Jerry Willburn thinks Leavenworth County needs a plan to address growth.

And if he’s elected to the Leavenworth County Commission, Willburn says he would lead the charge for developing a plan.

“I just think the county’s growing by leaps and bounds, and we need a growth plan,” the 56-year-old rural Tonganoxie man said. “We have road problems, school problems, sewage problems — or are going to, if we don’t address the growth.”

Willburn, who is a 13-year resident of the county, is running as a Democrat for the Third District commission seat now held by Joe Daniels Jr. Daniels is not seeking re-election to a second term.

Willburn is the only Democrat running so far for the seat. And Dick Brauer, Linwood, is the lone Republican. The filing deadline for the commission is noon June 10.

Willburn, a native of New Mexico, began work 37 years ago as a construction boilermaker apprentice. And for the past 16 years, he’s been international secretary-treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers in Kansas City, Kan.

The job has provided him experience, he said, in real estate, financial management, planning, auditing, budgeting, contract negotiations and human resources. He also serves as a director of the Brotherhood Bank and Trust.

“It’s a full-time job, but the union has agreed I can serve in this capacity,” said of his plans to seek a commission seat.

Willburn enjoys hunting and fishing, but he’s especially enjoys metal fabrication and welding, taking care of his cattle and baling hay.

Willburn and his wife, Beverlee, who live at 20130 Douglas, have two sons, Terry and Todd, who live with their families in Leavenworth County.