Candidate Male says he wants to work together for the county's benefit
Eudora Republican Frank Male first became active in local politics, during a citizen advisory panel in the 1990s.
The panel on land use threatened his farm.
The 50-year-old Male is the proud co-owner of Lawrence Landscape.
The tree farm has planted green scenery across Douglas County for the past 25 years.
"I didn't need a census to tell me that we haven't grown jobs in Douglas County in the past 10 years. My business told me that we haven't grown jobs," he said.
Male is most concerned about local jobs, property rights and the county budget.
He's seen starter homes with foreclosure signs and says the area is crying for economic development.
"We don't want to be overreaching and people that are landowners, and taking their rights away. Saying, you can't plant this tree here, or you can't do anything over by that stream,” Male said.
He has served as chair of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission for six years and the Douglas County Extension Council for four years.
If elected as County Commissioner, Male says he would redirect funds to help bring in businesses and continue the county's work with the KU Biotech to bring more jobs.
As for working with the rest of the county commission, Male says he is ready and willing.
"I'm a doer and the eye is on the prize. And working together to get there,” he said.
Male stressed the importance of providing a range of job opportunities for varied educational backgrounds.