Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Three Democrats - Rebecca Noftz, Robert C. Osbun and Brian J. Smith - are challenging the three Republican incumbents - Greg Anderson, Robert Warren Bishop and Larry Kammerer - for the three Plain Township Board seats in the November election.
All six 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 Plain Township Board?
Anderson: I am seeking re-election to the Plain Township Board because I want to continue building on the work we have accomplished over the past four years. Serving on the board has given me a firsthand understanding of how township government operates, the responsibility that comes with managing taxpayer dollars and the importance of making decisions that serve our residents.
I believe in keeping taxes as low as possible, spending public funds responsibly and ensuring our township operates efficiently and transparently. My experience working alongside my fellow board members has reinforced the importance of teamwork, accountability, and practical decision-making. I want to continue putting that experience to work for our community, listening to residents, and making informed decisions that serve the best interests of Plain Township.
Bishop: I have served Plain Township for 20 years as a board member, working with three different trustees. I have more experience than any other candidate running for this position, and I understand how township government works and what our community needs.
I have lived in Plain Township for 54 years and grew up just a half mile from where I serve today. This is my community, and I take seriously my responsibility to the people who live here.
I believe in keeping government accountable, spending taxpayer dollars wisely and keeping expenses and property taxes as low as possible. My record reflects that commitment, and I want to continue that work for the next four years.
Kammerer: I am a strong conservative Republican and I have lived in Plain Township my whole life. I am running for re-election because I believe we have done a good job of keeping our tax rate low and our fire department in good shape.
Serving on the township board is a way for me to give back to the community. I have served on the board the last eight years. Our township is in good financial shape. Our board has a good working relationship with our trustee, Craig Charlton, who does a great job performing all of the duties of the township trustee.
Noftz: I am not a politician. I am a community member who has lived and worked here for years.
I decided to run because I have seen a real disconnect between local government and the needs of people in our community. My family and I have stepped in to help individual families with housing, food and financial assistance when they could not find meaningful local assistance. We were fortunate to be able to help, but private citizens should not be the only safety net. People need to know where to go for help, and effective local support should be available when they need it. I want to help close that gap by listening, communicating clearly, making township services easier to understand and access and supporting our firefighters and other essential services.
I believe local government should be accessible, transparent, responsive and careful with taxpayer resources.
Osbun: I am running for Plain Township Board because the government closest to the people should also be the most open to their participation.
Township decisions affect our taxes, fire protection, emergency services, cemeteries and assistance for neighbors facing hardship. Residents deserve a voice and an understanding of how their money is spent.
Yet the trustee and board have effectively shut out the public from their meetings by only publishing notices on the township office door. When four men sit around a table making decisions without public input, it isn’t a participatory government —it’s an exclusive club. Our community deserves a voice in the room.
In addition to not providing a forum for public input, the current board's oversight of the trustee’s office — one of its main responsibilities — has been lacking. Problems identified in the State Board of Accounts audit, and the unquestioning approval of hiring a member of the trustee’s household illustrate why stronger oversight matters.
I attended the meeting where the hiring of a member of the trustee's household as township clerk was approved, yet no board member questioned how that decision best serves taxpayers. The current board members have distinguished themselves in our community, however respect for their service should not prevent us from expecting accountability.
I will advocate for widely shared meeting notices, accessible agendas and minutes, livestreamed meetings, and clear explanations of spending and contracts. Everyone deserves access, including those unable to attend.
Plain Township belongs to all of us. I am running for openness.
Smith: I am running for the Plain Township Board because I believe local government must be proactively transparent, protective of taxpayer dollars, and completely accessible to the people it serves.
As a third-generation Plain Township resident, I care deeply about our community's future. Currently, township government often operates out of the public view, and I want to change that. That begins with educating the public on exactly what the township’s statutory duties are — primarily fire protection and emergency assistance — and promoting true transparency in how those operations are funded.
Protecting those tax dollars requires rigorous oversight. I am running to eliminate conflicts of interest and mandate competitive bidding to rein in expenses, particularly the high cost of our cemetery mowing contracts. Every dollar saved on inflated contracts – one to a current board member’s family member – will ultimately lead to lower property taxes.
We know that middle-class Hoosiers are struggling right now. From double-digit percentage increases in utility bills to higher grocery costs, and rising gas prices, many families are finding it harder to make ends meet. I want to modernize our township assistance programs. By simplifying the request process and proactively communicating with the public, we can more efficiently deploy resources to support the most vulnerable members of our community.
Alongside my fellow candidates, Rebecca Noftz and Robert Osbun, my goal is to deliver true accountability through transparent government, build meaningful access through community outreach and take concrete action by modernizing how we help our neighbors.
2. What qualifications and/or experiences do you have that make you the best choice to serve in the elected position?
Anderson: I am a proud Republican, and I believe in responsible spending, limited government and accountability to taxpayers. Over the past four years, I have gained valuable experience in township finances, budgeting and the decisions that affect the services our residents depend on.
Serving on the board has taught me the importance of looking carefully at expenditures, asking the right questions, and balancing the needs of our community with our responsibility to taxpayers.
Township board decisions are a collective responsibility, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished together. I understand the issues facing our township, the financial considerations behind our decisions and the importance of working collaboratively to find practical solutions.
I believe experience matters. I have learned how township government operates and what it takes to manage public resources responsibly. I want to continue applying that knowledge to help keep taxes low, protect essential services and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
Bishop: I am a Republican, and I am proud of it. I have served on the Plain Township Board for 20 years, and I believe my experience and record make me the best candidate for the next four years.
During my time on the board, we negotiated an agreement with the Lutheran Health Network to provide our ambulance service at no cost to the township, saving taxpayers $150,000 a year.
I have also served as a volunteer firefighter for 28 years. I understand firsthand how important it is to keep our fire department properly equipped and in the best possible condition. I am committed to making sure our first responders have the resources they need to serve our community
We have worked hard to keep our tax rate as low as possible, lowering it each of the past four years and several years before that. I also believe in helping residents who are struggling. Our township assistance program is an important resource, and I will work to ensure we continue helping those who need it while remaining responsible with taxpayer dollars.
My priorities are simple: keep taxes low, protect essential services, help residents in need and make sure township government remains accountable to the people it serves.
Kammerer: Having served on the Plain Township over the past years is a big plus. It takes a while to learn about and the difference between township fund, township fire fund, cumulative fire and the rainy day fund. We also have to budget township assistance.
I have been on the County Extension Board, 4-H Council and church boards. They all have financial responsibility being on their boards. I have been a farmer for over 50 years and being responsible for the financial matters of the farm.
Noftz: I bring 24 years of experience in Warsaw’s medical device industry, working in engineering, project leadership and regulatory affairs. I have led local and global teams, managed complex projects and competing priorities, served on business and site leadership teams, and worked with U.S. and international regulatory authorities. That experience has taught me how to listen, weigh evidence, manage risk, explain complicated issues clearly and make practical decisions.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from the University of Toledo. I have lived in Plain Township since 2004 and am raising three children here. I support local charities that help feed children, and my family regularly helps stock the Leesburg food pantry.
I would bring both professional leadership experience and a strong commitment to this community to the Board.
Osbun: I earned a B.A. from Hanover College and an M.A. from the University of Denver. My professional experience includes serving as vice president and branch manager for Charles Schwab & Co. in Campbell, Calif,; Tucson, Ariz,; and Honolulu, Hawaii. That experience prepared me to evaluate financial information, manage responsibilities, listen carefully and make thoughtful decisions — skills I will bring to reviewing township spending and providing responsible oversight.
But what matters most to me is a simple belief: when a neighbor needs a helping hand, we should do what we can to help. That is something I have always tried to practice whenever possible.
Township government should reflect that same commitment. Residents deserve officials who are approachable, willing to listen, and responsive to their concerns. They deserve careful stewardship of their tax dollars and a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their community.
I will bring both my professional experience and my commitment to helping neighbors to the Plain Township Board. To me, public service means showing up, asking thoughtful questions and remembering that every decision affects real people.
Smith: I am a graduate of Valparaiso University with a degree in International Economics and Cultural Affairs. For the past 12 years, I have worked in the private sector for Parker Hannifin. My daily work in a laboratory requires an immense attention to detail — a strict discipline I will bring directly to the township board to ensure our tax dollars are spent efficiently and contracts are properly scrutinized.
Right now, Plain Township is facing an unprecedented turning point. Recent state legislation mandates that our township be evaluated for potential forced consolidation by late 2026. We cannot afford a passive board during this process. I am running because I want to bring my professional background in data analytics to our local government so we can rigorously audit our operations and negotiate from a position of strength.
Politically, I have served as Kosciusko County Democratic Party Chairman and Chairman of Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic Party. Through these leadership positions, I have seen townships all across north-central Indiana implement new and creative ways to better serve their constituents. My goal is to take the very best of those ideas and implement them right here in Plain Township.
3. What do you believe will be the biggest hurdle facing the Plain Township Board in the next five years, and why?
Anderson: One of the biggest challenges facing the Plain Township Board over the next five years will be responding to changes in state law and new requirements imposed on local government. These changes can affect township budgets, reporting requirements, and the services we provide, sometimes with limited time or additional resources to implement them.
Our responsibility is to understand these changes, plan carefully, and meet our obligations without placing unnecessary burdens on taxpayers or disrupting the services residents depend on. That requires staying informed, communicating with state officials, and working together as a board to make sound decisions.
Public safety, responsible spending, and maintaining essential services must remain priorities. I will continue working with my fellow board members to ensure Plain Township is prepared for future challenges while remaining accountable to the residents we serve.
Thank you for your support. I would appreciate your vote November 3rd.
Bishop: One of the biggest challenges facing Plain Township is the ongoing push to eliminate township government in Indiana.
Township government works best when decisions are made close to home by people who understand the community. When local residents have a say in how their tax dollars are spent, they have a better opportunity to hold their elected officials accountable.
I believe eliminating township government would put local decision-making at risk. I want to preserve the ability of Plain Township to respond directly to the needs of our residents.
I am also concerned about the growing need for township assistance. More people are asking for help, and I believe we have a responsibility to help as many residents as we can while managing those resources carefully.
I will continue fighting to keep our tax rate as low as possible, protect the services our residents depend on and ensure township funds are spent responsibly.
Thank you for taking the time to read my responses. I would appreciate your vote on Nov. 3, 2026.
Kammerer: With the Senate Enrolled Act 270, we are not sure what the future of township government will look like. At this point Plain Township is large enough we won’t have to consolidate with another township.
If we have to make changes in the future, we will do our best to keep all essential services provided for our residents. This is one of our biggest concerns of the board.
Another hurdle down the road might be our volunteer fire department. Will we have adequate number of volunteers during the day to fight fires? Right now, we have a number of firemen but, will we in five years? My hope is we stay a volunteer fire station and not have to add paid staff.
Noftz: The biggest hurdle will be keeping residents informed and engaged as the township’s needs change. People should understand what the board does, how decisions are made, what services are available and where to go for help. That information must also reach residents who face technology, transportation or other access barriers.
At the same time, the board will need to balance assistance programs, support for firefighters and other essential services, and long-term financial responsibility. Clear communication, regular outreach and genuine opportunities for residents to be heard will be essential to building trust and making sound decisions.
Osbun: The biggest hurdle facing the Plain Township Board over the next five years will be navigating merger and tax pressures while protecting essential services and preserving our independence.
As the state continues to push township consolidation, Plain Township needs a strong voice making the case that an independent township can remain efficient, financially responsible and accountable to its residents. Any merger proposal should be thoroughly examined, but our first responsibility should be to protect Plain Township’s ability to make its own decisions and preserve local control over the services and resources our residents depend on.
We also face continued development pressure, particularly from large-scale data center proposals. Plain Township residents have already made their voices heard. They value our farmland, rural character, natural resources and quality of life, and Brian Smith, Rebecca Noftz and I will continue to stand with them.
That does not mean opposing development. It means supporting responsible growth that strengthens our community without sacrificing farmland, overburdening infrastructure, or changing the rural character that makes Plain Township special.
Brian Smith, Rebecca Noftz and I are the team needed to give residents a strong, independent voice as these pressures increase. We will fight for transparency, responsible spending, local control, thoughtful development and the right of Plain Township residents to shape the future of their own community.
Smith: The biggest hurdle facing the Plain Township Board over the next five years will be reining in excessive spending, specifically concerning the multi-year Capital Improvement Plan, outlined at the last budget meeting, which totals $1,906,304 in new spending through 2029.
While adequately funding emergency services is crucial, this proposed plan contains significant non-essential spending. For example, it proposes spending $50,000 in 2027 on a new roof and the purchase of 10 acres for a Township Community Center. It also plans to spend $200,000 to construct the community center building in 2029, alongside another $50,000 allocated for "Pickle Ball Courts at New Facility." Before proceeding on any of these spending “wish list” items, I believe we need to have more citizen input.
If these projects do indeed go forward, the township board's primary challenge will be providing the rigorous fiscal oversight needed to overhaul this capital plan. We must eliminate unnecessary expenditures, mandate competitive bidding, and ensure that every tax dollar is focused entirely on delivering the essential, core services our residents rely on.
