by Jennifer Tangeman
DELPHI — Leanne Aldrich has been appointed as the new city of Delphi clerk-treasurer.
Carroll County Democrat chair Denise Strasser said Aldrich was chosen from among four candidates and comes to the position with 28 years of bookkeeping experience. Aldrich began work in her new position last week.
“I think maybe I was ready for a change, and a challenge,” Aldrich said.
Aldrich previously worked as an associate broker selling real estate and has driven a school bus for Delphi schools for more than 25 years. She has also worked at Purdue University, was a legal secretary and managed a country club.
“I didn’t realize until I looked at my resume how varied some of the jobs I’ve had are,” Aldrich said. “It is kind of a nice fit. A lot of those things will fit right in here.”
The clerk-treasurer said she believes her diverse experiences and community involvement may have encouraged the board to vote unanimously in favor of her at the recent Carroll County Democrat Caucus.
Working as the clerk-treasurer will provide Aldrich, who is president of the Delphi community educational foundation, another way to give back to her community.
“It’s my town. It’s my community,” she said. “At a certain part of your life you think you want to give back.
“When you are younger you might think this is the most boring, horrible place in the world, and you can’t wait to leave it. But when you get older you realize how nice it is and all the conveniences of living in a little town.”
Aldrich said she is excited to implement changes to the office of the clerk-treasurer and to see results from her work.
“I like to be able to see what it was before, and see it afterwards,” she said. “Whether it is stripping woodwork or something like this.”
Procedural changes are first on her list, she said. Aldrich explained the state board of accounts audits the clerk-treasurer’s office every year, and there are bookkeeping changes that she believes would help the office be in more compliance with the state.
Aldrich said she is looking forward to working for the community of Delphi.
“I was born and raised here,” she said. “It’s home.”
Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.
