(From left) Lu Ann Kissinger, wife; Michael Kissinger, Kosciusko County Surveyor; and Tyler Kissinger, son.
(Photo by Alyssa Richardson)

Kosciusko County Republicans met tonight, Aug. 19, to hold a caucus for the Kosciusko County Surveyor position. The caucus was held as a result of the recent resignation of former county surveyor Richard Kemper, effective Aug. 14.

Two candidates submitted a declaration of candidacy with the Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Randall Girod. Kosciusko County Counsel Vice Chairman James R. Moyer and Assistant County Surveyor Michael E. Kissinger were both given three minutes to speak to the 44 precinct committeemen and women in attendance. Kissinger was announced the winner of the election with his role of county surveyor effective immediately.

Kissinger was first to speak as he was the first to submit a declaration of candidacy. He was introduced by Kemper, who noted though Indiana does not require a state issued professional surveyor license, he could not stress enough how important he believed the license to be for the position. Because of that, Kemper noted he strongly supported Kissinger’s run for surveyor as he was the only candidate to hold a license.

In addition, Kissinger noted many projects undertaken by the county surveyor required a state licensed individual to oversee the project. Kissinger explained the surveyor is responsible for 1,100 miles of county regulated drain maintenance as well 2,500 miles of section corners. With 33 years experience as the assistant surveyor, Kissinger noted he had often fulfilled the duties of the county surveyor and would be capable of seamlessly transitioning into the position.

Moyer spoke next, explaining his love of history and government as a driving force behind his life pursuit of county and surveyor knowledge. Moyer’s high school passion for these topics led him to study land surveying in college and pursue numerous positions with surveyors’ offices. Moyer noted he had worked in over 21 counties alongside numerous county surveyors. In addition, he had worked in the private sector as a surveying crew supervisor.

Moyer explained he also worked alongside Kemper in the past as a drainage surveyor. His love of county history and survey work encouraged him to become more involved in the community, leading him to become Kosciusko County Counsel Vice Chairman.

A spirit of friendship and respect was noted between both candidates as well as Kemper.

The speeches concluded and votes were cast. Both party’s watchers, Ed Rock, director of emergency management in Kosciusko County, and Tyler Kissinger, son of Michael Kissinger, followed the appointed counters, Larry Ladd and Steve Foster to determine the vote. After the count was concluded, Kissinger was announced as the newly appointed Kosciusko County Surveyor.

Kissinger will serve the remainder of Kemper’s term, which officially concludes December of 2015. He noted he plans to rerun for the position in January of 2016.

(From left) Michael Kissinger and James Moyer both ran for a position as county surveyor during tonight’s caucus.