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German Township Trustee

A Township Trustee is an elected local government official who oversees township services such as township assistance (financial help to residents in need), fire protection, cemetery care, and administration of township funds. They serve four-year terms.

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  • Candidate picture

    Jennifer Robinson
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Bertran Skelton
    (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?

Occupation/Current Position German Township Trustee
Education some college
Campaign Phone 5745200355
Campaign Email Robinson.Jen1963@gmail.com
An important principle when aiding those in need is recognizing that assuming bad faith can create an unnecessary barrier and perpetuate stereotypes that don't reflect the reality of most situations. I believe in approaching each individual with respect and compassion and working together to find the best solutions for their unique circumstance. This means taking the time to listen to their needs and concerns, and tailoring assistance to meet those specific needs by maintaining a non-judgmental approach. I can help build trust and rapport with those in need, creating a more supportive and inclusive community, which leads to a better outcome for everyone involved.
I am responsible for several cemeteries in the township and maintaining them has been an ongoing challenge due to the age of the cemeteries I have already had all the headstones repaired. I am now addressing the issues with the hazardous and aging trees. I am in the process of collecting bids to address the problem. I have had two professional companies come out and assess the problem areas that need removal of aging trees.
I am actively involved with the Clay fire territory. One of our ongoing challenges has been maintaining a competitive pay for our EMT's and firefighters, along with staff, compared with neighboring townships. To address this, we have developed a plan with our participating units to merge with two other fire territories (Penn) and the town of (Osceola). This merger will allow us to better sustain fair and competitive compensation for our first responders; in recognition of the hard and critical work they preform every day.
I have been overseeing the township budget for the past three years. Throughout that time, I have managed the finances in a cost-effective manner, consistently working to keep taxes from increasing. I approach the Township's finances the same way I would manage my own household budget, by being thoughtful and deliberate about every dollar spent, and finding savings wherever possible.
I have been performing these duties for three years and take great pride in being fully transparent with both my board and my constituents. I make all financial and operational records available through a public platform called Gateway, and I have personally invited residents to come to my office to review bank statements and operational costs. I also present the bank statements at each board meeting, which is open to the public.
I host community gatherings four times a year and maintain a personal phone line listed on our township website for residents who wish to contact me directly. I also hold regular meetings at the township hall, which are open and welcoming to all residents who wish to attend.
Community partnerships are essential in times of increased need. I have partnered with Kingdom Business, run by Amos and Barbara Davis, which serves as a valuable resource for food and household products in our community. We are open every Tuesday for members to come in and select through a large assortment of food and hygiene items. Additionally, I open doors on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays during regular business hours for anyone who comes in needing food assistance.
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