This is the first in a series of articles about candidates who have chosen to advertise on
The Logan Journal.
Jo Orange, who has been a conservative voice on Logan Fiscal Court for 12 years, is seeking a fourth term as the magistrate representing the Fifth District, which is comprised mostly of Auburn and the Bucksville area.
She is the lone Republican office holder in Logan County and has been so for several years. She is also the only woman to serve on the court during that time
During her tenure on the court, Jo Orange says she has endeavored to do the following:
*Spend your money wisely to make Logan County a better place to live
*Maintain and improve roads based on need instead of politics
*Exert positive leadership
*Run the county in a business-like way
*Listen to and act on the needs and concerns of her constituents
Jo Orange brought a background with widespread interests and experiences when she was first elected to Logan Fiscal Court and she has added to it ever since. She grew up on a working farm with her dad, the late Carl Van Zee, expecting his five children to do their share of the labor. That not only included brothers John, Richard, Henry and Jerry Van Zee, but also the only girl, Jo.
“My dad and mother (Rena, who is still living) instilled a strong work ethic in all their children,” she recalls. “He taught me to drive a tractor and do farm chores. I still use those skills regularly.”
She did her college work at Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky, earning her doctorate. She taught school at both Auburn and Chandlers before becoming a central office administrator in the Logan County School District until her retirement.
Jo Van Zee married fellow Northeast Logan resident Charles Orange, and they started a successful and respected family. After working as a 4-H agent for several years, Charles returned to school to earn his law degree. He practiced law in Logan County before making history by being elected Logan County’s first Republican Commonwealth Attorney, a position he still held at the time of his death.
They were a unique couple as Logan’s only Republican office holders in partisan races.
The Oranges have three grown children who are graduates of Logan County High School. Edwin and his wife Lindsay have both worked in state government and live in the Frankfort area. They are the parents of Jo’s grandchildren, Caroline and Raleigh. Jennifer teaches at Adairville Middle School where she coaches the academic team. Her husband, Gary Jenkins, farms in South Logan. His mother, Elaine Jenkins, is the long-time Logan County treasurer. Mary is married to Stephen Hardison. They live in the Lexington area where she is a law student.
“I became a Christian at an early age, and church has always been an important part of my life,” says Orange, who is currently serving as treasurer of Chandlers Chapel United Methodist Church.
She is involved in many worthwhile causes in the community and is especially involved in improving the lives of young children, many of who need to be in foster homes.
Jo Orange wants to continue her service through serving on Logan Fiscal Court four more years.
Paid for by Jo Orange