In the June 2 election, Langford voters will choose between incumbent Orrie Jesz and challenger Micah Small for a three-year trustee seat.
Voters will cast ballots at their regular polling places this year. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with early and absentee voting already underway at the Marshall County Auditor’s office.
To help residents learn more about the candidates and their priorities, the Journal invited each to complete a questionnaire. Their responses follow.
Background information (family, work, etc.)
Orrie Jesz: I am married to Sarah. He has three boys, Isaak, Daniel, and Ethan. He worked 16 years at DaMar as a bulk fuel driver.
Micah Small: My father was an attorney in Britton, so I spent most of my youth learning about life in the area. I spent a majority of my adult career working in Emergency Management and as a Paramedic. I also owned and operated an IT Consulting business at the same time. Later in life, I decided to move into what I like to call career 2.0. Now, I’m the co-owner of two area businesses. We are proud to serve our communities with both businesses.
What is your reason for running for the board? What unique qualifications will you bring to the table?
Jesz: I enjoy helping to guide the community to a progressive future. I have also been a board member for 11 years.
Small: I believe that everyone has “big” ideas. I also understand that you can’t attempt to make a difference if you don’t step up and try. I am running so that I can learn and understand how Langford operates. Through years of both project management and emergency management training, I hope to be able to use my skills to help understand and organize resources. Working with the other board members, who are already doing a seemingly great job, I feel we can successfully help Langford grow.
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing Langford, and how do you think the city should deal with that challenge? Next priorities?
Jesz: The biggest issue is housing and affordable housing. I would encourage property owners to develop abandoned property. My next priority would be infrastructure, keeping the water, sewer, streets, and electrical services up to date to ensure a stable future.
Small: Each week I spend a few days listening to the citizens of Langford. With one of our businesses being the “local watering hole,” we hear a lot of ideas. Like everywhere, the people seem to be most focused on the increased cost of living. I don’t think there is one issue in particular necessarily. I feel that we need to listen to the public and do the best we can to try and reduce the cost of living. I understand that is a hard task. I understand the cost of living is an issue everywhere with the current economic climate. I feel that we need to look for ways to help draw people to Langford. We need to look for ways to provide affordable housing and grow our beautiful community. We have great local businesses, and we have a great school system. It would be ideal if we could attract young families to move to Langford. It would be excellent if we could entice today’s youth to want to come back when they enter the workforce and raise their families here, where they grew up. My son will graduate this year, and he wants to attend SDSU and get a degree in Agricultural Education. He hopes to return to Langford so that he can teach here and act as the FFA advisor. Langford has so much to offer, and I firmly believe that together we can all help to cultivate the future. It is my goal to help the community grow. I want our youth to have a town to come back to.
What does success look like for Langford over the next ten years?
Jesz: If we could figure out housing to help bring people to Langford, it would also bring support to businesses.
Small: In my opinion, we’re already a very successful community. We have a wonderful small town with warm and welcoming neighbors. I hope to see increase the already successful town of Langford. I personally feel that trying to find a way to attract more individuals and families to town would only make what is already good even better.
Why should voters choose you over the other candidate?
Jesz: I have been a board member for 11 years. I have helped get the city through a water and sewer project and street improvements. We are also currently working on electrical upgrades. I am always available to talk to if you have something that the city can improve on. People of the community are the most important, and I try to do my best to keep the city moving forward.
Small: Langford is my home. It has become my son’s home. This is the only place where he has felt like he truly belonged. I started spending a lot of time here in the mid to late 1990s. I met some of my closest and lifelong friends here, and now he has as well. I want what is best for my family. Langford is my family. I want what is best for Langford. It is my mission to work with the other board members and the community members to make Langford the place to call home. I do hope to have your vote on June 2nd. If I am elected, I will do everything in my power to listen to your ideas and bring them to the table at town meetings and advocate for you, the people. No matter the outcome, I will always stand up for Langford. I will always work to make our home a better place to grow up and to grow old.
