County Board Featured at First Friday Luncheon

The Effingham County Board was the featured topic at the Effingham County Chamber's First Friday Luncheon.

County Board Chairman Josh Douthit headed the presentation. Board members Jeremy Deters, Chris Keller and Doug McCain were also in attendance.

Douthit discussed plans to push Effingham County "as a brand, more than just a unit of government." He wants to raise the visibility of the county and be more involved in the community, all the while being mindful of the county's budget. 

Personally, Douthit discussed those who have been a part of the movers and shakers through the years in Effingham and said, "My goal is to be one of those." He suggested that as leaders make the transition out of the public eye, they should find younger individuals to come alongside and take their place.

As far as the other three board members present, Deters spoke of his years in military service and said a transition to the county board is a continuation of "a public service thing." He said he wants to continue defending the lifestyle in Effingham County.

Keller said he was approached about running for the Board and said, "I wanted to serve."

McCain, the senior board member in years of service, said he has been in the public through his business for many years and when an opportunity to serve on the county board presented itself, he said, "I thought I'd try this."

The five other County Board members are Dave Campbell, Norbert Soltwedel, Jeremy Kyle, Elizabeth Huston and Sandra Gillet.