Incumbent fiscal officer faces challenger in LaGrange Township

Kimberly Carter Age: 45 Education: Accounting and business administration, Lorain County Community College Family: Husband, Ray; four children; German shepherd and a boxer Job history: accounting and office manager, Target Systems Kathy Poling Age: 64 Education: 1977 Keystone High School graduate Family: Husband, Jim; two daughters; four grandchildren Job history: Employed at Moen in Elyria for four years in the cost accounting and shipping departments. I have been in retail since 1982, a small business owner in LaGrange for 13 years, and now I work for my daughter, Erica, and son-in-law, Jeff. Incumbent LaGrange Township fiscal officer Kathy Poling is being challenged for the position by Kimberly Carter. What makes you the best candidate for the position? CARTER: I have been involved with LaGrange Township since 2019. I have been serving as secretary of the Zoning Commission since 2019, secretary of the Board of Zoning Appeals since 2021 and taking meeting minutes for the trustees since the beginning of 2023. As I get more involved and have a better understanding of the township, I have the ability to utilize my skillsets in different areas. With my education, experience and time invested in the township, I feel I can continue to make an impact by being elected as the fiscal officer. POLING: I have been doing the fiscal officer's job for two years. Being a small business owner, you get very good at budgets, handling monies and managing employees. I believe I bring something to the table with my work experiences. What is the biggest challenge facing the township and how would you address it? CARTER: One of the biggest challenges facing the township, along with most townships, is trying to continue to operate within the budgets while dealing with rising costs. Not only do we need to watch the incoming bills for discrepancies, but we need to make sure the township is involved in programs that will help invest and grow the township's money to help manage the rising costs as well as make sure the township takes advantage of every grant opportunity available. POLING: We can start with funding the township. Inflation is felt by everyone, even government entities. This is why the fire/EMS levy on the ballot this year is so important, to be able to keep the 24/7 EMS station staffed and operating. It needs to pass. Please vote yes on Issue 7. Smart decisions made by the elected officials of the township will be critical to help combat the rising costs. The next big challenge I believe is employee recruitment and retention. I will contribute years of experience to help the township with these issues. -- Christina Jolliffe