Cook aims to bring county government ‘out of the shadows’ as commissioner
Ted Cook. The very name causes many Hardin County politicians to feel their blood pressure rise.
He’s been an outspoken––and highly visible––critic of county government ever since former county mayor Joe Barker presided over the abolishment of the local office of constable, costing Cook his badge. On any given night, he’s often as not attending some local government meeting asking questions and making suggestions.
Perhaps Cook’s biggest claim to fame is organizing the 2004 public referendum which overturned a $28 increase in the wheel tax to fund a new jail after commissioners staged a surprise vote on the issue. Commissioners later turned the tables on their nemesis, though, hiking the wheel tax by $36 and blaming the additional increase on Cook for bringing the tax matter to the people for a vote, delaying construction.
Cook’s twice run for county mayor, but this time is setting his sights on the legislative body, seeking a District 6 seat on the Hardin County Commission, where he somewhat grandly envisions ousting the mayor from the traditional post of commission chairman and ensconcing himself in the post.
But despite the irritant factor, Cook is known for generally doing his homework and has gained a grudging respect in some political circles.
His latest campaign slogan is, "He has talked the talk for 10 years. Let’s see if he can walk the walk."
Cook, 64, contends "the county is disorganized. The county is dysfunctional. The county commission lets the mayor do the legislative branch’s work."
The county commission’s vote to hike the wheel tax despite a public referendum to the contrary is a "living example" of how Hardin County does not have representative government, he said.
Cook said he is running for office because he owes it to his four grandsons to help provide a county home that is clean and safe, has a government on sound financial footing, and that efficiently plans and acts for today and tomorrow.
Hardin County is fortunate in that its retail sector is growing and real estate development is booming, he said.
And while industrial development has lagged and Team Hardin County has found itself becoming a political football to be kicked around this election year, Cook said he has "no problem with the concept of what Team Hardin County is supposed to do. I have a problem with the way Team Hardin County executed that concept."
The economic development organization "doesn’t need to be abolished," he argues. "It needs to be restructured."
Cook pledged that if elected, he will "represent the citizens of Hardin County in such a manner that not the first citizen that voted for me or recommended me to their family or friends in the 6th District, will ever be disappointed with their decision."
He also promised to "conduct the affairs of the county in accordance with the spirit and intent of the Sunshine Laws and the Open Meetings Act."
Asked if he worries about losing effectiveness by becoming a part of county government, he said, "A Ted Cook shouldn’t be needed on the outside. If they didn’t conduct their business in the shadows, there wouldn’t be a need for a Ted Cook."
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