A Westmoreland man is looking to help Pottawatomie county grow by running for the District 3 seat on the Pottawatomie County Commission. Travis Altenhofen, 26, graduated from K-State Polytechnic in 2013 with degrees in aeronautical technology and finance. Altenhofen, a Republican, currently serves on the Rock Creek school board. He says it isn’t as much a love for politics as it is serving his community.
“I’m running because I think God gave me the talents and gifts to serve in the capacity of commissioner, if the people are willing to give me a shot to show that,” Altenhofen said. He will be looking to unseat current commissioner Stan Hartwich, who is serving his third term.
Altenhofen says growth in the county has been great, but the county is also susceptible to economic threats.
“We’ve got a taxpayer who pays 50% of the property tax in the county – and that’s great. But I believe that’s a great risk that is out there,” said Altenhofen. “I would like to see the county work proactively to decrease that risk by bringing in new business and adding to the tax base.”
