County commissioner candidate Q&A

Voters living in Jack County Precinct 3 which includes the southwest portion of the county will have the opportunity to select a new county commissioner during the Nov. 8 general election.

Current Pct. 3 Commissioner Jimmie Cozart announced his retirement late last year and running to fill his position are Republican Henry Birdwell, Jr. and Democrat Chuck Bilby.

Both candidates answered questions during an interview this week. 

Their answers are as follows.

Why would you like to serve as a county commissioner?

Bilby: I think that I can address some of the issues with the roadways in a timely and professional manner as well as work within a budget being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of Jack County, not only precinct three, but all of Jack County.

Birdwell: I enjoy working with people. I enjoy working on issues and concerns that people have. I also enjoy serving our children, working to give them a better place to live and grow up. 

What are you qualifications to be a county commissioner?

Birdwell: I have been fortunate and blessed to have served on the Bryson ISD School Board as an elected official. I have served Bryson Volunteer Fire Department, Jack County Rural Volunteer Fire Department. I am currently serving on the board of directors for the Jack County Fire Department and Jack County Fair Association. I have been a little league coach with the Jacksboro soccer, basketball and baseball leagues. 

I have worked with many different individuals through these boards and with these leagues. This experience has taught me to work with anyone.

I have experience with state, federal and private grants through the fire department for funding of equipment and fire trucks. 

I’m a sixth-generation rancher. In that business, you have to be able to manage your business and money effectively and appropriately.

Bilby: I have retired from TxDOT with 28 years working experience. The last 14 I was an assistant maintenance foreman in Jack County. My work as an assistant maintenance foreman included troubleshooting the right-of-ways and highways of Jack County, scheduling the equipment, personnel and materials to perform the necessary maintenance work on a daily basis. Also, I’ve had some training through my job as far as different aspects of maintenance work as far as dealing with personnel and equipment. When you work for TxDOT, they send you to school from time to time. You’ll learn different things like hazardous material training, heavy equipment, various training opportunities that were provided to me.

To read the complete article, see the Oct. 14 edition of the Herald-Gazette.