Two women have filed for the Franklin Township trustee position as of Friday - Ann Wiesehan and Ashley Gearhart.
Current Franklin Township Trustee Melanie Vanlaningham resigned Dec. 12, effective Dec. 31, for personal issues.
In a telephone interview Sunday, Wiesehan said she’s going into her second year in January serving on the Franklin Township Advisory Board. She’s finishing out Jim Eads’ term on that board. Eads resigned as he was moving out of state.
“Since Melanie is stepping down, I thought it would be a good idea for someone on the board to step up. It’s a good opportunity for me to do that and I will still be serving my community,” she said.
Wiesehan also has served on the Kosciusko County Fair Board a few years, including as vice president, and the Republican Party Women’s Club as treasurer for a couple years, as well as on other local boards.
Living just outside of the town of Mentone, Wiesehan said if she’s chosen to serve as the next Franklin Township trustee, it’ll be a way for her to continue to give back to the community. She said she knows what’s going on in the local community and knows the people she will be serving.
Gearhart ran for Franklin Township trustee in the May 3, 2022, Republican primary against Vanlaningham.
Asked why she chose to seek the position this time, Gearhart said, ”I would love the ability to work from home with my boys and be involved in the community.”
Currently, she works from home selling life insurance. She lives near Beaver Dam Lake on CR 1000S.
Gearhart has not previously served in an elected position before, but she said her skills include she’s a very fast learner, very tech savvy, she knows her programs, is a good communicator, she’s persistent and consistent, good at getting her work done and is organized.
“I was involved in the community in banking. I’m very friendly when it comes to meeting new people,” she said. “I feel we’re very well known in the community with our last name.”
The caucus to replace Vanlaningham is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 30 in the Mentone Community Emergency Services building, 201 W. Main St.
The trustee will be elected by secret ballot of the majority of members of the voting caucus to fill the vacancy in the office. The precinct committeewomen are Wiesehan and County Treasurer Michelle Puckett.
Candidates for trustee must reside in Franklin Township and be a Republican in good standing. Eligible candidates will be allowed a maximum of three minutes to address the voting caucus.
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 Kosciusko County Republican Party Chairman Mike Ragan said no later than 72 hours prior to the commencement of the caucus.