David Lee points to a confluence of factors that convinced him to run for a seat on the Allen County Commission:
First, he has a desire to serve the community, whether it be a 34-year career in the U.S. Armed Forces, or stints on the LaHarpe City Council, Allen Community College Board of Trustees and the USD 257 Board of Education.
Second, he points to his experience, including his military career, as a liaison between several agencies in case of natural disasters, and the aforementioned work with local governing bodies.
And thirdly, “I have the time,” Lee said, noting that his laundry list of experiences are now in the rear view mirror. He has since retired from the military, and his 12-year shift with the LaHarpe Council ended in January.
His only obligations outside of work — he’s part of the Lee family business with LaHarpe Communications and NewWave Broadband — are as part of an economic advisory committee with Thrive Allen County, and as a nursery leader at church with his wife, Tracy.
Lee is one of three Republican candidates seeking to fill Bill King’s seat to represent Allen County District 2, which covers much of the northern part of the county and includes LaHarpe, Gas and segments of north Iola. Voters will pick either Lee, Craig Mentzer or Gene Weatherbie, with the winner advancing to the general election to go up against Democratic candidate Michelle Meiwes.
LEE HAS found one topic above all others most pressing among the residents he’s visited with during his campaign — economic development.
“If you look to our neighbors to the south, and our neighbors to the east, you have to say ‘Oh my gosh, look at what they’ve got going on,’” Lee said.
He hopes to match those successes in Allen County.
“I’ll make it a priority,” he said. “It’s not going to be on the backburner.
“If the county wants to grow, we may have to change our mindset.” Lee explained. “Right now, the county needs to take the lead. Who else in the county has the best interest of everybody. Nobody else does, in my opinion. There are a couple of entities that have the interest of outlying communities, but they don’t have the clout the county does.”
Lee points to several pieces in place for Allen County’s future success: two major crossroads intersect, with U.S. 54’s junction with U.S. 169 in Iola and U.S. 59 in Moran.
“Think about the traffic that goes along there,” he said. “We need to capitalize that.”
Allen County Airport’s mile-long runway and the Neosho River also are hidden assets.
“And, we have great employees,” he said. “Employees for any business are your greatest resource.”
While Lee sees the county as a viable facilitator to assist local groups and businesses in search of grants and other resources, he’s more reserved at using county funds to support private ventures.
