Two candidates, James Smiley and Joseph Shetler, have filed to fill the vacant position on Milford’s Town Council. A caucus will be held 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2 to decide between the two.

MILFORD — Two candidates, James Smiley and Joseph Shetler, have filed to fill the vacant position on Milford’s Town Council.

Joseph Shetler has been a Milford resident for eight years but has lived in the area for the last 50.

“With my mechanical background and owning a business for 40-some years and trouble-shooting,” said Shetler, “I think I’ve got a lot of experiencing that will help improve things. … A number of people have cornered me saying I would be a good candidate.”

A retired heating and air conditioning contractor, he is also the former building inspector for the town of Milford. Shetler has been involved with the town in some capacity, serving as building inspector or doing other service work, for 30 years. He has also served on the board of the Milford Food Bank.

“I know the people of the town hall, of the town council, I know the police department, I know the street department. I think I’d be a good fit for these people,” Shetler said. “I’m a very practical and supportive type of person, I’m not trying to fix something that’s not broken.”

His ultimate desire in running is to support the town. “Milford is a small town that is doing a great job of governing,” he said. “I want to be there to back it up.”

Jim Smiley, owner of Smiley’s Lawn Service, has been a Milford resident since 2006. He joined the Lions Club “to get more involved with the community and raise more money for the community,” and received the Lion of the Year award last year. This will be his first time running for office.

“I think I can bring a fresh perspective,” said Smiley.

Smiley describes himself as very conservative and interested in growing the town economically. “I think we need to have more business in our town. It brings in more taxes, it brings in more houses. You get more spent at your local restaurants, your local gas station, it helps your community grow,” he explained.

Smiley is also a firm believer in saving money, citing the 2008 recession as an example of why he feels funds should be put away. “Just because you have money now doesn’t mean you need to spend it now,” he said.

A caucus to decide between the two candidates will take place 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, in the Milford Town Council Chamber, 121 S. Main St., Milford, by Mike Ragan, chairman of the Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee.