The de facto successors to two seats on the Warren County Commission are preparing themselves for what lies ahead after primary election victories this month.

Technically, primary winners Matt Flake and Tom Meyer haven’t cleared the last hurdle for election in November. But as the Republican nominees for offices that only had Republican candidates, the two men are likely to be taking their oaths of office come January 2021.

For the will-be commissioners, that means it’s time to stop thinking about campaigning and start thinking about governing.

Matt Flake, the nominee for the Northern District seat currently held by Dan Hampson, said he believes a good commissioner is someone who listens, asks a lot of questions, and stays informed.

Flake said some of the best advice he’s already been given about county government is, “Don’t make things personal. You may be totally against something, but it might be the best thing for the county.”

Flake brings in experience as a former chairman of the county planning and zoning board, and said issues of land development are something he expects to see more of as Warren County grows and attracts new businesses.

Once he takes office, Flake said he wants to push county department heads to seek more grant funding that could benefit county services.

“I believe we’re missing out on a lot of state and federal tax dollars that could help with everything from the health department, to the sheriff. All the offices probably have somewhere they can apply for grants.”

Tom Meyer, the Southern District nominee who will replace Hubie Kluesner, agreed that one of the most important qualities for the job is being a good listener.

“You’ve always got to get both sides of the story,” Meyer said. “At times, if the majority of your constituents think it should be one way, and you think it should be another way, you’ve got to vote with your people.”

Meyer said his long experience working at his family’s implement business and then 25 years at Schweissguth Brothers has allowed him to interact with many different people in the area, a benefit for someone who soon will represent them.

“All my life I’ve been with the public,” Meyer said. “They’ve done their job, now it’s time for me to do my job.”

Meyer said he wants to review how the commission handles conflicts that arise out of the county’s planning and zoning process, and give the citizens on the planning and zoning board more say in how those issues are resolved.

He said he also wants to help identify a good successor to head the County Road Department if current supervisor Gary Ruether decides to retire in the next few years. Other than that, Meyer said he anticipates working well with the other commissioners to continue the good work of the county and maintain a responsible budget.

Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildehaus, elected in 2018, said he hopes over the next few months to involve Flake and Meyer in important issues they will likely inherit. That includes the long-term challenge of COVID-19, but also discussions about the regular business like the county budget.

“You have to have an open mind, you have to be able to listen and make decisions,” Gildehaus said, adding that there’s a lot to learn about the operations and rules of government.

Gildehaus said he looks forward to all the county’s elected officials, new and old, working together.

“If we all work together as a team, you get a lot more done,” Gildehaus said. “All elected officials are here to help the county, to help taxpayers. That’s our job.”