Doug Walbridge, who has previously been on the McLouth City Council and the McLouth Board of Education, is the Republican running for Jefferson County’s first district seat on the county commission. Walbridge sat down with The Oskaloosa Independent to give his pitch to the county.
“I’m a lifelong resident of Jefferson County, and I was only gone for a few years for college, and I worked out of state for construction,” Walbridge said. “I remember a Jefferson County that was vibrant, attractive to people. I’m not saying we’re not that now, but I think we can be better”
As for why Walbridge is running, he said he always wanted to be a county commissioner. “My mom was county clerk for 15 years or so and worked in the clerk’s office. At night she would come home, and we talked about, she was secretary, the commissioners, we talked about that.”
The health insurance from Walbridge’s current job with the Kansas Turnpike Authority will also last until he’s 65 years old since he has worked there for 37 years. Which well above the 25-year minimum for the benefit, Walbridge said. “So, it’s a perfect opportunity for me and I think I can do the people a good job”
If elected, Walbridge said he hopes to improve Jefferson County’s roads. “We can’t hardly pass on a gravel road, two vehicles, anymore. And I think there’s good people there. I just think things need to be worked on and polished up.”
Bringing in more outside businesses would also be a priority, Walbridge said. “You know, we have good infrastructure, and I’d like to bring some business in here. We’re close to some nice major highways that are close to an interstate. And I think we use could use as a point to draw some business.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has harmed the county’s economy, Walbridge said. And gave an example on what businesses he would look into bringing to the county.
“I have a relation and owns a bale bed company and you know, they’re in five buildings that would fit perfect in the majority of the towns in this thing,” Walbridge said. “That’s the people we need look for.”
Walbridge said plans to accomplish these tasks by working with Jefferson County’s two other commissioners. “I’ve never been a stranger, and I’ve never been on a board that I haven’t worked with other people to improve.”
“Is it something you fix overnight? No, it’s something you tweak, and you work on every week, and you come up with new ideas and what’s best for our community and our people and our businesses that are here.”
On balancing new developments and residents’ opposition to those developments, Walbridge said he would consider all sides.
“Yeah, you don’t want new neighbors,” Walbridge said, “but you know, what was there when you bought it? Did you buy a place next to your Neighbor? Did you build there hoping nobody would do anything? And I do believe water resources was a big thing down there, if I remember right in the paper. That’s something to take into consideration.”
Tax incentives for businesses are also on the table for Walbridge. “When I was on the council at McLouth, we actually worked on some things like that to get a grocery store in town,” Walbridge said, “That’s been very successful, and it’s really helped the town of McLouth there’s things you can do like that. Not necessarily do we waive all the taxes we got to see and feel how they are.”
To cut costs and avoid raising taxes, Walbridge said he would look into outsourcing jobs in the county’s road department. “You need to look at maybe, possibly outsourcing things and look, if it’s cheaper to have a contractor do some things where you, do your maintenance things, because if you concentrate on overlay projects and chip and seal projects, your tubes start falling apart. And that’s part of your infrastructure, and you have to look at that.”
Walbridge also criticized the county’s work in some areas. “One thing I’ve noticed over this summer, and I’m not going to take away from what they’re doing, and they’re planning a dry year and we haven’t worked on any wet ditches. I mean, plain and simple. That’s a little thing. But also in turn, I’m not a micromanager. But I do have some good ideas.”
His years working in road construction will give him a better perspective on the department’s efforts, Walbridge said. “I know all the phases and know bridges, I worked on span bridges, box bridges, I you know, I work with consultants, I’ve worked with contractors.”
As a conservative, Walbridge said he’s not for many restrictions. “It’s you know, to each their own. I govern with that. I always have. I’ve never changed my stance. I’ve always been there. I’ve never shifted or changed how I view things.”