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Centre Township Trustee

The Township Trustee serves as the executive officer of the township and is responsible for administering local government services at the township level. In St. Joseph County, trustees oversee township assistance programs for residents in need, including emergency financial aid for housing, utilities, food, and burial expenses as permitted by Indiana law.The trustee manages the township budget, maintains township properties and cemeteries, and may oversee or help fund fire protection and emergency services in the township. The trustee works with the elected Township Advisory Board, which approves budgets and certain expenditures.This is a single-seat office elected to a four-year term. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in the general election wins.

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  • Candidate picture

    Ron Baker
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Misty Bozman
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Judith Galloway
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

The township trustee is entrusted with distribution of poor relief. What is your overall philosophy about this service, and how would you treat applicants?

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

The trustee must have a good working relationship with the township, municipal, or county fire department, to ensure fire protection for residents and businesses in the township. Do you already have this relationship or, if you don’t, how would you go about securing and maintaining it?

Trustees must prepare an annual financial report for the township board. What budgeting and accounting skills do you have, and what is your experience/expertise in this area?

A township trustee is legally responsible for managing all township property, keeping a written record of official proceedings and keeping those records open for public inspection. What experiences have prepared you to provide this type of record keeping service to the township?

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?

Local organizations and township officials have recently warned about increasing demand for food and utility aid following cuts to the SNAP program. How should township trustees respond when demand for assistance rises, but resources are limited?

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Education Indiana University
Campaign Phone 5742299900
Candidate video
Campaign Email mistybozman@yahoo.com
Historically, the township trustee was known as the Overseer of the Poor. Under Indiana law, one of the oldest and most important duties of the trustee is caring for residents in hardship. Today, that means administering township assistance fairly, responsibly, and with dignity. Helping the poor and disadvantaged would be one of my primary statutory responsibilities. The township trustee was never meant to be just an officeholder, but to ensure no neighbor is abandoned in a time of need.

My philosophy is simple: this duty should be carried out with compassion, fairness, and accountability. Applicants should be treated with respect, not judgment, and each case should receive a timely, fair, and lawful review. The goal is to help people regain stability while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
One of the biggest challenges facing our township is adapting to major changes in township government across Indiana. Governor Mike Braun recently signed legislation requiring many townships statewide to merge, consolidate services, or reorganize in the years ahead. These changes are being driven by budget pressures, efficiency goals, and demands for greater accountability. In this environment, Centre Township needs visible, efficient, forward-looking leadership that protects services while adapting to new realities.

My approach would be to protect the services residents rely on while modernizing operations, improving communication, pursuing smart partnerships that stretch taxpayer dollars, while always keeping Centre Township’s needs first.
I am deeply rooted in Centre Township, my home for nearly 30 years, and I am raising my family here. Having experienced fire loss myself, I know firsthand how devastating it can be, and I am passionate about the safety and future of this community, understanding that strong public safety partnerships are essential to protecting residents and businesses.

Known for building relationships, maintaining connections, and bringing people together through an outgoing and approachable personality, if elected, I would build and maintain a strong working relationship with the fire department by bringing communication into the next generation through a stronger online presence. My focus would be simple: support effective emergency response, value the expertise of our firefighters, protect taxpayers, and always put community safety first.
Taxpayers deserve confidence that township funds are managed responsibly, reported clearly, and directed to legitimate public needs.

I bring strong administrative and analytical skills relevant to budgeting and oversight. My background includes experience administering a church, where organization, budgeting, record keeping, and responsible stewardship were essential. I am comfortable reviewing expenditures, tracking obligations, maintaining documentation, and ensuring records are complete and accurate. My education at Indiana University South Bend helped cultivate the analytical and critical-thinking skills necessary to serve effectively as township trustee and produce timely, transparent financial reports.
For a township trustee, accurate record keeping is not a minor administrative duty, it is critical for transparency and accountability. Accurate records protect the public, support legal compliance, and ensure continuity from one administration to the next.

My experience has prepared me for this responsibility through strong organization, attention to detail, and responsible stewardship. I am comfortable maintaining files, tracking documentation, managing deadlines, and keeping records complete, orderly, and accessible. My education at Indiana University South Bend has also prepared me to meet challenges and solve problems.

If elected, I would implement clear systems for official proceedings, township records, and property records using modern, efficient practices that improve access while safeguarding important information.
Improving visibility and communication would be a day-one priority for me. Accessibility and responsiveness should be basic expectations of public service. Residents should know who represents them, how to reach the office, and that their concerns will receive a timely response.

If elected, I would make the township office easy to contact through phone, email, regular office hours, and an updated online presence with clear information about services, forms, and meetings. I would also proactively seek feedback through community outreach and regular communication that invites public input. My commitment is simple: to be present, approachable, and responsive to the people I serve.
When demand for assistance rises and resources are limited, the trustee must respond with compassion, sound judgment, and responsible stewardship. Centre Township includes a significant senior population, and my years of experience working with seniors and nonprofits would be valuable in meeting those needs.

I would help seniors navigate available benefits, connect residents with food, utility, and other assistance, and ensure resources are directed fairly to those with the greatest need under the law. I would also build strong partnerships with local organizations to multiply the impact of township dollars. People seeking help should be treated with dignity and respect while maintaining accountability to taxpayers.
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