Candidates for Bourbon County Commission on the August Ballot

Loretta George

6 months ago

This is a series featuring those who are candidates for the upcoming August Primary Election.

This is part of the series featuring the seven candidates running for Bourbon County Commission.

Jim Harris, 2nd District Bourbon County Commissioner, and current chair.

Jim Harris, 69, Fort Scott, is the incumbent District 2 Commissioner.

He attended Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Community College.

Harris has 34 years of experience in government. Duties with the city: planning and zoning administrator, codes director, and special public projects. With the county: sanitary inspector, emergency preparedness director, and public works director.

He has been married 52 years. “I have two wonderful sons and a daughter-in-law, and two grandsons one at Fort Scott Community College and one grandson is a Fort Scott Tiger.”

“Having served both the City of Fort Scott and the County for most of my professional life, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact of commissioners’ decisions on every aspect of our county’s functioning,” he said. “From my tenure in various managerial capacities within the city to my time with the county’s Public Works department, I have cultivated a deep understanding of our community’s needs and challenges.”

The most pressing issue of the commission? In these challenging times, with significant projects and economic intricacies at play, it’s vital to prioritize sound fiscal stewardship and resolute leadership. I assure the constituents of District 2 that I’ll continue to serve them with the same dedication and determination that has marked my time in office thus far.”

Brandon Whisenhunt has lived in Mapleton with his wife Becky for over 24 years and they have four children. He was recently selected to replace Nelson Blythe as District 1 Commissioner.

He graduated from Uniontown High School and then served the country and was deployed to Iraq twice as an equipment operator and mechanic.

As part of community service, he helps organize the Mapleton Homecoming Celebration every year.

“I currently work for WM in Kansas City, Kansas as a trash truck technician,” he said.

“I believe the role of government is to protect the citizens and be a good steward of the tax dollars,” he said. “As District 1 Commissioner we have many things going on, first is the solar panel companies we have to find a good solution for those.”

“Second, is fighting Pikes Reservoir. No one wants it, so we need to do what we can to move it somewhere else in the county,” he said.

Clifton Beth, incumbent District 3 Commissioner, did not respond to the questions sent via email.

Clinton Walker, running for District 1 Commissioner, could not be reached for an interview.