“It’s better to leave on a planned basis rather than be knocked out,” said the popular, but sometimes controversial politician. “Twenty-eight years goes quick.”
Kilburn, who learned his conservative philosophy from his father, has seen a lot of changes in Warren County, from its explosive growth to a changing political landscape.
When Kilburn ran in the 1982 primary for the commission seat, a race he won by 19 votes after a counting error was found, Warren County had a population of a little more than 100,000.
Today, the county has more than 200,000 residents and has been the second fastest growing in Ohio for the past decade.
In the early 1990s, the housing boom came as cornfields became subdivisions. Kilburn drew the ire of the home builders because of his position on planning and zoning issues. He said commissioners spent a lot of time working to determine how they wanted Warren County to appear in the future.
“County commissioners have more to do with urban sprawl than any other elected official,” Kilburn said. “They decide where water and sewer lines go and the density of homes.”
He said the mushrooming residential growth created other problems. “We killed the schools in Little Miami because of growth,” Kilburn said. “New people who wanted and passed school levies are not voting for them now.”
“I’m most proud that I resisted uncontrolled, unbelievable and unbridled residential growth,” he said.
Kilburn’s frankness and candor and his positions on various issues also made his tenure as the longest serving commissioner controversial.
Among his more quotable quotes over the years were: “You can’t stuff 10 pounds of (crap) into a five-pound bag;” “God only wants 10 percent but the government wants 40 percent;” “I’ve known county commissioners who would tell you a lie when the truth was a better story.”
However, in 2009, the quote that made national headlines was when Kilburn said as federal stimulus dollars were being released, “I’ll let Warren County go broke before taking any of (President Barack) Obama’s filthy money.”
Kilburn has consistently voted against accepting any funding for federal programs, even before the Obama stimulus programs.
“I can’t say I would do anything differently,” he said. “I guess I’m a 'Republicrat.’ I was the tea party before there was a tea party.”
His balance
Not all of Kilburn’s personality is as rough as he was on the outside. His wife, Debbie, who died from cancer two years ago, kept him balanced.
Kilburn became emotional and had to step away to wipe the tears in his eyes during a recent interview.
“She kept me focused on what was important,” he said. “She went through the whole thing with me. We did everything together.”
He said they talked about him running for Congress and that she said she thought he’d be an effective national leader.
“I miss her, but I know where she’s at,” he said. “She set a good foundation for the kids and that’s what it’s all about. Politics comes and goes, but life and love you take with you forever.”
While Kilburn lost his race for the GOP nomination for the 2nd Congressional District seat earlier this year, he said he “had no regrets.”
“I was the most disappointed person in the district... I thought I’d win,” he said. “I had a lot of fun and met a lot of good people.”
Modernizing the infrastructure
Among the accomplishments during his tenure, Kilburn pointed to the self-insuring health care for county workers, the establishment of the first county-owned telephone company and 911 system in the state.
In addition, he saw major county buildings constructed — all paid for in cash — such as the new jail, the Probate/Juvenile Court building and the attached juvenile detention center and new Mary Haven facility and the new administration buildings.
When he took office 28 years ago, the county’s general operating fund balance was $7.6 million that included $800,000 in debt service. Today, the general fund budget is about $60 million with just more than $100,000 in debt service.
Leaving after 28 years
One issue that disappointed him was the relationship with then-Sheriff Tom Ariss on double-bunking inmates at the county jail. Kilburn said double-bunking would save the county money at the jail but Ariss wouldn’t push it because the state’s minimum jail standards.
This year, the state has agreed to allow the jail to double-bunk inmates with some modifications to the facility.
“Had we done this 10 years ago, we could have saved a lot of money and the people who needed to be in jail could have been kept there,” he said.
Kilburn said he and Ariss have mended fences and are friends.
Ariss was elected in November to take Kilburn’s seat on the commission in January.
Ariss said Kilburn has been helpful during the transition period.
Commissioner Pat South, who has served with Kilburn for the 18 years, said there was a long list of things she’ll miss.
“I’ll miss the homespun comments and cliches,” South said.
The future
After he steps down, Kilburn said he’s going to take time to enjoy his family and children.
“I want to see them grow to be happy and productive citizens and start their own families,” he said.
Kilburn said he’ll be busy with his funeral home business and spend more time tinkering around his Salem Twp. farm.
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