Meet the candidates for county drain commissioner

Two candidates are seeking the four-year post of St. Joseph County drain commissioner.

Incumbent Jeff Wenzel and challenger Josh Harter appear on the Aug. 6 Republican primary ballot. The term begins Jan. 1. The 2025 budgeted salary for drain commissioner is $84,239.

A lifelong St. Joseph County resident, the 64-year-old Wenzel is a graduate of Sturgis High School and Glen Oaks Community College.

Wenzel is completing his fourth four-year term.

“I wanted to make a change for the drain commissioner’s office, work with the constituents and farmers of the county to help alleviate flooding and make things much more cost effective for the county, the townships and the people of St. Joseph County,” Wenzel said. “I will continue to serve St. Joseph County in a professional manner to complete projects and alleviate flooding.”

A Friends of the St. Joe River board member and a member of Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society, Wenzel said he is dependable, and values honesty and openness.

“I am a patient person and flexible, even when unexpected obstacles arise,” the Lake Templene resident said. “I am ethical, I follow the Michigan Drain Code of 1956 and its amendments, I also strive for open communication with my staff and the constituents in the county, making myself available 24/7 for any problems that a resident might have.”

Harter, 28, works at Jayco Inc. and performs contract work for area drain commissions.

Harter, a Sturgis resident, graduated from Sturgis High School and studied Computer-Aided Design at Glen Oaks Community College.

Also a lifelong St. Joseph County resident, Harter said he has performed contract work for the Centreville-based drain office the past four years.

“It has been the most rewarding experience working for drain offices in St. Joseph and surrounding counties,” he said. “I’ve helped a lot of people in our community. I am a hands-on, face-to-face kind of guy, and I enjoy working outside and engaging with people in the community.”

Harter said he believes it is time for fresh ideas, new programs and a proactive approach to drain commissioning. He said he has the drive, tenacity and integrity that the office requires.

“This is the foundation on which I am going to build a better drain office. An office that hears and prioritizes the needs of the people in our community, an office that is proactive and not reactive,” he said. “Over the last four years, I have served our drain office by offering beaver-damage mitigation, clearing out clogged roadside drain culverts and other miscellaneous work.”

Harter said he has also provided beaver-damage mitigation services to Cass and Kalamazoo counties.

“I started a Low-Impact Drain Cleaning Program in Kalamazoo County that I have run this last year with great success,” he added. “This is something I am going to bring in-house to St. Joseph County to save tax dollars and help our neglected drains. This will be the first ever in-house drain maintenance program in St. Joseph County.”

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Meet the candidates for county drain commissioner