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Warren Township Board Member, St. Joseph County {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

The Township Board, also called the Township Advisory Board, is an elected group that oversees township finances and operations. Members review and approve the township budget, monitor spending, and help ensure that services provided by the township meet community needs.

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  • Candidate picture

    Betty Kolacz
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Brianna Kosinski
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Bobby Kruszynski
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Wendy Lu Yuhasz
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Robert Price
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Scott Searfoss
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

Why did you decide to run for this position as a township board member?

The township trustee is entrusted with distribution of poor relief. What assistance and advice will you provide to help the trustee carry out this responsibility?

What is the biggest issue or challenge facing your township right now, and how will you go about trying to resolve or address it?

What skills do you offer as a board member? Will you bring strengths in accounting, record keeping, public relations, or something else? What role do you see yourself playing on the board?

As an elected official, how will you make yourself accessible to township residents? How can constituents contact you about matters of concern, and what steps will you take to proactively solicit resident feedback?

Township advisory boards have recently played a role in approving fire territory mergers aimed at improving service but raising concerns about costs. What role should the advisory board play in balancing service improvements with potential tax increases?

Township advisory boards are responsible for approving budgets and holding public meetings, yet public engagement often varies widely depending on the issue. What steps would you take to improve transparency and encourage more consistent community participation in township decision-making?

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Education Attended Purdue University, Graduate, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Campaign Email bprice93@att.net
Occupation/Current Position Retired
Campaign Phone 574-250-8716
Warren Township has been my home for 35+years. Two of my adult children are residents of Warren Township. I am concerned about the future for our residents. The westward expansion in St Joseph County will continue to impact our quality of life. I’m concerned that we have a vacant school within our boundaries. I’m concerned about the impact that SB/SEA 270 will have on our township. The bill, which is effective in 2027, calls for the elimination or consolidation of townships government which can’t provide adequate fire protection, poor relief and other necessary services for their residents. I believe that we are doing a good job in providing those services at present; however, we must be postured to deal with increasing demand for service.
I will help the trustee direct township resources to those who most need help. Poor relief is one of the key indicators which SB/SEA 270 considers when determining of a township government's viability. We should have a relief program as strong as our resources will permit.
Traffic and environmental impact associated with industrial and residential growth in the western part of St Joseph County. It is imperative that township boards stay in touch with what's going on at higher levels of local government and provide input to local leaders. We can't stop progress, but we can help manage it.
I’ve served successfully in numerous leadership positions during my Army career. I have experience in project management, budgeting development and public speaking. I have more than 25 years of experience in the fire service, first as a volunteer firefighter, and then as a fire inspector and investigator. I’ve also served as a Reserve Police Officer with the St. Joseph County Police for more than 15 years, the last 8 years of which I have been the Commander of the Reserve unit. I’ve also worked in private industry as Director of Operations and Safety for a local manufacturing firm.
I can be contacted any time by email. I also plan to regularly attend various public functions within the township. I will also seek feedback from township residents as I meet them throughout the year.
The adage that 'you get what you pay for' applies here. I understand the rules and regulations that govern the modern fire service. I hope to help the trustee and other members of the board, as well as township residents, understand the consequences, good or bad, regarding future territory mergers or changes in levels of service. Changes can impact homeowner insurance rates as well as property taxes.
I will make sure the township website is maintained, with all agendas, schedules, and minutes posted publicly on the website in a timely manner. I will work to establish a township presence on Facebook as a means of posting notices of meetings and other significant events and issues affecting our township.
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