First time officeholders prep for jobs

An Election Night lacking in drama still gave four new Putnam County officeholders plenty to anticipate as they prepare to take the reins in their new positions.

Tuesday's general election made official the election of Second District Commissioner Rick Woodall, Second District County Councilor Jill Bridgewater, Recorder Tracy Bridges and Clerk Heather Gilbert.

Like all candidates for county-wide offices, Woodall was unopposed in the general election in his bid for a commissioner seat. The lack of competition has afforded him the chance to familiarize himself with the office rather than campaigning the last few months.

"I've tried to spend the last few months looking at the budget numbers, which is very confusing, of course. It's going to take a while to figure those out," Woodall said. "My wife and I have been doing a lot of driving around the county, looking at all the roads and roadsides, cleaning of the ditches and tree limbs."

With budget season now over and the roads an ongoing concern, Woodall hopes to familiarize himself with how the processes work in the county's various departments.

He is also keenly aware that some big decisions face the commissioners regarding the county's health insurance coverage.

"I'm also going to try and learn more about the healthcare because that comes up at the first of the year," Woodall said. "In our world today, it's really not how much money you make, it's what kind of health insurance you have."

Woodall said he is preparing for the endless calls commissioners face from constituents. However, as the owner of S & W Feed Center on the city's south side, people also have an easier way to reach him than his fellow commissioners.

"In reality, I truly don't think I'll get as many calls as Dave (Berry) and Don (Walton) do because of having the business in the south end," Woodall said. "I've had people just show up saying, 'Hey, where's Rick? I've got something here to talk about.' So they have access, I guess is the word."

Like Woodall, Bridgewater has also been familiarizing herself with county business, particularly the budget, as it is the council's main responsibility.

"I'm just anxious to get started and get my feet wet. I've got a lot to learn from the guys that are on there," Bridgewater said. "I'm hoping my accounting background is a big help to them. I sat through budget hearings this year. I wasn't able to ask any questions, so I'm anxious to be able to do that next year and figure out what goes behind and what kind of stuff is put into those budgets."

Like Bridgewater, fellow Republicans Dave Fuhrman, Darrel Thomas and Keith Berry were successful in their re-election bids. They join at-large councilmen Larry Parker, Gene Beck and Phil Gick, whose terms expire in two years.

While Bridgewater is a rookie council member, she has a bit of family history to uphold. Her mother Nancy Fogle spent 17 years as either a commissioner or council member, and her brother Jay Fogle spent multiple terms on the council.

"From the time I was a little girl, I was going to chili suppers and chicken dinners and all that stuff and watching my mom put herself out there," Bridgewater said. "I just decided if I'm not willing to put myself out there, I can't ask somebody else to do it."

Like Bridgewater, new recorder Bridges also has some family history to uphold in the courthouse, as she will be replacing her mother Opal Sutherlin in the office. Bridges has had several positions in the courthouse, having spent the last six as the victim's assistance director in the prosecutor's office. This will be her first experience in the recorder's office.

"I started out years ago in the assessor's office and the auditor's office for about 10 years. I've been in the prosecutor's office for the last six," Bridges said. "Of course my mom, everyone knows her background. It's going to be bittersweet for my mom. She's sad to retire, but she's excited for me as well.

"I was amazed by the turnout, it being an uncontested race and a gloomy day, so way to go, Putnam County. I'm super excited to take over come Jan. 1."

While she has no family connections to her office, Gilbert has also had some good examples during her years in the clerk's office, including the eight years she spent as a deputy to Sutherlin.

"I've been in the office for 16 years, so I'm really excited to just keep moving in the right direction," Gilbert said.

Like some of the other new officeholders, Gilbert has taken the opportunity to learn the ropes of her new position.

"Marty has been a wonderful help," she said. "It's been very helpful this year for me to follow her around this year. Since I did not have an opponent, I was able to follow her around and learn everything I needed to learn that I might not have been able to see otherwise because I wasn't able to be in that room before.

"I have had some great predecessors. Learning the office from the two people that were with me -- Opal and Marty -- that has been fantastic."

Two other courthouse officeholders were unopposed in their re-election bids, with Surveyor David Penturf and Assessor Nancy Dennis retaining their seats.