With the Republican primary on May 7, both candidates for county surveyor - James Moyer and Ryan Prince - responded to four questions during Wednesday’s candidate forum.
The first question asked was why each of the candidates was running for office.
Moyer said he is currently the assistant county surveyor and would like to step up in a leadership position. He has over 20 years in surveying experience and has over 40 years of work experience in the community.
He was born in Warsaw, went to high school in Warsaw and got married and raised his family in Warsaw. He knows a lot of people and he wants to serve them with all the duties and responsibilities of the office.
Prince said he is a professional surveyor. He’s running for the position of county surveyor because he cares about the quality of surveying services in the county and believes he has the skills and experience needed for the office.
Moyer and Prince were also asked what skill sets they believed were needed to manage the surveyor’s office.
Prince said he believed the skill set needed was to be a professional surveyor. The majority of the skills needed are required to be a surveyor and he is the only licensed surveyor running for the position.
Moyer said experience is needed for the position. He said he’s 63 and started out in the construction industry with his father. He continued with service in volunteer fire departments and serving in different positions and organizations, such Kosciusko County Council and as a township trustee. That has helped him develop relationships with people around the county. The surveyor’s office is very much out there with people.
Drainage projects is a big part of the sphere of the office and it is critical to have a good working relationship with not only the property owners, but also contractors who do the work. He has 20 years of experience in the excavating contracting area and 20 years working with land surveyors. Moyer said people skills is a necessary skill set for the position.
The candidates were asked what ideas or policies the candidates will implement to continue the improvement process in the surveyor’s office for the good of the Kosciusko County taxpayers.
Moyer said he would begin by restructuring the office and prioritizing drainage program. He would work with contractors more closely to make sure they know what is required of them when he sends contractors out to do work.
He also said the drainage board needs more information concerning the decisions they have to make, so Moyer said he will work very hard to provide better information to the drainage board so they can make better decisions.
Prince said he would continue the great work of the surveyor’s office.
The last question asked was why the candidates thought they were the best candidate for the position.
Prince said he is a licensed surveyor and the position requires a special license to do what is needed.
Moyer said he is the best candidate because of his experience. In the area where the office needs a professional surveyor, Moyer plans on hiring as needed. He said he feels it is better for the taxpayers to hire the professional and take advantage of their skills and technology as needed. The remainder of the time is administrative work. A license to do administrative work at the courthouse isn’t necessary. With his people skills, he can do a much better job with all aspects by hiring as needed and continuing to serve the public in his capacity.