Sam Hayden is one of two candidates running for the District 1 Grant County Commission seat. When asked why he decided to put his hat in the ring, Hayden said, "I'm fully retired," he said. "(And) I feel I bring a lot to the table with my past experiences.
This is not the first time Hayden has ran for a commission seat. He ran for the office two years ago.
"I ran before and came close," he said, adding he feels his past experiences make him a good fit for the position.
"Everything I've been involved in - I've been a supervisor in the United States Navy," Hayden said. "I used to own the 66 station on the corner. I spent several years as the maintenance transportation director at the school. And. before we moved here, I was the supervisor at the United Methodist Youthville Emergency Shelter. I've always worked with budget stuff and employee concerns."
Why did he choose to run for the commission?
"There are levels of government - local, state and federal," Hayden said. "Local is what I have time for. I've never ran for any other office. If I'm elected, this would be my first office. I spent 10 years as a board Recreation Commission. member for Grant County
We dealt with a lot of the same things there that the commission faces."
Hayden said he feels challenges that the commission faces include growth, bud- get and infrastructure. As for any projects or changes he would like to see the commission take on, Hayden said he would have to give that some "thought".
"I'm a self starter and a hard charger," Hayden said. "I would have to look at everything to determine what needs to be done and get after it."
One of the things Grant County needs, Hayden said, is more business.
"We need to always solicit and look for new businesses - growth," he said.
What's the importance of being a county commissioner?
"Every position is important when it comes to county and local government and being a representative for an entity," Hayden said. "It's important to be a good steward of everyone's tax dollars and be fiscally responsible."
Hayden moved to Grant County in 1999 from Dodge City, Kan.
"We've been here about 27 years," he said. "My wife was offered a social work position here when the state used to have an office here. She is a master level social worker."
Hayden is married to Kim Darrough-Hayden, who was originally from Johnson, Can.
"She took that position here, and it brought us closer to her parents," Hayden said. "I was working for Schwan's at the time, so I could work from anywhere."
The Haydens have seven children ranging in age from 25 to 43, and 11 grandchildren.
Hayden says he is "happy" to be running for office.
"My big thing is I hope everybody gets out and votes," he said. "No matter how they vote everyone needs to vote. I always look at our numbers and they look a little low. I believe you can't complain if you didn't vote."
Along with commission seats, Hayden said other items on the August ballot include a yes/no question, and a governor's race.
"I encourage everyone to get out and vote - their vote does count," Hayden said.
What can voters expect from Hayden?
"We purchased our home here," he said. "We own our house. We are community members of Grant County. I am a hard worker and I won't back down from a fight. I'm great at asking questions if I don't understand something. If elected I will put Grant County and the voters first - always."
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