There’s a good reason why people care so much about county roads and bridges, according to Mark Griffith.
“That’s what they travel on every day. That’s what they take their kids to school on,” he said.
“Their homes may be their sanctuaries, but they spend a lot of time in their vehicles. They need to feel comfortable when traveling on our roads and bridges.”
Griffith is the county’s new road and bridge director, and also will oversee the county’s rock quarry. He serves under Public Works Director Mitch Garner.
The responsibility is a newly created position, easing Garner’s load of overseeing the day-to-day activities of the road and bridge department.
It’s a responsibility Griffith takes seriously.
“Everything is a situation. Not everything is challenging, but everything is a situation you’ve got to fix,” he said.
His easy-going demeanor makes him a good fit for the job, as he feels it is important to listen to citizens about the problems they encounter on county roads.
“I’m good with people, and I’ve got a lot of experience. I know what to do with roads and how to fix them.”
GRIFFITH grew up in Burlington and Coffey County.
He attended college and earned a degree in power plant technology “that I don’t use.” He worked at the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant for a time, but found it didn’t suit him.
For the past nine years, Griffith worked for Coffey County as a foreman in its asphalt department.
His wife, Terrie, works in human resources at the Coffey County Hospital. Griffith has two stepdaughters, Casey and Katie, and seven grandchildren.
He came to Allen County because it was a better opportunity and a career advancement.
This is his second week on the job, so he’s still getting acclimated.
Still, he understands the job is all about “the people” — whether that’s the citizens he meets or those on his road crews.
