Diehl issues call for increased cooperation and communication
By KALEY LYON
Two Republicans have thrown their hats in the ring for the seat of District 2 county commissioner.
Glenn Diehl was slated to face Mike Koerner in the Aug. 5 primary, but Koerner announced his intention to withdraw from the race earlier this week.
Diehl, who owns Diehl Oil, said the decision to run was a tough one, but he hopes to give county residents a choice and bring new ideas to the table.
"I was looking at the reporting that was being done about county government, the space needs, and it really bothered me that the research wasn't being done, the questions weren't being asked," Diehl said. "We can have the same old, same old, or we can have some new ideas.
"I want to bring to the table different ideas, new ideas, start people talking," he said. "I think we can save the taxpayers significant sums of money just with cooperation."
HDN: What is your stance on the proposed Ellis County wind farm projects? What benefits or concerns do you foresee?
GD: "My biggest problem with the wind farm as it's currently proposed is it's too close to Hays.
"I've been trying to make contact with people on both sides of the issue and I think that's one of the biggest problems, is that people aren't talking to each other on both sides of the issue.
"I think a compromise could be reached ... Nobody looks at both sides of the issue and starts talking."
Diehl lives near the proposed wind farm site southwest of Hays, and has been involved with the Ellis County Environmental Awareness Coalition, a group started in opposition of the project.
HDN: What are your thoughts on the current countywide zoning process?
GD: "It can work. When zoning first was proposed in Ellis County, I was basically neutral on it because I lived in Hays and we had zoning in Hays.
"Then when I moved out in the country there was no zoning. So I was used to zoning and it didn't bother me that I didn't have zoning, so basically I was neutral on the issue. It doesn't bother me one way or the other.
"Now that we have it, I think we should make it work. Once again, it's a communication."
HDN: What are your thoughts on space needs issues, and of the proposed Hadley Center relocation?
GD: "They haven't done their homework. They've done their homework on the Hadley Center, but from what I heard ... they've kind of brushed off the Eddy Clinic.
"They don't know what the cost of remodeling the courthouse would be for court services. We have no idea what the cost would be to add a third floor to the law enforcement center for additional jail."
"... The more I was listening ... I'm wondering, are we moving the wrong people? We're having a jail issue, we're having courtroom issues, we're having security issues. Are we looking at the wrong thing?
"Do we need to look at a different judicial center instead of administrative offices? Nobody has even bothered to bring that up.
"What would it cost to put the sheriff, city police -- we can talk to the city of Hays -- put them under one roof with the court services, with the prosecutors, all under one roof?
"Then you can design something where an inmate isn't walking down the hall."
HDN: How do you view relations between Ellis County and the communities within? Do you believe anything could be done to improve city/county relations?
GD: "I think ... it can be a lot better. We have combined the ambulance service, and it's working great.
"Maybe we need to start looking at some consolidation of services, start saving the taxpayers some money. I know the ambulance services worked, can other departments work?
"I think, once again, it's just a communication problem. We just need to sit down as a county commission to visit with the Ellis City Commission, the Victoria City Commission, the Hays City Commission.
"I think once the lines of communication get opened, I think great things can be done. I think the future would be great for this county and the cities within."
HDN: With taxes on the rise from last year to this year, and local property values also increasing, how does this affect the local budget? What are your thoughts about the current finance formula?
GD: "I think we have a window of opportunity with the higher oil valuation that we shouldn't be seeing these mill levy increases, but we are.
"Even if the mill levy stays the same and your house valuation goes up, you're paying more in taxes.
"I think we need to look at all finance options. We need to look especially at county spending.
"We're seeing dramatic increases in government spending. As a business owner, I have to cut back some things to reduce expenses.
"I think government can do the same."
Editor's note: This is the fourth of a nine-part series portraying candidates in the Aug. 5 primary election.