Thad Schenk is a candidate for Blaine County Commission District # 3.
Schenk has lived in Watonga since he was two years old, when his parents moved from Hitchcock to work at the hospital He went to Watonga schools and graduated from Watonga High School in 1986. After high school, Schenk went to OSU where he earned a degree in agriculture economics. Upon graduation he came back to Blaine County and took over his grandparents’ farming operations, farming and running cattle near Hitchcock for 35 years.
From 2007-2014, Schenk was a loan officer at First State Bank and owned his own company from 2014-16, hauling and spreading drilling mud for oil and gas exploration operations. He sold the company in 2016 and returned to farming but also works as a pumper for Mach Resources.
Schenk has also served on the Blaine County 522 board that oversees EMS operations for more than 15 years.
One thing he misses from his days at the bank is the opportunity to help residents. Because his work has taken him down many of the roads in the county, Schenk has developed an idea of how to help residents now.
He said the roads, ditches and intersections must be a priority, not just for the looks, but for safety and to help keep the roads in good shape.
“You have to keep the drainages open to avoid washouts. That’s why we need to keep the ditches clear,” he said.
Additionally, the tall grass along the roads can obstruct intersections and also allows escaped livestock or wildlife to be hidden from drivers until they are in the road and pose a collision danger.
Schenk understands that there will be a significant learning curve should he be elected, but he said his ability to cooperate with the other commissioners will help him get started.
He said he will be a hands-on commissioner spending time on the job with his crew but remain
reachable. And he wants residents to know he will listen to what they have to say about what needs to be done.
“I want people to reach out about damage. I want to know the issues. If they have a concern, I want to know about it and I’ll respond.”
Schenk is married to Bobbi Schenk, a grade school teacher for 28 years. The couple have two children, Bradi, a nurse and Riley, also a grade school teacher. They also have two grandchildren, a girl and a boy.
And in spite of a health scare some time back, Schenk said, “I’m blessed with good health now. It has been five years, and they say if five years pass, you are cured. I’m blessed.”