Frye Vies for Duncan’s House Seat

Elizabeth Bailey

Dec. 10--This week, Oldenburg area resident Randall Frye added his name to the list of candidates vying for the Indiana House of Representatives seat currently occupied by Rep. Cleo Duncan (R-Greensburg).

Frye was born at Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville on July 7, 1955 to Marjorie (Alley) and Lucian Frye and graduated from Batesville High School in 1973. He began a career in telecommunications with GTE in 1975, installing telephone service to homes and businesses in central Indiana as an installer/mantainer. The same year, he married Deborah (Shell) on June 7. The two have been married for 34 years and have two children and six grandchildren.

Eight years later, he and his family relocated to West Palm Beach, Fla., for Frye to begin a career as a firefighter with the Town of Palm Beach Fire/Rescue Department. In 1984, he received certification from the state of Florida as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician. The next year, he received Florida certification as a paramedic.

The Frye family returned to Indiana in 1989 to reside in Shelby County when he was hired by the Washington Township, Indianapolis Fire Department. That same year, he was certified as an Indiana First Class Fire Fighter, Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic. The following year, he received certification as a Hazardous Materials Technician.

In 1996, Frye earned his associates degree in Christian vocation from Cincinnati Christian University. The same year, he was honored with the Benjamin Franklin Award for service above and beyond the call of duty for his efforts in coordinating disaster relief for victims of the North Ridge earthquake in southern California.

He purchased Blue River Telecommunications in 2001, and the company changed its name this year to Blue River Technology. The business is located in Decatur County, providing information technology services along with telecommunications and other services. As the president of the company, he supervises eight employees serving Indiana and the Midwest.

Now, Frye is in his 20th year as a fire lieutenant with the City of Indianapolis Fire department, overseeing 40 firefighters as the executive officer to Battalion 6.

“I feel a deep commitment and connection to all of the counties in District 67,” Frye informed those present at his announcement.

For him, there are a number of important issues that need to be addressed in state government, he continued. Agriculture is among his priorities.

“I feel a deep commitment to assist our farmers to protect, retain and grow their farming operations,” he said. “I love my land, and I think it’s important to have a representative that worked in agriculture.”

Small business also joins the ranks of his priorities. He and his wife know first-hand, from owning Blue River Technology, how difficult it is to make it as a small business. With this in mind, if elected, he would work to create a more friendly environment for business.

Another item on the list of challenges faced by the district, he said, is technology. Without high speed, modern technology, he noted, attracting new business is difficult. This also impacts educational opportunities. If students do not have access to high speed Internet both at school and at home, they are placed at a disadvantage, especially in distance education opportunities.

Cell phone service also impacts the area, he noted, as many parts of the district have spotty coverage at best.

“Recently, while traveling from southern Ripley County to Milan, my cell phone disconnected six times,” he said. “My customer couldn’t believe how poor the cell service was in our area. Many business professionals rely heavily on cellular service.”

With many issues on the horizon, Frye hopes to follow his career of public service as a fire fighter with service to the state as a member of the House of Representatives. He is also inspired by U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R-District 6).

“His commitment to God, country, duty and community are the same guides I apply to my life,” he said.

Frye welcomes the input of area residents and would plan to stay in close contact with the Republican party chairs of the counties within District 67, he also noted.

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