Photo submitted – Doug Walbridge of rural McLouth is pursuing the Republican nomination for the First District seat on the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
by Rick Nichols
Doug Walbridge, a resident of the McLouth area, is one of three declared candidates for the position of Jefferson County Commissioner for the First District, which takes in Rural Township, Sarcoxie Township, Union Township, Oskaloosa Township, and the eastern part of Fairview Township, the township split in two by Perry Lake.
The other two candidates are Ken Newell, who also is a Republican, and the current County Commissioner for the First District, Lynn Luck, who used to be a Republican but has decided to run for re-election as an independent.
Walbridge and Newell will be squaring off against each other in this year’s August primary, with the survivor advancing to oppose Luck in the general election slated for Tuesday, Nov. 8.
As was reported in the paper last week, she has already round ed up enough valid signatures
from among the registered voters in the First District to meet the threshold for grabbing a slot on the November ballot.
No Democrat filed as a candidate for the lone seat on the Board of County Commissioners that is up for grabs in 2022.
This past week I conducted an email interview with Walbridge during which I asked him seven questions directly related to the campaign and additional questions, the latter of which permitted 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 replying to the other questions.
Question — Why are you running for a seat on the County Commission at this time?
Answer — I have always wanted to and with retirement the timing is perfect for me to devote the time and energy to be an effective commissioner. A Jefferson County with thriving business, quality roads, and a place of opportunities for residents is my ultimate goal. I’m sure I can help with achieving a better community and an area that business can grow and thrive.
Question — What do you regard as your strengths in seeking
this position?
Answer — I have a background in business and road construction. I have experienced multiple challenges in these fields over the years and believe my experience can be very valuable. HR and employee experience are not anything new to me. I have hired and worked with all levels employees from lower level positions to CEOs, CFOs, engineering staff and medical professionals.
In my career I’ve managed multimillion dollar budgets, various fields in construction, medical and charitable industries. I’m not scared to take on new challenges/ opportunities. I look forward to that. I’m personable, approachable, and never met a stranger.
Question — What in your view are the top two or three issues facing the county at this time?
Answer — Roads. We need to work on our infrastructure. I think we have quality employees but looking into the future, some tasks may need to be contracted out to ensure other items are not neglected. I always work with consulting engineers on the Kansas Turnpike Authority and I’d like to utilize that resource more. Taxes. With appraisals continually on the rise, raising our tax burden on our home owners is very burdensome. We need to be responsible with taxpayers’ dollars. I’d also like to approach the Corps of Engineers about our return from the Feds on our loss or lack of funds on Lake Perry. Senators Moran and Marshall need to be brought in to discuss this issue.
Lastly, any pending litigations need to be addressed and concluded in a timely manner. I think with planning and strategic thinking these items can be resolved.
Question — How can the county better serve its residents at this time?
Answer — As I have stated earlier, roads need to be a priority. Whether it be new construction, location or quality of product, we need to work at clearing roads making them more passable earlier in the winter weather events. If not, businesses and schools suffer. Getting kids safely back in school should be our goal.
The service in the courthouse has improved and needs to continue to strive to be the best.
I would like to explore adding a County Administrator who works with department heads and commissioners to make things more cohesive. I don’t believe we need to hire additional personnel but if the right person is in the role they will add enough value to the county to justify their role. I work with CEOs and past administrators who have achieved the exact things I’m bringing up.
Question — Do you have any short- or long-term goals you would like to see the county achieve?
Answer — If elected, my first goal would be to get a better feel of the environment and prioritize what I have stated above. Roads, business attraction, taxes and customer service would be the long term. Working together as a team would be the ultimate goal. I want a Jefferson County that thrives and is attractive to all types of family business, homes and a environment to raise a family.
Question — Given the chance, what would you do to facilitate more economic development in the county?
Answer — We are close to good highways and have infrastructure to attract business, but we need to be more aggressive. Several years ago we were gaining traction but in my opinion it has tailed off. I’d like to see more local family business in the county, whether it be agricultural, tourist or services. We need to recruit this growth.
In regard to the established businesses in our county, we need to constantly communicate and help them prosper. There are many restaurants, shops, stores, agricultural stores, farms and services in our county that need to be recognized and utilized.
We’ve got a good start but need to add (to) and support our industry and individuals who are here. Owning a small business is an asset and experience that I have lived, and (I) believe that it is the foundation of a successful community and county.
Question — Finally, do you have a message you would like to share with the voters of the First District?
Answer — I have a proven track record of leadership in my community and I have managed many types of budgets for a variety of businesses. I’m a small business owner myself with a cow/calf operation, residential real estate and mini storage. I believe my experience will be an asset to not only the patrons of the First District but Jefferson County as a whole.
Walbridge, 58, has been the Trustee for Union Township (Jefferson County Fire District No. 9) for the past six years and has been a volunteer firefighter since he was 16. He was the Assistant Fire Chief for the City of McLouth up until he moved from town, which forced him to give up the position.
The candidate also has served as a precinct committeeman for Union Township.
Walbridge was a member of the McLouth City Council for 11 years, 10 of which were spent serving as the president of the governing body. He was on the city’s Planning Commission for two years.
Walbridge was on the McLouth USD 342 Board of Education for eight years and was its vice president and its representative on Keystone Learning Services’ Board of Directors for several of those years.
Walbridge has belonged to the McLouth Kiwanis Club for 15 years and has served as its president for 10 years.
Over the years Walbridge has been involved in the Jefferson County 4-H program. He was a member of the Crackerjacks 4-H Club when he was younger and later functioned as a project leader and a community leader for the club for several years. In addition, he has been a superintendent at the Jefferson County 4-H Fair for 10 years.
For 23 years Walbridge has occupied a seat on the F.W. Huston Medical Center Board of Directors and a seat on the Board that runs the F.W. Huston Medical Center Foundation. He has served as the chairman of the Board of Directors.
A native of the McLouth area, Walbridge is a graduate of McLouth High School. High school diploma in hand, he later attended Kansas State University and studied Agribusiness there. Since then he “continuously” has had classes in Management and Leadership, he reported.
Walbridge has lived in and around McLouth his entire life except for the time when he was in college and the time when he was working in Oklahoma for Wittwer Construction.
For the past 36 years Walbridge has been employed by the Kansas Turnpike Authority. He has been a Roadway Construction and Maintenance Superintendent for 17 years, and in that capacity he oversees KTA in-the-field operations all the way from Emporia on the south to 57th Street in Kansas City on the north.
The position has enabled him to acquire “extensive knowledge” with respect to the construction and maintenance of roadways, and he is in charge of hiring those who work on one of his crews. Six foremen work under him and their crews have an average of six employees per crew.
Walbridge was a heavy equipment operator for two years and the KTA foreman for the Kansas City area for 17 years.
It was with Wittwer Construction that Walbridge began his career in roadway construction. He worked on highways in both Oklahoma and Kansas while employed by the company.
On the side, Walbridge assists in the building and remodeling of homes with his father and Dwayne DePriest. Walbridge resides at 10720 N. K-92 Highway with his wife, Sandy, to whom he has been married for 33 years. She was a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher for 34 years before retiring.
The Walbridges have two children, Katie and Marcus. Katie works in Topeka for Evergy and is a Civil Engineer. Marcus is employed by EvapTech Inc., Edwardsville, as an Industrial Engineer.