Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, 2008

Ron Herring to challenge Democrat incumbent, Grollmes

by Clarke Davis

A county motor grader operator has filed to run for county commissioner from the 3rd District.

Ron Herring, 61, Winchester, filed as a Democrat last week to set up a primary contest with incumbent Francis Grollmes.

Herring said he had intentions of running four years ago, but the Iraq war got in the way. He retired in December after 32 years and eight months in the military.

A master sergeant, he spent 27 of those years with the National Guard and did a one-year tour in Iraq.

He has been employed by Jefferson County for 16 years and was a custodian for the Jefferson County North school district before going to work for the county. If elected, he said he would give up his motor grader job.

“I think we can get better control on the way tax dollars are spent,” Herring said.

The candidate was born and raised in theRock Creek community and graduated from Valley Falls High School in 1964.

He has experience in elective office having served 11 1/2 years on the Winchester City Council.

He and his wife, Lorraine, have five children and three grandchildren.

The 3rd District consists of Norton, Jefferson, Delaware, and Ozawkie townships.