Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
For the three Wayne Township Board seats, one Democrat, three Libertarians and three Republicans will be on the November general election ballot.
Katelyn Smith is the Democrat; David Lewis, Cassandra Rolon and Marco Rolon are the Libertarians; and Lance Grubbs, Gordon Nash and Joshua Spangle are the Republicans.
All seven candidates were asked to answer three questions, in 250 words or less.
Below are their responses, in alphabetical order by last name:
1. Why are you running for the Wayne Township Board?
Grubbs: Times are tough right now for a lot of families. I’ve lived in the Warsaw area all my life and feel that I can contribute some of my knowledge of available resources to help those in need of services.
Lewis: Frankly, the evidence dictates we have a transparency issue in local government! The township board is not only scarcely accessible to the people it represents, it sits on massive reserves of cash taken, through taxation, from hard working citizens of this county. Between the rainy day fund and township assistance fund, there is well over a million dollars as we close 2026 (projected)! Not only is this amount of money a magnet for corruption, it is a slap in the face to all who had it taken from their pocket just to be hoarded in public coffers! In 2026 the board will disperse in aid barely 6% of funds available for assistance. As such my platform is simple:
• Put our reserves to work for citizens! It is just short of criminal that our neighbors miss rent, and car repairs to get to work, while the township board sits on this type of money. We will do this by:
• Working to widen eligibility. Currently the township board follows guidelines that award aid based on the Federal Poverty level (about $33,000 annually for a family of four). That means people making just over that miss out on much needed aid. We all know the pressures people are under from inflation. State framework dictates that each respective township writes local eligibility standards. We can serve more people!
• Make it easier to apply for assistance. Current board leadership has resisted calls for modernization for years. When people can easily apply for, or even connect with assistance resources online, we will be able to reach significantly more people in need. On top of this the current township board hours of availability are non-existent. A phone number is the only way to reach the Board. We can work when people are available, and we can be available online 24/7!
• Transparency. The board currently publishes a top line level budget that gives ZERO understanding of exactly how the People's money is being spent at this level. We can publish more regular reporting showing exactly how dollars are being used.
• Protecting our township independence. As it stands now, it is looking like Wayne Township Board does not qualify for merger or dissolution under SEA 270. However, that does not mean there is not opportunity to expand our service to other people by voluntarily merging with other township boards before the state deadline next year.
Nash: I running for Wayne Township Advisory Board because I take pride in my community and enjoy making effective decisions recognizing all of the residents of the township.
Cassie Rolon: I am running for Wayne Township Board to bring basic accountability and transparency to the office.
• Live meetings per Indiana state law.
• A simple Facebook page for updates.
• A sublink off of one of the city/county government websites for township information that would include when the meetings are, the live meeting videos, and paperwork for residents to fill out for easier access.
• Dive into whether the cost of living adjustments have been made since 2020 and clarifying who actually qualifies for assistance.
Marco Rolon: I am under 60.
Smith: I'm running for the Wayne Township Board because I believe local government should be accountable to the people it serves. Residents deserve to know how their tax dollars are being used and to have confidence that township resources are managed responsibly.
As a homeowner in Warsaw, I'm invested in the future of our community. Part of responsible financial management is making sure our resources are being used effectively. The trustee's office is currently open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., which raises reasonable questions about accessibility for residents who work traditional hours. While canvassing, I've also found that many of the residents I've spoken with aren't familiar with the office or the services it provides. If people don't know where to turn for help, we should be asking how we can do a better job communicating with them.
More than 1,200 families in our township live in poverty, yet only 35 families received township assistance last year. I believe it's worth examining whether our current approach is reaching the people it's intended to serve.
Fiscal responsibility isn't just about how much money we save. It's also about whether we're getting meaningful results from the resources entrusted to us. I'm running to bring that focus on accountability, accessibility, and practical problem-solving to our township government.
Spangle: I am running for the Wayne Township Board because I believe the township government should focus on serving residents and being responsible with taxpayer dollars. As a detective with the sheriff’s office, public service has been an important part of my career. Serving on the township board has provided another avenue for serving the public and understanding the concerns people face in our community.
As a board, we have worked to keep property tax rates low by using funds on hand to meet township needs rather than unnecessarily increasing the tax burden on residents. I believe it is important to continue making thoughtful financial decisions and using available resources wisely. My goal is to help maintain a township government that is focused on providing essential services while respecting the taxpayers who fund them.
2. What qualifications and/or experiences do you have that make you the best choice to serve in the elected position?
Grubbs: I have served the last four years on the Wayne Township Advisory Board as well as over 40 years serving the City of Warsaw. I would like to continue doing so.
Lewis: For 15 years I have run small and mid-size businesses, in and around Kosciusko County, with full responsibility for budgets in excess of $100 million. Along with this experience in budget oversight, has come significant experience holding people accountable to meet budget restrictions. Like all hard-working families, it is not an option to just overrun our budget and hope money falls from the sky. I want to bring this discipline to an expanded mission for the Wayne Township Board. Lastly, being a tax-paying citizen is the highest qualification for stewarding tax-payer money.
Nash: I am a lifelong resident of Wayne Township and my current career is serving the people of Kosciusko County at the sheriff’s office. I have been involved with the Wayne Township Board since 2010 and in that time I have learned a lot about township government and what it means to the residents of the township. I am the current board president and I enjoy working with the entire board.
Cassie Rolon: I'm a regular person, just like the people I want to represent. I don't have a list of political credentials or special titles, and I'm not going to pretend to be something I'm not.
My qualification is that I'm a taxpayer and a member of this community. I believe public service should be about serving the people, being responsible with their money, asking questions, and making decisions that benefit the community rather than the government itself. I'm willing to do the homework, ask the tough questions, listen to residents, and hold myself accountable for my decisions. I don't believe you need to be a career politician to serve your neighbors. You need to be willing to put in the work, be honest with people, and remember who you work for: the taxpayers.
Marco Rolon: The qualifications that I have are: I am a concerned resident, I am a registered voter, I live in Wayne Township, and meet the applicable legal eligibility requirements for local office. This is all that is required.
Smith: I earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in political communications from Grace College, where I also took courses in local government. My education gave me a foundation in how government operates and how to communicate complex information clearly.
Professionally, I work in the home-service software industry, supporting small businesses and skilled tradespeople who keep our homes and communities running. As a sales manager, I lead a team, analyze performance, solve problems and balance competing priorities. In a previous role, I was also responsible for managing budgets, giving me practical experience with financial planning and resource allocation.
I'm involved in community organizing and volunteer efforts throughout Kosciusko County, where I've learned the importance of listening to residents, building relationships and following through on commitments.
I would bring practical management experience, budget oversight and a commitment to transparency to the board. I believe public service requires asking difficult questions, examining whether existing practices are working and being willing to make improvements when they're needed. I'm prepared to approach township decisions thoughtfully, work collaboratively and remain accountable to the residents who trust us with their tax dollars.
Spangle: I served as the Monroe Township trustee for nearly six years before leaving that position when I moved to Wayne Township. I have now served on the Wayne Township Board for nearly eight years.
My experience in township government has taught me the importance of asking the tough questions to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and directed toward the areas of greatest need. At the same time, township government has an important role in supporting local organizations such as Fellowship Missions and Combined Community Services, our local parks, and maintaining our township cemeteries. I believe in balancing fiscal responsibility with meeting community needs and making decisions that serve the best interests of Wayne Township residents.
3. What do you believe will be the biggest hurdle facing the Wayne Township Board in the next five years and why?
Grubbs: The future of township trustees in the state of Indiana will certainly be changing and I hope that we will be able continue assisting those in need of services.
Lewis: The full legal ramifications of SEA 270 are not yet fully understood. What we do know is that demand for services will only increase while revenue will become further restricted. Doing the right things with these funds and preserving them from the corruption of unaccountable and endless legacy "management" will be key to preserving the future of local assistance, recreation, and emergency services in Wayne Township. Having qualified, contemporary leadership, in touch with current tax-payer needs, will go a long way to ensuring Wayne Township Board provides the best support to citizens of K-County for years to come.
Nash: The biggest hurdle is always going to be financial responsibility. Other hurdles township leaders may be facing is combining township trustee offices or elimination of township government altogether.
Cassie Rolon: I believe one of the biggest hurdles facing Wayne Township over the next five years will be balancing the needs of our community with responsible spending, while also navigating the changing landscape of township government in Indiana.
We have a responsibility to help residents who are struggling, especially during unexpected hardships, while making sure taxpayer dollars are managed efficiently and transparently. At the same time, Indiana is moving toward changes in how some townships are structured and governed. I believe Wayne Township needs to demonstrate the value of local government by being accountable, operating efficiently and staying connected to the people it serves.
As a board member, I would want to make sure we're planning for the future, carefully evaluating our spending, and protecting the township's ability to serve residents. Whatever changes may come at the state level, the needs of our community should remain at the center of every decision.
At the end of the day, we need to make sure we're helping people who genuinely need it while being responsible with taxpayers' money. We have to be able to do both, and I believe that starts with accountability, transparency, and common sense.
Marco Rolon: Budgeting.
Smith: I believe one of the biggest hurdles facing Wayne Township will be navigating potential township consolidation while ensuring our residents' needs remain a priority.
Wayne Township is the largest population center in our county. If consolidation moves forward, we could find ourselves absorbing other townships and taking on additional responsibilities. We need to carefully evaluate the long-term financial implications, the impact on taxpayers, and our ability to continue providing services effectively.
Fiscal responsibility means planning for the future while making informed decisions about today's needs. Whether we're considering consolidation, evaluating spending, or reviewing existing services, we should be able to explain what we're doing, why we're doing it, and how residents benefit.
The challenge will be balancing long-term planning with effective service delivery. I believe that requires transparency, careful financial oversight and a willingness to question existing practices so our township can adapt to changing needs without losing sight of its responsibilities to the community.
Spangle: I believe one of the biggest challenges in the next five years will be maintaining essential township services while adapting to changes in how township government operates in Indiana. With new state legislation establishing a process for evaluating township governments and requiring certain townships to merge or reorganize, it will be important to demonstrate that Wayne Township is effectively managing its responsibilities and taxpayer resources.
As a board, we have worked to keep property tax rates low while continuing to provide emergency assistance and support local organizations, parks and our township cemeteries. Moving forward, we must continue asking the tough questions, planning for future needs and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Our challenge will be balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to provide reliable services as community needs change. I believe the best approach is to remain focused on residents, and ensure Wayne Township continues to serve the community effectively in a constantly changing environment where the current role township governments have may not exist as we know it in five years.
