Justin Chapman is a candidate for the Blaine County Commission seat #1.
Chapman grew up in and around Greenfield and graduated from Geary High School. He married and lived in Geary for 13 years and served during that time as a firefighter and assistant fire chief. When the family moved to a farm outside Greenfield, he joined the Greenfield Fire Department where he is still a volunteer.
Chapman has a variety of experiences that include working as a welder and as a mechanic, driver and parts associate for an oil and gas company. For the past five years, Chapman has worked for Blaine County District #3 where he drives a truck, runs heavy equipment and maintains roads.
When the current commissioner in his district declined to run, Chapman decided it was his time to step up. “I felt it was time to help the county more. I know there is a lot to it, because you are in charge of lots of money,” he said. “But I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t run.”
Besides his job working for the county, Chapman and his wife run an event venue and a small herd of longhorn cattle.
His priority is to maintain roads and bridges in the district. “The roads need attention in District #1. Some have not had all the maintenance they need. It’s not the commissioner’s fault because there is so much to deal with,” he finished.
On the topic of a new jail, Chapman readily admitted he would have to study up on the needs of the county and the solutions brought forward.
“We know something needs to be done with a new jail. It’s coming to an agreement on what needs to be done and where to do it,” Chapman said.
As far as coming to that agreement, Chapman said he knows and gets along well with the other men who will be at the commissioners’ table with him if he is elected.
“I know Brandon (Schultz) and Traci (Matli) and we can get along,” he said.