Lynne Christiansen is the third candidate to file for the Warsaw clerk-treasurer seat.
Christiansen filed her candidacy today for the position currently held by Elaine Call, who announced her resignation at the city council's Jan. 19 meeting.
Call will continue to serve until March 5 to complete year-end annual reports.At-Large Warsaw City Councilman Kyle Babcock and Kosciusko County Chief Deputy Recorder LaShawn Brumfield also have filed for the seat.
A caucus will be Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Warsaw council chambers to select someone to serve the remainder of Call's term.
A candidate must file his or her declaration of candidacy for a vacant office to be filled by a political party caucus (form CEB-5) with Randy Girod, Kosciusko County Republican chairman, by Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.
The form is available at the Kosciusko County clerk's office.
Christiansen, 51, currently holds the position of records clerk for the Warsaw Police Department.
She has been employed with the city 26 years.
In her current position with the police department, she has been responsible for the proper maintenance of the department's records, implementing new methods as Indiana statues and technology change while still meeting daily deadlines.
She said she is very knowledgeable on the Indiana guidelines for public access, and will not hesitate to provide information that may be asked of her office.
Christiansen said Call and Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins have a strong working relationship, and she will continue that professionalism along with becoming better acquainted with other department heads and the council.
She said the current staff is a great asset, and she has no plans to change the personnel.
"I really look forward to working with them and serving the citizens of Warsaw in a new capacity," Christiansen said.
"I am a life-long resident of Warsaw, and while I may be new in seeking an elected position, politics is not a stranger in my family."
Her uncle, Robert Nichols, served as a city councilman from 1980 until his death in 1985.
He mentored many candidates and officials of the Republican Party and she said she knows that he would be proud of her decision to seek this office.
In 2008, she received a bachelor of science degree in organizational leadership from Goshen College, graduating magna cum laude.
The intense and comprehensive education she received from Goshen College qualifies her for a position of servant leadership in our community, she said.
She has received the American Legion Annual Outstanding Law Enforcement Award for the achievement of excellence in service to the law enforcement family of Kosciusko County.
She is a member of First United Methodist Church, Warsaw, where she has participated in several mission trips, served in the Community Kitchen, and helped in greeting and guiding members and visitors at Sunday services.
With her past years of service, recent completion of her education, and her passion for volunteerism she feels that she has the experience to serve Warsaw and it's citizens to their full expectation.
