republicans. Precinct leaders will gather again on June 21 to select a sheriff after Aaron Rovenstine was removed from office following his sentence on a felony intimidation charge.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092