Logan County Commissioner Mark Sharpton says he decided to run for public office because he saw a need for someone who had a concern for the people to fill that position. “Rather than sitting on the sidelines and griping, I thought I would put my beliefs in action,” he said.

Sharpton, whose previous occupation was commercial roofing, said he likes to apply practical solutions to everyday problems and serve the people in a pleasant and sincere manner.

Sharpton says his wife, Shannon, has helped him tremendously in serving the public. “Not only does she support me in my role as county commissioner, but she assists others through her role as a legislative assistant at the state capital.

Sharpton says one of the questions he asks job applicants who enter the Logan County District 1 office is, “Who do we work for?”

While the answers vary, Sharpton said his motive in asking is to see if those applying for a job understand that working for “the county” is really working for “the people.”

During his six-year tenure as an elected official, Sharpton has observed that sometimes people in public service end up serving the job, or themselves, instead of the people. “I frequently remind myself and my work force that the citizens of the county are the real bosses. They pay our wages and we answer to them. That’s why when we receive phone calls from constituents who say, ‘I don’t mean to bother you,’ I tell them, “You’re not. I work for you. That’s why I’m here.

“Listening to citizens’ concerns and responding as promptly as possible to their requests is my responsibility,” Sharpton says. “It is also my philosophy and my pleasure.

Sharpton says he believes the concept of public service is really pretty simple. It is to serve the people. "And maybe," he adds, “If we remember that on a daily basis, we will have the opportunity to continue doing so.”