Joe Edward Maynard
Age 65
3363 Blacklog Road

Education/work experience:

I am a Sheldon Clark High School graduate, where I had two years of vocational school in auto mechanics. My early work experience included working as a surface and/or underground coal miner for 24 years, working as an auto mechanic and a wrecker operator for my dad and for myself following his death, and working as a sales associate for Lowes in Paintsville for three years.

To what extent have you been a part of the local government in Martin County?

The extent of my involvement with local government mainly consists of the last 15 years of my employment which included working as road foreman for 13-1/2 years, wherein I was involved in the repairing of the county’s infrastructures, such as road repairs and bridge repair/replacement, and as the flood plain coordinator, enforcing the codes according to my position. I was involved with our county government on a personal and professional level, attending meetings to make sure all improvements could be made for the betterment of our county.

What do you believe to be the top three issues affecting Martin County?

The top issues affecting our county are the need for jobs, the need for better industry, including better water, and the need to avoid excess and wasteful spending. Obviously, one of the greatest concerns on the minds of our citizens is our water resources. Many attempts have been made to correct it, yet to no avail.

If elected, what changes/goals would you advocate and why?

If elected, the goal for which I would advocate is to involve the citizens of our country, let them have a say in what needs to be done. It seems many of the past decisions of elected officials were made without consulting them, and they are the ones we are elected to serve.

My goal is to work together to get as much industry in our county as possible.

I would hope to work with our state government to acquire funds to conduct the repairs of our failing infrastructures.

I would like to work toward the completion of Highway 645. I know this would be a task worth pursuing in order to open us up for more business.

Why should voters vote for me?

Because I believe my years of experience, including being involved firsthand with the issues of repairs needed in our county, listening to the citizens who voiced concerns about the needed repairs, and being involved with the fiscal court, have prepared me to advocate for them as a magistrate. When I was county road foreman, we ran into the issue of water lines not being buried deep enough. I saw in some places, through our ditch lines, that the lines were buried no deeper than 6 to 8 inches below the surface. There are many places where the water lines are laid over solid rock, where vibrations and winter weather caused them to burst. This was the fault of bad management in which contractors were allowed to do as they pleased without fulfilling their contractual obligations.

I hope to use the position of magistrate to continue learning and applying my experiences for the improvement of a better Martin County for all. Can that happen? I truly believe it is possible, but not as a Lone Ranger. If this wonderful county of ours is going to grow, it will take all of us, not just a few. Every citizen needs to get involved and let their concerns be heard. We need to be accountable for the actions we take. The position of magistrate is not just a job to draw a paycheck. It is an undertaking for those elected to be a part of a solution for our neighbors, our families and those who may visit our little community. I know many in Martin are tired of seeing growth all around us in other counties, and I hope I can become an integral part of the solution for all Martin Countians. Thank you and may God bless you.

Joe Maynard