Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
With a background in agriculture, business and community leadership, Kyle Tom, 48, Warsaw, has declared his candidacy for the open Kosciusko County Council at-large seat.
The position became open Monday, Jan. 12 after the resignation of attorney John Barrett due to the number of conflicts of interest he would have as a public defender. Barrett was elected by a Republican caucus Jan. 6 to serve on the council after the resignation of DeLynn Geiger, effective Dec. 12, due to his desire to spend more time with family.
Tom is the second person to file for the post after local attorney Will Stockdale filed earlier this week.
In a telephone interview today, while Tom was at the farm show in Fort Wayne, he explained why he decided to run for the council seat.
“With DeLynn Geiger deciding to retire from the seat, I felt that there was a need for somebody that is a fiscally responsible conservative to be in this seat, so we can make sure our taxes are spent in the correct way,” he said. “We all pay enough in taxes and nobody wants to see our taxes go up, but we also want to make sure our roads and infrastructures are being dealt with and our money is not just being wasted on (frivolous stuff).”
Tom has not held an elected office before. He did run to be a state delegate previously, but he said that’s not the same thing as running for the county council.
“I figured with my family’s heritage in public service, and with my roots being in Kosciusko County my whole life and my family has been here since 1837, what better time to step up and try to fill a void. There’s big shoes to fill, but I feel like it’s the right time to do it,” he stated.
Serving on the county council can require much of a person’s time. Tom said he feels he can have the time to fulfil the obligations of a councilman.
“You only have as much time as you put forth. I’m involved in numerous different companies, but I feel that I can fulfill the hours as needed. I feel confident I can fill this void,” he said.
There are six other members on the county council. Tom said he knows every single person on the board, some better than others.
“I will not agree with everybody on every single decision, but that’s how we are supposed to work. I’m not going to go in there as a ‘yes’ man ‘cause that’s not what the constituents would want me to do, is just approve everything. I do my own due diligence and make sure that I’m doing what’s right for our community and our tax dollars,” he stated.
Kyle and Angie Tom have been married for 24 years and have raised three sons in this community.
The Republican caucus for the council seat will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 in the old courtroom of the Kosciusko County Courthouse.
The council member shall be elected by a secret ballot of the majority of the voting caucus members to fill the office vacancy. Candidates must reside in Kosciusko County and be a Republican in good standing.
Declarations of candidacy are available at the office of the Kosciusko County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw, and must be filed with Kosciusko County Republican Party Chairman Mike Ragan no later than 72 hours before the start of the caucus. Ragan’s phone number is 574 -265-1430.
Eligible candidates will be allowed a maximum of three minutes to address the voting caucus.
