Oklahoma County official faces tough road in closing divide New cOMMISSIONER SAYS HE HOPES TO END FOUR YEARS OF INFIGHTING
BY BRYAN DEAN
Published: November 17, 2008
Brian Maughan has a lot of roads and bridges to build.
There are the roads like SE 74, which ends just east of Henney Road, making it difficult for nearby residents to get where they need to go. And there are the bridges between Oklahoma County officials, which have virtually collapsed in the past four years as infighting turned personal and political grudges played out in public meetings.
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Maughan, the recently elected District 2 Oklahoma County commissioner, said rebuilding relationships with his fellow elected officials is just as important as making sure section line roads in District 2 are paved.
"I really think that for the first time since I’ve been familiar with county politics, there is actually a chance that all eight elected officials could really have some harmony,” Maughan said.
Maughan, 31, said he is on friendly terms with all seven of the county’s other elected officeholders and also has tried to reach every living former commissioner to ask for advice.
In the past 10 elections involving incumbent commissioners, only two have won re-election.
Maughan worked for two commissioners, both of whom lost re-election campaigns.
"I’ve been asking all of them what they would have done different and what they think I should do,” Maughan said. "I think a lot of them were marred by decisions they made in the first 100 days on the job. It’s something that has not been lost on me. You make decisions that affect you the rest of your career. You only get one chance.”
Maughan’s first task will be hiring his office staff. He pledged to advertise all open positions and said he understands the importance of surrounding himself with qualified people.
Maughan said he’s been told he’s the youngest person ever elected commissioner in Oklahoma County, but he said the issue rarely came up when he talked to voters and he is confident he has the experience to do the job.
"It’s probably the one time in my life being bald is an advantage,” he said.
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Legacy of conflict
Brian Maughan, above, defeated incumbent District 2 Commissioner Brent Rinehart in a primary this summer and won the general election Nov. 4.
Rinehart often clashed with other county officials during his four years in office. The hostility reached a boil when Rinehart and another former commissioner abolished the budget board. Rinehart repeatedly traded insults and accusations with Sheriff John Whetsel and Assessor Leonard Sullivan.
"Obviously, there has been a great divide between District 2 and the other officials,” Maughan said. "I have communicated with all the other elected officials throughout the campaign. I feel very good about how we are coming in and the tone.”
Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
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