Iolan John Brocker has served on the Allen County Commission for the past seven months.
Hed like to stay on a bit longer to see a couple of pressing issues resolved.
Doing so will be easier said than done.
Brocker, who was appointed by Republican precinct members in March to replace Jim Talkington, was defeated by Bruce Symes in the August Republican primary.
Undeterred, Brocker has launched a write-in campaign. (Also on the ballot is Democrat Steven Henderson.)
There are two or three issues out there in the county Im concerned with, he said. Id like to stay in there to at least get those accomplished.
First up is the fate of Allen County Regional Hospital.
Hospital trustees are investigating whether they should continue to maintain control of the hospital and have it managed by an outside company, such as whats done today, or whether they should lease the facility to an outside firm, which would relieve the county of the debt incurred with the hospitals construction in 2013.
Though commissioners have no role in deciding hospital duties, Brocker expressed dismay earlier this year when trustees said they would eschew looking to the lease option.
Whatever they decide to do, whether it be lease or management, or whatever, it better be the right decision, because if its not, it could cost the people of Allen County quite a few dollars, Brocker said. The Commissioners, theyre the ones that have to sign off on it. But if the board doesnt look at all options, how can you say when you sign off on it that you did the best for the people of Allen County? I dont think you can say that if you dont look at everything.
BROCKERS other major concern is the countys road system.
In many areas, insufficient water drainage, tied to cluttered ditches, has caused significant wear and tear on roads.
Before you can address a lot of our roads in the county youre going to have to clean out ditches and get the water draining away from the roads instead of onto the roads, he said. It needs to be addressed in the next few years.
Doing so will likely require a significant investment on the countys part by purchasing more equipment (another backhoe and large truck at least) as well as added employees.
Its not cheap, he said. But road structure in our county is important for everybody, from farmers to businesses, to get their products around.
BROCKER also touched upon Iola Industries offer to sell Elks Lake to the county. Commissioners have yet to decide whether to take up the offer. The two entities have agreed to split the cost of having it appraised.
Id have to see, the way the lake is now, how you can make it totally into a recreational facility, he said. Im not saying Im against it or Im for it. There are too many variables still out there.
