Kent Becker selected to fill commission seat

Kent Becker of Durham is the choice of Republican electors in the county’s 1st District to fill the county commission position soon to be vacated by Lori Lalouette.

Jared Jost and Craig Dodd, both of Hillsboro, also were nominated at Thursday’s district Republican meeting at the Scout House in Hillsboro. Becker won by garnering 9 out of a possible 17 votes. Jost received 5 votes, and Dodd, 3.

County commissioners Randy Dallke and Dianne Novak were among more than 20 observers who attended.

Becker, Tampa State Bank senior vice-president, has served on Durham city council, USD 410 board of education, and county planning zoning commission.

Jessie Wiebe, who nominated Becker, said he had been approached about running for the seat in 2014, but had declined because of time constraints. Given his impending retirement from banking, he was willing to serve as commissioner, she said.

Becker’s name will be forwarded to Gov. Sam Brownback, who has the responsibility of officially appointing him to the position.

Additional information will be published in Feb. 22 editions of the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin.