2 running for Phillips County commissioner in June 26 primary

    Having both secured spots on the Republican primary ballot, K. Joe Kinnie and Terry L. Hofmeister will be facing off for the District 1 Phillips County commissioner candidacy come the June 26 election.
    Also competing on the Republican ballot will be Linda Statz and Sharon Michael for treasurer and Thom Elliott and William “J.R.” Myers for sheriff.
    Running unopposed are Doug Kamery for assessor and Beth Zilla for clerk. All offices have four-year terms.

K. Joe Kinnie
Current employment: Full-time commissioner and part-time farmer with son Kelly Kinnie.
Work experience: Was employed with Sandia Corporation, a prime contractor for the Atomic Energy Corporation in 1967. Three years later, following his father’s election to the Colorado Senate, he returned to run the family farm. Starting in 1984, he was instrumental in the introduction of no-till farming in Sedgwick County, where he raised dryland wheat, corn, millet and sunflowers.
Education/training: Attended several country schools during his childhood days. Graduated from Sedgwick County High School in 1963, then attended Northeastern Junior College, and then Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo.
Family: Had three children with his first wife, Patricia. They are daughters Shannon and Tammy and son Kelly, who currently lives on the family farm. After the death of his first wife, Patricia, in 2003, he met and married his second love of his life, Ruth Kinnie, and they now reside in Holyoke.
    Having been a county commissioner for eight years, Kinnie said he’s seeking re-election for a few reasons. For one, he would like to see the pavilion and education center project completely through. Retaining youth is what will keep the county strong, and he views the pavilion as one way to do so.
    Kinnie is also concerned with the direction the state is going. As the Front Range becomes more democratic, he is worried about water issues and how policies might affect the way of living in Phillips County. Right now, he noted, the County is in good shape financially, and he would like to keep it that way.
    In the past, Kinnie was involved in various community projects, such as the rural translator system, which brought TV to rural families in northeast Colorado. Currently, he serves on the rural fire board and the Marks Butte Groundwater Management District. He’s a lifetime member of the NRA and a member of the First Baptist Church in Holyoke. He’s also active in the Republican Party and is very interested in politics. He’s an avid lover of the outdoors, where he enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, motorcycling, guns and farming.

Terry L. Hofmeister
Current employment: Owns and operates a small Centennial Farm with wife Sherill, raising wheat, millet and cattle. They are semi-retired and enjoying rebuilding his grandfather William Prussman’s homestead.
Work experience: Worked for Marathon Petroleum Corporation for 30 years and retired in 2012. Started as a truck driver and moved up the ranks of the company from supervisor to regional manager. This included moving six times and managing maintenance shops, dispatch, drivers and fuel loading terminals. He was also accountable for profit and loss, safety, human resource, training, environment and customer service. Returned to Marathon Petroleum from 2014-2017, working part time doing consulting work.  
Education/training: Along with a high school education, received many training courses to help in his career, including leadership, supervisor, employee resource, tap root, finance, hazardous material, environment and emergency response, environment and emergency response up to the FEMA IS-200 level.
Family: Married to wife Sherill and have five children. Hofmeister and parents were all born in Phillips County, and their family roots run deep.
    In answer to why he’s running for Phillips County Commissioner, Hofmeister said, “I now have the time, knowledge, passion and energy to give back to our community.” He pointed out that he’s suited for the position as he’s approachable and works well with others. “I would like the opportunity to serve the citizens of Phillips County,” he said. “I will work hard and make positive decisions for our county.”