Chauncey Smith is sworn in as a Pierceton Town Council member by Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee Secretary Austin Rovenstine following a June 20 caucus. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — Chauncey Smith was chosen to fill the vacant seat on the Pierceton Town Council during a caucus on Thursday, June 20.

This is Smith’s first time in public office. He, Gregory Chism, and Jerry Kreger all filed declarations of candidacy for the position.

The vacancy resulted from former council member Eric Trump submitting his letter of resignation from the council on May 20, citing health issues as his reason for stepping down.

Smith works for the Kosciusko County Highway Department and has lived in the Pierceton area for 28 years. He and his wife moved into town limits two years ago. Smith also served on the Pierceton Fire Department for 17 years, retiring from the department two years ago.

Prior to the vote taking place, each candidate gave a brief speech about their reasons for seeking the position.

“I love this town,” said Smith. “There’s nothing better than this little town. I want to help Pierceton grow and get more businesses going. I want to listen to everybody and make things better. It takes a team. It’s not an ‘I’. It never should be an ‘I’, it should always be a ‘we’.”

After the speeches, votes were cast by precinct committeemen Frank Rhoades and Tom Pletcher, and vice precinct committeeman Mike Miner, a proxy by precinct committeewoman Gloria Miner.

Following the vote, Smith was sworn in by Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee Secretary Austin Rovenstine.