Leesburg Council President Picks Archer To Fill Vacancy
February 7, 2018 at 7:15 p.m.
LEESBURG – Town Council President Tom Moore has always been willing to get involved, so he had no problem casting the lone vote in a unique Republican caucus Tuesday night called to fill a vacancy on the town council.
Since all of the town falls within the Plain 2 precinct, Moore – the precinct committeeman for Plain 2 – was left with the task of being the only Republican caucus member to decide who would fill the vacancy created after Larry Richey resigned in January.
The vote came down to choosing between two people he considers friends – Christina Archer and Tyler Haines.
But with a single vote that took a matter of seconds, Moore chose Archer. Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan announced the decision.
Moore said he did not feel uncomfortable with the decision, but admitted it was still tough.
“There’s a lot of friendship involved,” Moore said afterward, pointing out that both candidates had been customers when he owned and operated Climate Control.
He’s also a regular at Stacy’s restaurant, which has been owned by Haines’ family for 45 years.
“I’ve eaten lunch at Stacy’s for – oh my – 30 some years,” Moore said. “You can’t help develop those friendships.”
He said he had not made a decision until he arrived for the meeting and said ultimately it was based on what is best for the town and its future.
“If you plant good seeds, you get good crops,” Moore said. “These two folks here tonight, you can’t get any better.”
While caucuses normally involve a secret ballot, given the circumstances, Moore had no problem explaining his decision.
His choice came down to Archer’s extensive involvement in the community and the fact she’s retired and has more time to dedicate to the job, Moore said.
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Moore said he believed Archer is ready to “hit the road running” as a council member.
Archer, a native of Leesburg who has attended council meetings regularly since retiring from a teaching career in Texas eight years ago, has overseen the town’s Christmas Candelaria celebration and regularly helps organize the annual Memorial Day activities at the cemetery.
Haines, an attorney and architect whose office is next to Stacy’s, stressed his involvement in Republican politics and affection for the town.
“I have a lot invested in this town,” Haines said. “What happens here means a lot to me.”
After being named the winner, Archer said she was thankful for the opportunity. She recalled that a town resident recently told her they believed nobody loves the town more than her.
“That almost made me cry then and it almost makes me cry now to think about it because I really love this little town and I really wanna see good things happen here,” Archer said.
Moore hinted that Haines could still have a role in the town down the road.
“Please don’t go way and please don’t lose your enthusiasm,” he told Haines.
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LEESBURG – Town Council President Tom Moore has always been willing to get involved, so he had no problem casting the lone vote in a unique Republican caucus Tuesday night called to fill a vacancy on the town council.
Since all of the town falls within the Plain 2 precinct, Moore – the precinct committeeman for Plain 2 – was left with the task of being the only Republican caucus member to decide who would fill the vacancy created after Larry Richey resigned in January.
The vote came down to choosing between two people he considers friends – Christina Archer and Tyler Haines.
But with a single vote that took a matter of seconds, Moore chose Archer. Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan announced the decision.
Moore said he did not feel uncomfortable with the decision, but admitted it was still tough.
“There’s a lot of friendship involved,” Moore said afterward, pointing out that both candidates had been customers when he owned and operated Climate Control.
He’s also a regular at Stacy’s restaurant, which has been owned by Haines’ family for 45 years.
“I’ve eaten lunch at Stacy’s for – oh my – 30 some years,” Moore said. “You can’t help develop those friendships.”
He said he had not made a decision until he arrived for the meeting and said ultimately it was based on what is best for the town and its future.
“If you plant good seeds, you get good crops,” Moore said. “These two folks here tonight, you can’t get any better.”
While caucuses normally involve a secret ballot, given the circumstances, Moore had no problem explaining his decision.
His choice came down to Archer’s extensive involvement in the community and the fact she’s retired and has more time to dedicate to the job, Moore said.
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Moore said he believed Archer is ready to “hit the road running” as a council member.
Archer, a native of Leesburg who has attended council meetings regularly since retiring from a teaching career in Texas eight years ago, has overseen the town’s Christmas Candelaria celebration and regularly helps organize the annual Memorial Day activities at the cemetery.
Haines, an attorney and architect whose office is next to Stacy’s, stressed his involvement in Republican politics and affection for the town.
“I have a lot invested in this town,” Haines said. “What happens here means a lot to me.”
After being named the winner, Archer said she was thankful for the opportunity. She recalled that a town resident recently told her they believed nobody loves the town more than her.
“That almost made me cry then and it almost makes me cry now to think about it because I really love this little town and I really wanna see good things happen here,” Archer said.
Moore hinted that Haines could still have a role in the town down the road.
“Please don’t go way and please don’t lose your enthusiasm,” he told Haines.
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