Lori Fisher is the new face of the treasurer’s office in Addison Township after being sworn in at noon on Sept. 27.
‘I’m very interested in being a part of the board and serving the residents of Addison Township,? Fisher said. ‘I think the board has a nice compatibility (amongst its members) and I would be proud to be a part of that.?
The township board voted unanimously at the Sept. 26 special meeting to appoint Fisher as treasurer until Nov. 20.
After paying respects to the passing of former Treasurer Dan Alberty, who died Aug. 28 after a long and valiant with cancer, Supervisor Bruce Pearson said it was important to separate Alberty’s death and the appointment of a new treasurer.
‘We all miss Dan and we will continue to miss Dan, but at this point we must continue to move forward as the law dictates what we as a board must do,? he said.
While Pearson wanted to hold off appointing anybody to the treasurer seat and just wait for the election, after a lengthy discussion with legal council, he said the law does not allow them to do so.
‘The law states, we shall appoint,? he said.
According to the law, the township had 45 days to make that appointment, making the deadline Oct. 11. Pearson presented the board with three options.
‘We could ignore election law, ignore attorney’s advice, and also ignore the oath of office to uphold the law,? he said. ‘Two, we could advertise for the position in the paper next week, conduct meetings and appoint based on that information.?
Pearson said a third option would be to appoint a temporary treasurer who does not want the position, but would cover the remainder of Alberty’s term. Even after all the press coverage concerning the matter, Pearson said Fisher was the only one who filed as a write-in candidate for treasurer in the Nov. 6 election and showed interest in the position.
‘In my opinion, based on the options available, this is the responsible action – to appoint the person interested in the position,? he said. ‘This appointment does not change the November election write-in. Residents may still file. We encourage filing, but we, the township, must comply with the election law and appoint a treasurer.?
Clerk Pauline Bennett said she did receive many phone calls but the majority were questions on how to elect the treasurer and the process for a write-in candidate.
‘I did have one person call and inquire about running for the treasurer’s position, (but) that person has not come forward to file,? she said. ‘Based on the time frame for the election it would be nice to pass on the appointment altogether, but I do agree with our attorney that the law does say ‘thou shall appoint? and to date we only have one interested candidate who is Lori Fisher.?
Trustee John Boehmer agreed it was a good idea.
‘It seems the law is pretty clear as to our responsibility as a township board,? added Boehmer. ‘I would recommend we follow what the law states and what our duties are to the township and the state for that matter and appoint somebody.?
After her appointment, Fisher said she’s happy to be given the position.
‘It’s in the forefront of my mind that this opportunity comes to me by someone else’s misfortune,? she said. ‘But there is a job that needs to be done and moving forward I will do my absolute best to represent the township.?
Fisher said she is also keeping in mind that the position is temporary until November and there is still a write-in campaign, which she hopes to win.
‘For Addison Township treasurer there will be a blank line on the ballot and they will actually need to write-in a name,? she said.
Fisher also asked current Deputy Treasurer April Alberty to remain on staff. She has agreed to do so.