MILFORD — “I will try to do the very best I can for the town,” stated Kenneth “Ken” L. Long, who was elected by VanBuren Township Precinct Committeemen, Tuesday evening at a Republican town caucus. Long signed the oath of office immediately following the caucus and will hit the ground running.

Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Ragan congratulates Ken Long on his election win.

Long defeated town resident Joe Shetler for the town council seat vacated by the resignation of Joellen Free, that was effective the end of May. Long will attend his first town council meeting Thursday evening when the council begins its work on the 2020 budget.

“I’ve thankfully have been attending (town council meetings) regularly the last couple of years, so I’m a little bit aware of what is going on. Now the budget I’ve never delved into very much. So it will be new and interesting.”

Both candidates were given three minutes to address the precinct committeemen prior to votes being cast.

Kenneth “Ken” Long

Long noted he undertook the candidacy at the “urging of some people. I have been a resident almost 15 years, lived in VanBuren for 40 years. Milford always has been home, even when I was on Dewart Lake.” Long stated he wants to ensure Milford continues to be Milford, Indiana. “I think the town has done a very good job maintaining the quality of life in town, maintaining the town itself to a high standard compared to some areas around us,” Long stated.

“I want to see wise choices made. Let the people of town know they can come to the board, speak to the board with anything they need to have done,” he stated. “I want to see this town continue to be a very nice small town, the people live here enjoy living here and maybe people want to move here and live here in Milford,” he concluded.

Having the option to be introduced by a person of his choice, Shetler had Becky Doll make his introduction. Doll noted Shetler’s business, his wife and children and his active work in Milford Chapel. She noted his countless mission trips, mostly to Jamaica, and the purchasing of his home in Milford. “So he has an interest in the town, in the spirit of giving, listening and will serve the town well. I am thankful for a man of Joe’s character willing to devote time and knowledge for the position on the board. He will be very approachable. The town of Milford will be blessed to have him serve in this capacity, especially with his knowledge of contracting.”

Joe Shetler

Shetler noted his life has been “characterized as a man of service.” He noted his business was largely a service business, and the service he provided when he spent time in the Congo of Africa, Jamaica, Haiti and Milford. He noted he had served as superintendent of the vacation Bible school program at Milford Chapel for over 25 years, as well as his service on various committees within the church and charitable organizations. “I have served in the town of Milford as building commissioner for 30 plus years. I think I’m a practical, common sense type of person, a person who thinks if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. At the same time with advance planning avoid times of emergency problems … Approachable type of person. Listen to people, listen to what people try to tell me.”

Shetler recognized and expressed appreciation to the various departments in the town for their service and pleasantness. “We have a nice town, with a great bunch of people. I hope to continue my service with the wisdom God grants me and contribution to the town of Milford.”

The votes from precinct committeemen Steve Tucker, John Beer and Dr. Bruce Lamb, were counted by Steve Foster, Warsaw, and Jack Wilhite, Warsaw Town Council member. The caucus was presided over Mike Ragan, Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee Chairman.

Ken Long signs his oath of office under the supervision of Kosciusko County Republican Secretary Austin Rovenstine.