Outgoing county judge, officials offer advice, say goodbyes

As the year comes to a finish, the Kendall County Commissioners Court bid goodbye to several officials and staffers Tuesday morning.

Two county commissioners and longtime County Judge Darrell Lux hosted their final meeting at that time.

Lux in his parting words to incoming officials and residents urged them to remain pleasant.

“Be nice, you can win an election by being nice. You can win an election without being ugly on social media,” Lux said. “Whenever people come to ask some members of the court for something, believe it or not, you can be nice in your presentation too.”

Closing out his speech, Lux made it clear this was his final foray into public office, adding, “Will I be back? Absolutely not. I’ll have a different constituency, and they’re all going to have four legs.”

Lux thanked his wife and the commissioners for their support during his tenure as judge. Lux first served the county as the Precinct 3 commissioner in 1997 until he was appointed to the judge’s seat in 2013 after the death of Gaylan Schroeder.

Lux, a Republican, ran with no opposition in November 2014 and was elected county judge, and has continued to serve in that capacity.

“It was honestly one of the best things that I have ever done,” Lux said, choking up. “Serving our community is such a special thing. I probably wouldn’t know any percent of y’all if I hadn’t taken this position. Y’all, the people that work for Kendall County, in my opinion, are truly professionals.”

Two more commissioner seats will see new faces as both Precinct 2’s Richard Elkins and Don Durden of Precinct 4 bid adieu to their public service.

Durden, who has lived in Precinct 4 all of his life, was first elected to fill the vacant seat in 2016, winning in a landslide victory, 79% to 21%, against his Republican opponent.

Successfully running once more in 2018, Durden opted to give up his time in public office this election cycle.

“Kendall County is a great place. It really is. If you’ve been anywhere else and lived here after that, you know what a special place it is,” Durden said.

Elkins, a Republican who has served several terms from the dais, has worked tirelessly during the past few legislative sessions to grant counties more control over development and density – a power that has been continuously stripped of county and city officials over the past two decades.

Lux, as he did with all those leaving office, thanked Elkins for his work and specifically noted the “unique skills” he brought to the court.

“I’ve always been told to keep it simple,” Elkins said. “Thank you for the opportunity. As one chapter closes, another opens in January.”

The former Precinct 2 commissioner, who relinquished his seat to unsuccessfully run for the county judge’s spot, has vowed to continue his legislative efforts during next year’s session.

Shane Stolarczyk will be the new county judge Jan. 1, and Andra Wisian and Chad Carpenter will step into the precinct 2 and 4 spots respectively.

Fighting back tears, Lux said farewell to Sally Peters, who has served as his administrative assistant since 2005.

Tuesday was her last commissioners court meeting as well.

“Through Commissioners Court, that’s a window into county government,” Peters said, thanking everyone for the experience and knowledge she garnered while tracking the commissioners’ yeas and nays over the past 17 years.

“This has been my favorite Commissioners Court,” Peters added.

Others attending their final meetings as public officials included County Clerk Darlene Herrin, General Counsel Bob Ballard and Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Leon Brimhall, who were all individually recognized for their long and dedicated work in Kendall County.