MOUNT VERNON — Incumbent Republican Bill Pursel is running for re-election as Knox County commissioner. Democrat Roger Munday hopes to unseat him. Both were unopposed in the May primary.
Munday previously was vice president of operations and tech support for a third-party administrator. He worked in health care for a couple of years before returning as a programmer with his former company.
“I was really planning on retiring and working for enjoyment, but I have been called to this race as I need to help save the country,” he said.
Munday said that if elected, he would bring a “different voice for the community” to the Board of Commissioners.
“Right now, it is a single-party government in Knox County. We need more diverse voices to avoid tunnel vision at the least and corruption at the worst,” he said. “My 20-plus years of experience in management and project management in the private sector makes me not a politician, but rather a person who can work together and get something done.”
Munday said he is running for commissioner so he can be part of the solution.
“Last February I decided I could be upset with the course the MAGA Republicans were taking to turn our country into a facist dictatorship, or I could run to be part of the solution to save the country,” he explained. “I chose to run for commissioner because my private sector experience as a vice president of operations and tech support would help me in succeeding as commissioner.”
Munday has attended meetings in all 22 Knox County townships. His top two priorities as commissioner are assisting townships in getting more money for roads and helping the county prosecutor’s office get an assistant prosecutor so that townships can get timely answers to questions.
“These are not primary functions of the commissioner, but I will work with the people I need to to solve issues. I will never say ‘it is not my job,’” he said.
To achieve those priorities, Munday said he would need to work with the other officers in county government and assist them in meeting the needs of the people.
“The goal will be to work together to meet the community’s needs, as it always should be,” he said.
Munday believes he is the right person for the job.
“I have always been successful in my careers, so I will be in this endeavor, but let’s be honest,” he said. “Right now, all of us should be involved in politics to stop the MAGA Republicans from taking away our republic democracy.
“Over 30 years ago, we chose to live in this great small town to raise our three children because I knew the schools were good and crime was low,” he said. “I want to pass this on to everyone who lives in Mount Vernon.
Bill Pursel
Pursel said he is running for re-election because he has a deep love and appreciation for the benefits in Knox County, enjoys and relates well with people, and loves crunching numbers, which fits well with the commissioners’ budget requirements.
“I take pleasure in assisting other elected and appointed officials to be their best as servants to those in Knox County. My working relationship with Commissioners [Teresa] Bemiller and [Thom] Collier has proven to be solid and forward-thinking,” he said, adding that he loves finding practical and creative solutions to meet goals.
“I keep in mind that it is not government that solves problems, but it is people who solve problems. As commissioner, I will continue to look for strong private partnerships to make Knox County the strongest community it can be. It will be the strengths of our community that allow us to overcome the challenges that come our way.”
Pursel said his top priority as commissioner is to be frugal with a $19 million general fund budget.
“The needs of the county far exceed the amount of revenue available,” he said. “Tough decisions need to be made. We do not print money when more money is needed.”
His second priority relates to assisting other elected and appointed officials to be their best. He said this requires working with them within the budget to ensure they are appropriately funded to perform their statutory duties.
Pursel said he would continue to use his experience at the township and county level, in the private sector, and in community service roles to benefit the county.
Citing his 37 years as a benefits specialist as an example, Pursel said when he became commissioner, he undertook a review of county benefits.
“We made the necessary adjustments, which have resulted in one renewal increase of 0.9%, which is now being followed by a 0% increase for 2023,” he said.
Pursel pointed to the capital improvements the Board of Commissioners either completed during the past four years or are on the horizon, noting that the board did the projects without needing bond financing.
“In some cases, we have paid off bonds early,” he said.
Additionally, Pursel referenced working with the county prosecutor to develop ways to attract new assistant prosecutors and bringing in-house the IT and human resources departments. In discussing the projects, he highlighted using the term “we.”
“A commissioner must work with the other two commissioners to move the county along,” he explained. “We have different gifts, talents, and ideas that need to work together in a civil manner. I believe I bring this spirit of cooperation in these challenging times.”
Pursel believes he is the right person for the commissioner seat because of his strong relationship with the townships, his service on numerous state and local boards, and his work with faith-based and community leaders to help solve hunger and housing problems.
“I have been constantly a hard worker in the community who wants to see the very best happen for Knox County. With Intel knocking at our doors, my connections with the state officials will prove powerful,” he said.
“As a servant to all of Knox County, I will continue to be an excellent forward-thinking community leader and not just a sideline specator,” he continued. “My administrative and frugal budgeting skills have helped keep our county on a solid financial ground. It is my hope that everyone in Knox County will have a job to go to, a place to sleep, food on the table, and a hope for a positive tomorrow.”
