Kim Cates Seeks Re-election To County Council At-Large Seat
Kim Cates Seeks Re-election To County Council At-Large Seat
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Staff Report-
Kim Cates Seeks Re-election To County Council At-Large SeatKimberly Cates, Kosciusko County Council at-large member, announced she is seeking re-election.
“As a dedicated public servant, I am excited to seek to retain my seat on the Kosciusko County Council as an at-large member. I have had the privilege to serve the remaining term of former Council President Bob Sanders, and the honor of serving with an amazing team of council members,” she said in a provided news release.
Before Cates served on the council, she served on the Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board as a six-year member, the Turkey Creek Township Fire Territory Advisory Board as president for six years and other local, state and international boards of directors and committees.
Her professional background is in tax and marketing. She has been a delegate to the Indiana State Republican Convention five times and has filed again for the upcoming year. She’s been a Republican precinct chair for over 12 years and was one of six at-large delegates representing Indiana at the National Federation of Republican Women’s Convention in 2019.
“I diligently work and represent those I serve. With a proven track record of the ability to work with other council members, board members, residents, local government agencies, associations, officials, unions and businesses for the betterment of our community, I am a full-time county council ‘at-large’ member, and I continuously work with others to resolve the issues facing Kosciusko County,” she said.
Cates said she believes in small, frugal government with local control. With over 30 years of small business ownership and local government experience, she is a proponent of less regulation, and brings a business perspective along with conservative values to the council. After listening to many in the county, she said the best representation is one that mirrors the ideas and values that the county holds dear.
“Our community needs council members who share our values and are willing to spend time outside of the monthly meetings to research, meet with department heads, business leaders, constituents, listen, attend economic related meetings and make tough fiscal choices. Our county needs someone to be approachable, accountable and visible to those served. Families, education, infrastructure, economic stability, along with less government control are high on my priority list. It is a privilege to serve you and feel I am well suited to continue this work in our county as I will continue to place our values as a priority,” she said.
Cates is “pro-life” and serves on the area’s Opioid Crisis “Call to Action” Committee and on other nonprofit Humanitarian Boards of Directors. In her frequent conversations with local law enforcement, government fiscal bodies and social services agencies, she said each reports the opioid/meth crisis is already costing the community hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as destroying precious lives and families.
“An ongoing personal goal of mine is to support programs of recovery and lessen addiction and abuse overall,” she said.
Kosciusko County must be forward thinking and strategic in planning infrastructure, according to her release. The planning, building, and maintenance of roads and bridges is critical and necessary in the county’s strategic planning and must be considered both as a priority and as an economic tool to maintain our quality of life, safety, education and workforce.
“Attending the U.S. 30 coalition, MACOG (Michiana Area Councils of Government), AIC (Association of Indiana Counties) and AIC legislative meetings, along with other regional economic development meetings keeps me in touch with our community’s pulse and the region’s future plans. I have and will continue to advocate to responsibly fund beneficial programs for our area,” she said.
She said the county is blessed with many job openings. As a member of KEDCo (Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation) executive team, Cates works with employers, educators, farmers and institutions to help qualify citizens for local positions.
“Working together with other elected officials and business owners to support job skills training and education geared to benefit rapid job placement is an urgent task that will benefit both individuals and businesses,” she said.
As a life member of the National Rifle Association and an active member of the local “Friends of the NRA” event and fundraising committee, Cates said she will continue to fight for the constitutional rights.
As a supporter of first responders, she said she knows it is critical they receive the utmost consideration in budget planning, and she has a proven record of supporting their needs within the community.
“I am asking for your support in this primary election,” Cates said.
Cates said she welcomes people to contact her via email at Kimberlydcates@gmail.com.
