I am proud to announce my Republican candidacy for the District #3 seat of the Ripley County Board of Commissioners.
My positions over the last 40 years and a wide network of contacts with various federal, state, and local agencies will enable me to serve the citizens of Ripley County. I aim to listen to all concerns, gather the facts, and work together to make a positive difference.
As a graduate of Dillsboro High School, it was instilled in me the need to be aware of government functions, stay informed, and be involved. After graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, I worked for the Dearborn Co. Sheriff's Department as a dispatcher, jailer, and patrolman. I spent 22 years at the Fernald Environment Management Project holding a variety of positions in security, utilities water, wastewater, and storm sewer management with certifications in Water and Wastewater and the Ohio EPA. I was the Operations Supervisor till the closure in 2007.
I was employed for 10 years at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center. I operated the onsite water treatment plant and brought it into compliance with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. As Director of Public Safety, my responsibilities included Fire/EMS Department, occupational safety for State of Indiana employees, OSHA training, and worker's compensation. I also worked with the military department of Indiana ensuring the facility met all safety requirements for various local, state, federal, and international agencies conducting training at the center.
For the remainder of my career, I served the Town of Dillsboro as their Town Manager and Utility Superintendent where I was responsible for daily operations including street, parks, water distribution, and wastewater treatment departments. This included supervising employees, budgeting, grants, and working with Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning engineers and contractors. I secured several grants for the town including a utility study which allowed us to receive a water upgrade. We also received numerous INDOT community crossing grants for streets and roads and updated our planning and zone ordinances. I was instrumental in getting high-speed fiber installed by SEIDATA, while doing an upgrade on a new sanitary sewer force main, as a collaborative effort between SEIDATA, INDOT, and the Indiana Lieutenant Governor's broadband office.
As a long-time Ripley County resident, I have given back to my community as a member of the South Ripley School Board of Trustees, Ripley County Community Foundation, Main Street Versailles, Ripley County 4-H, Lifetime Resources, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Olean. I enjoy working outdoors and family time with my wife of 41 years, Linda Grinstead Rump; daughter and son-in-law, Jenna and Evan Hague; and grandsons, Owen and Bennett.
My professional background and service to the community has prepared me to serve as your Commissioner.
I deeply care about our county and with my collaborative leadership style would work hard to give all residents a voice. We as a county need to think outside the box, be intune our State and Federal governments, and collaborate to spend wisely and efficiently.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you and ask for your support on Tuesday, May 7th.
