Warsaw Police Department records clerk Lynne Christiansen was selected to serve as Warsaw's clerk-treasurer during a caucus Tuesday night.
Other candidates who filed for the seat were Warsaw City Councilman At-Large Kyle Babcock and Kosciusko County Chief Deputy Recorder LaShawn Brumfield. Each candidate had three minutes to speak about why they were seeking the seat.There originally was a 13-member Republican caucus named to select a new clerk-treasurer, but Tuesday's caucus only had 10 members present. Absent caucus members were Karen Swinger, Eric Kelley and Jerry Irvine.
Marsha McSherry and Steve Foster counted the paper ballot votes, and there were three people who served as vote watchers.
The 10 members voted three times, each time resulting in a two-way tie. Each of the three ties were for Babcock and Christiansen as clerk treasurer. Brumfield did not receive any votes.
After the third vote, Randy Girod, Kosciusko County Republican chair, broke the tie and recommended Christiansen serve as clerk- treasurer.
"I felt Lynne was the best candidate for the job of clerk-treasurer because she has more than 20 years of experience in record keeping at WPD," Girod said.
Girod said it was a difficult decision to select a clerk-treasurer because there were three eminently qualified candidates, but in politics only one candidate can prevail.
Christiansen, 51, will replace current clerk treasurer Elaine Call, who announced during the Jan. 19 city council meeting that she is resigning to spend more time with her family and grandchildren. Call's resignation is effective March 5.
Call spoke before the caucus with tears, and said a person is only as good as the people they work with.
"I've worked under two very good mayors and my girls in the office and the council, and I am going to really miss this and it was a hard decision," Call said.
Call said her work as clerk-treasurer has made her feel accomplished and an attribute to the community.
Christiansen has been employed with the city for 26 years.
She was originally hired as the parking control officer and worked her way up to her current position as records clerk.
She said she does not plan on replacing the current clerk's office staff.
"The right person for this job should not be a politician, but a public servant," Christiansen said.
Girod said Christiansen's duties will begin March 5, and she would need to be sworn into by Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins.
Wiggins said Christiansen brings experience to the clerk-treasurer seat having served as WPD's records clerk.
"I'm looking forward to working with Lynne, and obviously Elaine and I had a very long working relationship, and I anticipate that Lynne and I will have the same," Wiggins said. "Certainly the current staff in the clerk's office has been doing a good job and I anticipate she will fit in very well."
Christiansen, a lifelong Warsaw resident, said she feels her duties as records clerk will prepare her for her new role as clerk-treasurer.
Christiansen said she has experience and knowledge in several related areas that will transfer over to the duties of clerk-treasurer.
She said she has had experience in the daily upkeep and preservation of police department records, and said keeping different types of records in precise order is part of the clerk-treasurer's duties.
"As a person who has the knowledge through work and study of how to read, understand, interpret and follow procedure, I can assure the precinct committee members that all proper protocols will be followed regarding the collection and disbursement of funds," Christiansen said.
She also said understanding the role of accounting principles and practices is necessary for success as clerk-treasurer.
"I have knowledge of accounting concepts and will apply them ethically and in accordance with the State Board of Accounts," Christiansen said.
Christiansen's parents are Don and Sally Nichols, who are life-long Warsaw residents, and owned and operated Nick's and Joe's TV for many years.
She said she learned a strong work ethic from her parents and her Uncle Bob Nichols, a former city councilman.
"I learned a strong work ethic, dedication, solid customer service skills and how to work with people from all walks of life," Christiansen said.
In 2008, she received a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership from Goshen College, graduating magna cum laude.
