Photo by Rick Nichols – Ken Newell of Oskaloosa is seeking the Republican nomination for the First District seat.
by Rick Nichols
Oskaloosa’s Ken Newell, a Republican, is one of three declared candidates for the position of Jefferson County Commissioner for the First District, which encompasses Rural Township, Sarcoxie Township, Union Township, Oskaloosa Township, and the eastern portion of Fairview Township, the township divided by Perry Lake.
The other two candidates are Doug Walbridge, who also is a Republican, and the current County Commissioner for the First District, Lynn Luck, a former Republican who has decided to run for re-election as an independent.
Newell and Walbridge will be going head to head in this year’s August primary, with the winner moving on to face Luck in the general election scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 8.
She has already collected enough valid signatures from among the registered voters in the First District to meet the threshold for securing a spot on the November ballot, according to County Clerk Linda Buttron.
No Democrat filed as a candidate for the only seat on the Board of County Commissioners up for grabs this year.
Over the weekend I conducted an email interview with Newell during which I asked him seven questions directly related to the campaign and additional questions, the latter of which allowed me to gather some personal information about him for the benefit of you our readers. The information that follows represents a combination of the candidate’s direct answers to my questions and the information he supplied me with in responding to the other questions.
Question — Why are you running for a seat on the County Commission at this time?
Answer — My reason for running at this time is we need new ideas and ways of responding to current issues. Also the need to develop a long range plan that is affordable and benefits the largest share of our population in a positive way.
Question — What do you regard as your strengths in seeking this position?
Answer — I have a great deal of experience making difficult decisions and working with others to implement changes.
Question — What in your view are the top two or three issues facing the county at this time?
Answer — As cliché as it sounds, taxes, taxes, taxes! People will pay taxes with little pushback if they see their dollars used wisely and not for the benefit of just a few. I don’t want more tax money, I just want to do a better job with our tax money. Obviously roads and bridges are always a topic.
Question — How can the county better serve its residents at this time?
Answer — The only thing that would better serve our residents at this time would have been a plan implemented over the past years. The last 2 years has taught us that even the best plans need to be adaptable to current circumstances. So my answer is plan, plan and plan some more with a long range eye to the future. The planning needs to benefit the largest number of people or it’s not a benefit.
Question — Do you have any short- or long-term goals you would like to see the county achieve?
Answer — As difficult and as expensive as it would be I would like to develop a long range plan to hard surface our more traveled gravel roads and I’m talking about roads that actually get you around the county, not a road that connects a group of houses to a highway. It would actually be beneficial to look at increasing our employees pay to be able to attract and retain productive employees.
Question — Given the chance, what would you do to facilitate more economic development in the county?
Answer — So far as economic development goes that is a very difficult issue for our county. I’m all for new businesses and jobs but I have discussed with business owners dozens of times about us and they all have a laundry list of excuses for not choosing our county. We could also do ourselves a great deal of good by not using Jefferson County as a bedroom community and do more shopping locally. That provides incentive for individuals to bring new goods and services let alone the sales taxes collected and the jobs provided.
Question — Finally, do you have a message you would like to share with the voters of the First District?
Answer — I would say this, if elected I will look after your hard earned tax dollars and put it to the best possible and effective use for the benefit of all. Being a lifelong county resident I want to see this county and all its towns do better and believe me, WE CAN AND WILL DO BETTER!
Newell, 68, has been a member of the Oskaloosa City Council for the past six years and also is a member of the Oskaloosa Recreation Commission. He is a former member of the Oskaloosa USD 341 Board of Education.
After graduating from Oskaloosa High School in 1972, Newell attended Kansas State University for a year.
Retired for all intents and purposes, Newell was a Regional Sales Manager for O’Reilly Auto Parts earlier in his life.
He remains active, however, as these days there are days when he can be found at CAJ Dairy Farms, rural Oskaloosa, where he works part time for his son-in-law, Jesse Houk.
Newell resides at 802 Cherokee with his wife, Michelle Hattemer. They have eight children, Kyle Newell, Oskaloosa, Travis Newell, Perry, Shelby Houk, Oskaloosa, Mandee Schrick, Easton, Mo., Nathan Hattemer, Dallas, Texas, Matt Hattemer, Oskaloosa, Maleah Lockard, Oskaloosa, and Luke Hattemer, Valley Falls, and 21 grandchildren.