Jul 07
Rosie Coyle Interview
Interview with City-Clerk Treasurer Rosie Coyle
How long have you served as Columbia City Clerk-Treasurer and why did you run for the position in the first place?
I am just finishing my 6th term (24 years) I started working in the Clerk-Treasurer’s office 42 years ago and worked under Clerk Treasurer Franklin Dillman. I really admired him for his work ethics and he taught me a lot of what the job entailed. He was defeated in 1975. In 1983 I was approached by the Republicans to run for this office. I was already doing a lot of the work so I agreed to run and won. I have been in this position ever since. I love working with people and I love the job, even though it is very stressful at times.
What does the City Clerk-Treasurer do?
The Clerk Treasurer is Secretary to the Council and Board of Works, keeper of all the records for the City, responsible for the payroll of all City employees, solemnize marriages, administer oaths, administers the Ordinance Violations Bureau, collects all fees, fines and penalties for City ordinances, responsible for all finances with the City and the four utilities. There are many other tasks but these are the major ones.
What are the most important issues facing Columbia City today?
I really feel that Columbia City is a great community and doesn’t have the major problems some other surrounding communities face. However, we need to keep the businesses we have and try to encourage additional business to locate here. We need the tax base to keep our taxes as low as possible.
Do you have a favorite Columbia City hang-out or restaurant?
I have no “favorites”. I think we are blessed with a lot of fine restaurants and I try to go to all of them. With the gas prices we are facing, I think it would be great to have a major restaurant like Applebee’s or Fridays to come to Columbia City too!