Chad Scheihing is a candidate for Blaine County Commission District #1.
He was born in Blaine County, attended school at Greenfield and graduated from Geary High School, where he was active in the FFA and played football.
He says those experiences helped shape his leadership skills and work ethic. “The blue and gold jacket (FFA jacket) and everything it stands for has given me so many opportunities and life lessons,” he wrote.
Scheihing married his wife, Katie, in 2008 and they farm and run a cowcalf operation. The couple has three children.
Scheihing has served on the Greenfield Fire Department for 28 years, 11 of those years as chief. That role, he said, has allowed him to serve residents and taught him to collaborate with other departments and build relationships.
He has been on the Blaine County Fair Board for about five years.
He said he was moved to run for office because he wants to see improvement in the roads as well as in the interaction between the commission and the public. “I think the county needs change,” he said.
He also noted that if elected, he would be committed to policies that support schools and students as well as providing essential community services like rural fire protection and assisting small towns with road maintenance.
That change can be accomplished through working together with the other commissioners, he said. Scheihing also acknowledged that rebuilding the district shop and restocking it with equipment and supplies on the allotted budget will be a challenge.
“I’m a good chief and leader. I will do well running a county crew. I can manage a fire department budget and a farm budget, I can manage a county budget,” he said.
Scheihing described himself as a hands-on leader and his experience with machinery and mechanics will translate into leading a crew by coaching.
He has set his priorities as common sense leadership, improving the safety and condition of the roads and promises honest work with verifiable results.