Paul Skidmore has big plans for Kay County if elected commissioner

Editor’s Note: This is the last of three stories featuring candidates for the office of Kay County District No. 3 commissioner. The election will be April 4. All candidates’ responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Paul “Butch” Skidmore served as Kay County District No. 3 commissioner from 2015 to 2018, and he is vying for the office for the third time with hopes of continuing the work he started. Here’s what he had to say about his goals if elected.

Q: What would you like voters to know about yourself?

A: I’ve been married this year to my wife, Cathy, for 50 years. It’s been ups and downs, and we’ve gone through it. I knew when I got married I would be married for the rest of my life. We have two sons and a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren: a granddaughter and a new grandson. I’ve lived in Kay County most of my life.

Q: What will be your main objectives if you’re elected as commissioner?

A: I will strive to work honestly with integrity and without compromise to the issues of the day and strive to have a cooperative and energetic workforce. I’m planning to work on paving the Nardin road to the Nardin Cemetery, which was kind of in the works the last time I was in office. Didn’t get that done. I want to work on opening up that Hubbard Road bridge. I’m going to work with and investigate all the issues on it, contact the engineers and [Circuit Engineering District No. 8] over there at Alva and plan to get that opened up. It’s just so nice for everybody to go that direction. It needs to be open, and we need to figure out why it’s not.

I’ve got some priorities, of course, and that’s to maintain safe roadways and bridges, both major and collector roads, signage and rights-of-way for public use, maintain the equipment to be ready for use in any climate environment. Also, manage the office of District 3 in the black and oversee that the county offices do the same. The challenge will be staying on top of the tasks and issues and completing them in a timely manner.

Q: How do you plan to improve county roads and bridges?

A: Well, you just have to have good communication with your road foreman. That’s key. They take care of the roads for us. They look and check them out, and then we set a plan of action to take care of them, whether it be materials or culverts or drainage issues, that sort of thing. The communication with the road foreman is key.

Q: What skills, traits and leadership experience would you bring to the office?

A: I’ve already got the experience: four years. I feel like I’m well suited for county commissioner of District 3 by having served for a four-year term. My experience in the dealings of county government, and my contacts made throughout the state pertaining to county government, is a great help for another term. In my former term, from 2015 to 2018, I left District 3 fully funded, purchased a 20-acre, half-million-dollar, fenced and gated property, and it was paid in full in my term, built a $300,000 equipment barn with a mechanic shop, and left the office with a $400,000 balance, with no obligations other than the lease-purchase agreements for the standard operating equipment.

I’m planning on continuing going upward, making us better and improving everything in District 3. I hope the voters will consider voting for me, Paul “Butch” Skidmore, for another four-year term as commissioner in District 3.

Editor's Note: This article was updated to remove the date of the June general election. The general election will not include the county commissioner's race because only Republican candidates filed.