Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce and KOMB Sponsored a Candidates’ Forum at the Fort Scott Community College on Monday evening at 6pm.

U.S. House of Representatives, District 2

Kansas Senate – Karen Tyson vs. Denise Cassells

Karen Tyson talked about her experience working with NASA and how that prompted her to want to get involved in reducing government waste.

Denise Cassells says she has lived on a farm for her whole live so she is familiar with the rural area. She talked about her experience working with managing businesses.

KanCare

Ms. Cassells said that her understanding of KanCare was that there were three insurances working to provide the contract to Kansas. She said that the state of Kentucky did the same thing, but they are now being sued over it. She isn’t sure that the plan will save money overall. She is open to looking at the program and hopes it works for the state.

Ms. Tyson says she previously voted on this legistlation and she was one of the people who voted for an oversight committee for KanCare. She doesn’t feel that the legistlature had any oversight over how KanCare would work. She said that the representative that carried the bill was killed in a car accident later that day, so “it was a trying case for him.”

Small Business Tax Rate Change

Ms. Tyson was asked about the projected deficit from the change that will help lower the taxes on small businesses. She said that businesses that are able to keep more money will allow them to create jobs and spend the money in other ways that will help generate more revenues. She said that Missouri is worried that businesses and individuals will move to Kansas to take advantage of this business environment.

Ms. Cassells feel that the projections are accurate. She feels that the property taxes should be lowered in order to put money back in people’s pockets and generate jobs. She doesn’t think people will see much benefit from it.

Cassells asked Tyson about an ammendment she proposed that would have eliminated the earned income credit. Asked how she could justify voting “against children” and for “businesses”.  Tyson said the information was inaccurate and she had worked with someone to keep the rate the same. She also tried to make all tax programs “non-refundable” in order to keep people from getting back more than they paid in taxes. She said this would save Kansas $97.5 million per year.

Tyson asked Cassells how she came up with a number of 38% for property tax. Cassells said it came from the legislative research office.

Tyson said that the number was wrong. She also said that she had worked on a school supply tax holiday.  She said that the numbers that were calculated were extremely high implying that the business tax rate change may similarly overstated.  She talked about the effort of keeping the SRS office open.  She read the following quote:

America is great because she is good. If American ceases to be good America will cease to be great.

Cassells said that the SRS spent $200,000 to change the name of the SRS.  She feels that many of the tax deductions will hurt voters. She said we need to look at what it will cost us at the local level. She called on her experience as a Republican, Independent and now a Democrat as an indicator of her ability to vote for the people.

Kansas Sente District 13

Jake LaTurner’s opponent was not present so he was given two minutes to speak. He said he is in this race to make a difference in South East Kansas and thinks we can grow our economy by becoming more competitive with neighboring states. He supports “worth infrastructure projects” and “equality in school funding.” He said the next few years are going to be difficult for Kansas financially but he feels that the state can offset those deficits with new revenue streams.

Kansas House of Representatives District 2.

Bob Grant  thanked the Chamber for putting on the event. He told a little about his family. He talked about his roots in the area and his experience.

Jeff Locke said he is doing this for his children and grandchildren. He said he wants to make sure that property taxes aren’t the results of people leaving the area. He said he was happy to be in a $10 Million dollar auditorium build by contributions. He said he is pro-life.

Amendment to classify boats differently than other property

Jeff Locke said he does support the ammendment because it will get more people to tage their boats here. He said that a $30,000 boat would spend $10,000 over five years. He said that currently the boat tax doesn’t even bring in enough to pay for collecting the tax as it stands now.

Bob Grant said he doesn’t feel you can justify taking property taxes off boats. He doesn’t know if bringing them back in because of the amount of money it would cost to bring them back in. He feels that lowering tax on food would help elderly and give people a break as the property taxes go up.

Mandated healthcare coverage

Bob Grant feels that legistlature should look into whether Kansas should create an insurance exchange. He said he hasn’t read the affordable care act because it is “this thick”. He said there are some good things in it. He wants to start with the “good things that are in there.”

Jeff Locke said it is another layer of bureaucracy. He feels we should have created a healthcare amendment and let people vote on it. He suggests that health insurance be sold across state lines. He also suggested that businesses and organizations be allowed to pool together to get better rates.  He said that creating thousands of pages of regulations is wrong.

Sales tax on food

Jeff Locke said that an exemption on food sales tax would give a bigger benefit to people who buy lobster. He suggests giving people a “pre-bate” for basic necessities. He said we can lower sales tax by removing special exemptions.

Bob Grant does support an exemption on food sales tax to help elderly and people on fixed incomes. He said the current tax plan passed by the governor is “Robin Hood in reverse.”

Locke asked Grant said he is going to take a pledge to fulfill the full term if elected and asked if Bob Grant would take a pledge to do the same. Bob Grant said he would finish the term.

Bob Grant said he had no questions for Jeff Locke.

Bob Grant again thanked the chamber and people from coming out. He appealed to his track record of working with Democrats and Republicans which he feels is important in “these trying times.” He said he is pro-life with the voting record to prove it.

Jeff Locke said he has worked for 25 years as a teacher and as a negotiator for the faculty. He feels that state solutions are better than federal mandates. He once again pointed out that the building was build without taking tax money from people and that it is much better to have a choice how you spend your money.

Kansas House of Representative District 4

Shirley Palmer opened by calling on her 40 years experience as a classroom teacher and her 4 years in government  She said she has four degrees including one from FSCC and three from Pittstate.

Marty Read said he is pro-life, pro 2nd amendment and pro-small business. He thanked the chamber for creating the forum.

State Base Aid Per Pupil has Declined. Would you support increasing it.

Marty Read said the public sector is supported by the private sector.

Palmer said she would support increasing the dollars spent per student. She said that our constitution allows us to spend up to 65%, but we aren’t doing that. She feels the schools are suffering because of that.

Smoking is banned in most public places. What do you think about banning it in casinos.

Palmer said she has lost relatives to cancer and feels second hand smoke is destrimental to our health. She voted for the ban and said she lost a lot of votes. She feels that what is “good for one ought to be good for the other.”

Read said he is against smoking. He said he would vote against smoking in casinos.

Do you support the expansion of Medicaid in Kansas

Marty Read said he doesn’t know enough about it and would have to study it.

Shirley Palmer said she does support it because she feels that a lot of other states do it and if we don’t do it Kansas “would not equal what they would be deserving to have.”

Read asked Palmer if there is anything in the platform of the democatic party that she would change. She said there are. She said she is a Christian and she feels that the stance on pro-choice vs. pro-life isn’t something she agrees with. She is pro-life. She believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman. She said there are many that positions that she does not agree with.

Palmer asked Read about a statement when he stated that he was running for “extreme conservatism and no compromise.” She asked how he plans to avoid gridlock. He said he can’t compromise. He is pro-life and pro-traditional marriage. He feels that liberalism has attacked the family and that is why he stated that and that he will “stick to his guns”. He feels he can get along with the “other side of the aisle.”

Read closed with pointing out that he is not a career politician and doesn’t want to be one. He feels that states are in a competitive position regarding jobs. He feels lower taxes will attract jobs. He pointed out that people go to Missouri to buy tax and with lower taxes we could attract them to Kansas. He stressed that he is pro-life, pro-second amendment.

Palmer closed by saying that she really loves people and wants to help them. She asked for voters support. She wants to keep people informed and communicate with people. Her priorities will be job creation, bringing businesses to Kansas. She disagrees with the the current tax strategy. She feels compromise is very important and there is a need to reach across party lines.

Bourbon County Clerk

Evelyn Taylor said she has worked in the medical field. She has worked with the public and feels she has a great way of working with people.

Kendall Mason said she worked for Great West and the Bourbon County office. She listed a number of duties she performed there and said she is back working as Clerk because she was appointed to finish the term.

How would you increase voter turnout

She said she encourages people to vote, but is more interested in free advertising. She pointed out that we’ve had over 700 people vote already. She feels the current turnout is good.

Taylor said she would have to access the situation, but felt there has been a lot of turn out.

Extended voting hours

Taylor said she would continue offering extended voting hours.

Mason said if the voter turnout is good and justifies the cost, it should be kept.

Technology in clerks office

Mason said she feels it is adequate from what she has seen.

Taylor said she’d have to assess it when she gets into office.

Taylor and Mason said they had no questions for each other.

Mason closed by thanking the current office help in the clerk’s office and everyone who has supported her.

Taylor thanked all her supporters and the people who believed in her. She feels the transition into the clerks office won’t be as hard as if she had no clerical experience. She said she is a person of good moral character.

Bourbon County Commission

Barbara Albright says she has always wanted to serve the public and started looking at the position when she heard Endicott wasn’t going to run again.

Clyde Killion said he has worked with commissioners in the past so he knows what they do.

Important issue in Bourbon County

Albright said the declining tax base is probably the most important issue. She said she is very interested in building the tax base and being efficient.

Killion said we need jobs to get our tax base up or we are going to have to pay more taxes.

New detention facility

Albright said there was a study where they looked at building a new detention facility and said she’d need to research that study before she could form an opinion.

Killion said he’d be willing to build one, but paying for it might be another problem. He thinks it would pay for itself.

Harold Coleman is running un-opposed for his seat on the commission.

Bourbon County Treasurer

Rhonda Dunn wants to put her experience in big oil and small family business to work in the county.

Susan Quick started in the treasurer’s office in 91 and ran when the treasurer she worked under retired. She appreciates the job and asked for people’s vote.

Public perception and how can it be improved

Quick said the public probably thinks that the office collects taxes and distributes the tax dollars and all of this has to balance. She said the office balances every day and at the end of each month and they do the best job they can.

Dunn said that looking back over the last 12 to 18 months the perception is one of mistrust and there is not confidence there. She said she would be open and fair and that she tends to overcommunicate. She feels the policies of the county should be very public with no “shroud of mystery”. She said the website can be improved to make things open.

Are you in favor of a payment plan

Dunn said she would be in favor of a plan that lets people pay their taxes on time. She said that getting $50 rather than $0 that is an improvement. She said with this economy this will become a bigger and bigger issue and wants the county to collect every dollar that we can.

Quick said there already is a payment plan. There was a problem with the interest rates on the previous software. She said they couldn’t advertise the payment plan or the county wouldn’t have any revenue. She said you can now pay any amount you want at any time and the new software will keep track of everything. She said the Attorney General’s office found that there was nothing done wrong in the office.

Checks and balances

Quick felt the checks and balances are adequate.

Dunn cited instances where accounts were out of balance for a few weeks while $3,000 was located. She said that payments to prisoners did not have two signatures. (Quick interjected that those did not come from the Treasurer’s office.) She said clearly there is not enough internal control.

Dunn asked Quick what she would do differently over the last 18 months while citing the missing $3,000 and the claim against Quick’s surety bond. Quick said there was no money missing and much of the problems were caused by disgruntled employees.

Quick asked Dunn how she would collect taxes differently and how she would serve the public since she is always “so rude”. Dunn said she was rude in the Treasurer’s office because her name was printed in the paper and nothing printed matched what the person behind the desk told her and that Quick always hides behind the desk and doesn’t help anyone.

Quick closed by saying that she wants to be elected again and that the vehicle office is going to improve.  She said she works for everyone and at the time Ms. Dunn was in the office she was working with someone else in the back.

Dunn closed by saying that over the last two months it has been crystal clear that the county needs a new treasurer. She read from a letter to the editor by Edward Keating supporting that position. She cited her work ethic and integrity to do the position.

Bourbon County Register of Deeds

Number one issue to address

Lora Holdridge said that taxes and revenue are the biggest issue. She pointed out that her office is fee based and they take in about twice of what they spend.

Ann Clarkson said technology is her biggest issue. She said the current system could allow for electronic filing.

Public records available on line

Holdridge said she has mixed feelings because computers are only as good as what they put in. She said the stuff online is only available for businesses that show their business license. She said you can come into the office to get anything but having them online would make information available to everyone.

Clarkson said she agrees with making the records available online and that we should make everything available and things that shouldn’t be made available can be redacted.

Holdridge asked Clarkson how she feels that she doesn’t have integrity. Holdridge said that the public mistrusts elected officials and that as a whole that can be re-established.

Holdridge closed by saying that there are over 400,000 acres in Bourbon County. She said that her office is the protector of those records and that the things they do today are being done so someone can find what has been done 100 years from now.

Clarkson said she wanted to leave everyone with the question about what education is required for the office. She said the office should be striving to use better technology. She feels leadership experience is about what you will do in the future. She questioned what the current register of deeds has added to the office.

 Bourbon County Sheriff

Ron Gray was not in attendance so Bob Jackson spoke for two minutes rather than the question answer period. He gave his history of having worked at the police department. After he retired he tried selling cars and then went back to being a road deputy. He says there are many problems in the sheriff’s department and he is taking a big risk running against his boss. He believes the community needs better law enforcement in the county.  He said “It’s not safe out there. One of these days this county is going to wake up and we’ll be paying for a deputy’s hospital bills or attending a funeral.”

 Bourbon County Attorney

Terri Johnson is running unopposed. She talked about her background and family. Her staff is committed to holding people accountable for crimes they have committed. She feels she has the experience and integrity to continue to do that. She said she appreciates the support she has had and she is committed to doing the best job she can as county attorney.

 

The school board was voting on a proposed mill levy that would increase taxes to raise approximately $20,000 in taxes that would be matched by another $20,000 by the state vs. an amended budget that would keep the mill levy flat. The budget was completed previously, but due to an error in calculating the property tax, they were $40,000 short.

The proposed levy would raise the taxes on a home valued at $100,000 by about $5.50 per year.

Superintendent Dr. Diane Gross said that she is still assessing the needs of the school system. She mentioned some foundations that needed fixed, vehicles to be replaced, and the cost of professional development in order to prepare staff to create curriculum for new state standards. She said there were a lot of needs she hasn’t found yet, but said the money “would not be unspent”.

A number of people expressed concern for the students and that education would suffer if the mill levy wasn’t increased.

Some individuals pointed out that taking money away from the families would hurt the children.

Jamie Armstrong said if the school board felt they needed to raise taxes for the school district she supported their decision.

Joe Barr said that he is retired, but has taken a part time job to help offset the tax levies and high cost of living. He pointed out that he needs to replace his car just like the school system, but he can’t afford it. He also asked if there was a system in place to reward people who come up with cost savings ideas.

Chris Maycumber said that spending more money doesn’t necessarily mean the school system will achieve there goals, but it does make it harder for small businesses. He said that they can’t continue in business if every time the school system needs money they simply raise taxes. He pointed out that the $40,000 can be cut from the school’s budget without making major changes and urged them o keep the mill levy flat.

Janet Braun (President of the School Board) said that the school system has made all the cuts they could that wouldn’t effect students and that she was appreciative of all the feedback she was getting. She said that it was quite a shock to find out that the amount of money had decreased due to the tax error.

Jordan Witt (Vice President of the School Board) said he appreciated the time people took to come and voice their opinion. He was glad to see that there could be a community conversation without tearing the community apart. Justin Meeks (Board Member) said he was glad to see people involved and hopes that people will continue to be engaged in the budgeting process. Ken Rienbolt (Board Member) said that he is very familiar with the schools needs because he still has a junior in high-school.

Steve Floyd (Board Member) said he had made a list of the pros and cons for each side and said they came out pretty even. He said that the first area that would be cut would be buildings and facilities. He pointed out that since it is a small dollar amount it is more of a principle thing than a cost issue. He said they will possibly be looking at much larger needs next year to meet the district’s goals. He said he would be more comfortable looking at a plan with dollar amounts and voting on that based on what is best for the kids. He pointed out that the district will not fail if they don’t pass it and that the tax base isn’t going to fail if they do.

Belynda Davenport (Board Member) said that when she ran for office she told everyone that she wanted what was best for the children as well as the parents and community. She said her emails were half for the increase and half were against it. She said that the district had made a lot of cuts already. She said it was very positive that people were discussing and trying to come up with creative solutions. She also expressed a desire to support the new superintendent.

There was a motion to keep mill levy the same and lower the budgeted expenditure by Ken Rienbolt. Steve Floyd seconded the motion:

• Jordan Witt – Y
• Michelle Hudiburg – N
• Justin Meeks – Y
• Janet Braun – N
• Ken Rienbolt – Y
• Steve Floyd – Y
• Belynda Davenport – Y

Budget will be as amended with the loss of $40k to the school system and a savings of about $20k in local taxes.

 

Thursday August 23rd at 12 noon, there will be a special meeting at the USD-234 offices where the school district is expected to ask the board to vote for a tax increase. The public is invited to voice their opinion, but they will need to fill out a form at the meeting.

If you would like to be heard on the issue, but can’t attend the meeting, you can contact one of the board members. The current board members as listed on the USD 234 website are:

• Janet Braun , President
• Jordan Witt, Vice President
• Belynda Davenport
• Steve Floyd
• Michelle Hudiburg
• Justin Meeks
• Ken Rienbolt

The unofficial election results are posted at the Bourbon County website. Here are the results of the interesting races as I understand the unofficial counts.

• County Treasurer – Rhonda Dunn
• County Commission 2nd District – Barbara Albright
• County Register of Deeds – Lora Holdridge
• Sheriff – Ronald L. Gray
• County Clerk – Kendell Dawn Mason

Evelyn Taylor is a Democrat running for Bourbon County Clerk in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with her answers.

1. Please tell readers a little bit about yourself and your background.

My name is Evelyn Taylor and I have lived in Bourbon County for the past 30 years. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. My children were born in Fort Scott and attended the public schools here, and attended FSCC as well. My grandchildren will attend public schools here as well. I have a very strong relationship with my children. I remarried 2 years ago after the death of my husband of 26 years. Cancer took his life. He worked for Bourbon County for approximately 20 years as a Deputy with the Sheriff’s Dept. I started my career in the medical field working at a local nursing home before starting at Mercy hospital. I am a certified nurses aide, as well as an activity director and social service designee. I worked as a ward clerk and then a pharmacy tech. In 1993 I went to work for Newman Young Clinic in the OB/GYN office. In 1997 I left Mercy to work at another nursing home here in town. I obtained experience as receptionist, payroll clerk, and employee benefits and accounts payable. I advanced to office manager where my duties included Medicare, Medicaid, co-insurance billing, accounts receiveable, trust accounts, bank deposits, petty cash, order of supplies, maintain resident financial records, posting payments and helped with the budget. I have some experience with marketing as well. In 2006 I went back to Mercy as a pharmacy tech and then eventually ended up working in the Mercy Clinic where I presently work. I have always worked with the public.

 2. Why are you running for office?

For the past 15 years or so I have had an interest in working for the county. I have wanted to know how things work, and as a tax payer, where my money is spent and what is it being spent on. I knew that any office job with the county would be very interesting and challenging. I feel that with the experience I have obtained over the years that I would be an asset to the county.

 3. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing the county?

 I feel the most important issue we are facing is the economy.

 4. Why do you think you are a better choice for the voters than the incumbent?

I feel that there needs to be a change. I have good background in office experience. I am willing and able to learn every aspect of the clerk’s office. I deal very well with the public and feel that I am very capable of doing the job.

 5. What is the single most important skill you would bring to the office?

 Organizational skills, public relations and professionalism.

 6. If elected, what would your top priority be during your first 90 days?

 Education – learning every aspect of the job.

 7. Health insurance is one of the fastest growing expenses the county is facing. What are some ways you’d recommend the county deal with this issue?

Well, with the past employers I have worked for, the employees have always paid a portion of their insurance and the employer paid their portion and it has always been with a large company where you have the most benefits possible at a reasonable price. I would suggest thoroughly investigating insurance companies and not taking the first one that comes along.

A Candidate Forum will be held on July 31 in the Theater of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.  Forum begins at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30.  The Public is encouraged to attend.  This event is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Be sure to vote on August 7!

Rhonda Dunn is a Republican running for Bourbon County Treasurer in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with her answers.

1. Please tell readers a little bit about yourself and your background.

I am a fourth generation resident of Bourbon County and was born and raised in Fort Scott.  My brothers and I grew up in the Saturday night auction that our Dad, Bill Dunn, had each week.  I attended Fort Scott High School and received my bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pittsburg State.  I completed my master’s degree in business from the University of Tulsa.  I have 17 years experience working for large oil companies in variety of positions.  I lived away from this area for many years and chose to return to my hometown in 2006 to be closer to my family.   For the last 6 years I have worked in my family moving business here in southeast Kansas.

 2. Why are you running for office?

I’ve always had an interest in politics and have been encouraged several times to run for office.  It’s clear the people of Bourbon County are ready for a new Treasurer and that position is an opportunity for me to put my education and experience to work for our area.

3. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing the county?

As a citizen, I think the most important issue is jobs and sustainable businesses that can provide those jobs.  As County Treasurer, the most important issue is collecting as much of the taxes owed to the county as we can.  In the audit done last year, more than $875,000 in property taxes were still outstanding for the 2010 tax year.  I believe we can avoid increases in taxes if we collect the taxes due each year.  In this economy, collection will get even more difficult and we need creative ideas and diligent people to get it done.

 4. Why do you think you are a better choice for voters than the incumbent?

If elected, I will be the honest Treasurer who will run the competent and fair treasurer’s office the residents of Bourbon County expect.  I am the best choice because I will bring a fresh perspective and work very hard to solve the problems that currently plague the Treasurer’s office.

 5. What is the single most important skill you would bring to the office?

My most important skill is my work ethic.  Education and experience only get you so far in any job.  I am a person who works hard and learns fast.  If I don’t know the answer, I figure it out.  I can create a positive work environment so that employees are motivated to do a good job.  I have the integrity to admit mistakes and learn from them.

 6. If elected, what would your top priority be during your first 90 days?

Voters should know that unlike the other offices which transition to the newly elected people in January 2013, the Treasurer does not take over until the 2^nd Tuesday in October after the election.  I will have lots of time to plan my first 90 days!  However, the top priority starting my term would be to get the new tax year started and get up to speed as quickly as possible.  I would also focus right away on collecting back taxes in the best way possible.

 7. Health insurance is one of the fastest growing expenses the county is facing. What are some ways you’d recommend the county deal with this issue?

I would create a team to research a benefit package with a goal of reducing the overall cost to the county.   The team should include workers from different county functions so that all groups are involved in the process, creative ideas are generated, and different viewpoints are heard.  A variety of vendors should bid on the business to drive cost down.  I have some experience working with insurance vendors and putting our business insurance out to bid resulted in a 40% reduction in premiums for our small business.  I would enjoy a project like this and would work hard to save the county money on their insurance.

A Candidate Forum will be held on July 31 in the Theater of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.  Forum begins at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30.  The Public is encouraged to attend.  This event is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Be sure to vote on August 7!

Susan Quick is a Democrat running for Bourbon County Treasurer in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with her answers.

1. Please tell readers a little bit about yourself and your background.

I have lived in Bourbon Co most of my life and graduated from Uniontown High School. I am married for 44 yrs and we have 2 daughters and two great grandsons. I am a member of the Bethel Community Church.

2. Why are you running for office?

I want to continue working for Bourbon County.

3. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing the county?

Bourbon County needs new businesses & jobs, this would help ease the tax burden on the property owners. Single family property owners cannot solely bear the weight of the increasing taxes.

4. Why do you think you are a better choice for voters than the incumbent? (If you are the incumbent, why do you think you are a better choice than others who are running?)

I have experience of 21 years in this office. I have performed every duty in the Treasurer’s Office.

5. What is the single most important skill you would bring to the office?

Efficiency & constantly work to operate the office within the budget.

6. If elected, what would your top priority be during your first 90 days?

To collect the first half of the 2012 property taxes and work on the January, 2013 distribution, which usually totals more than a million dollars.

7. Health insurance is one of the fastest growing expenses the county is facing. What are some ways you’d recommend the county deal with this issue?

Bourbon County currently has a good health insurance to offer it’s employees. I feel this is a good incentive to keep our good employees.

A Candidate Forum will be held on July 31 in the Theater of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.  Forum begins at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30.  The Public is encouraged to attend.  This event is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Be sure to vote on August 7!

Lora Holdridge is a Republican running for Bourbon County Register of Deeds in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with her answers.

 1. Please tell readers a little bit about yourself and your background.

I was born here and I graduated high school here. My dad’s job moved us around a lot but I settled back here when I was nine. I then followed my husband to South Carolina for about 10 years, but you always come home.

I am married and have one son that is currently finishing up his tour in the Navy, and a beautiful daughter in law.

I am a K-State Certified Register of Deeds.

 2. Why are you running for office?

I started in this office 8 years ago, when I was appointed in April of 2011 I knew that I would run for election. I love what I do!

 3. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing the county?

 Only one! Cost of living!

 4. Why do you think you are a better choice for voters than the incumbent? (If you are the incumbent, why do you think you are a better choice than others who are running?)

I have been here for 8 years, I have done everything in this office. I started at the bottom and worked my way up. You need to have land related training to be the Register.

 5. What is the single most important skill you would bring to the office?

 Experience!

 6. If elected, what would your top priority be during your first 90 days?

Continue with the money saving jobs we have already implemented to digitize our most valued land record books.

 7. Health insurance is one of the fastest growing expenses the county is facing. What are some ways you’d recommend the county deal with this issue?

Not sure this is even available here in Kansas, but in South Carolina everyone(state, federal, city, county, schools) all belonged to Blue Cross Blue Shield State. If we teamed up with the large companies we might be able to get a better rate. Health fairs. The county employees don’t always get any cost of living raises and it helps to know that we have good insurance.

A Candidate Forum will be held on July 31 in the Theater of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.  Forum begins at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30.  The Public is encouraged to attend.  This event is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Be sure to vote on August 7!

Kendell Dawn Mason is a Republican running for Bourbon County Clerk in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with her answers.

1. Please tell readers a little bit about yourself and your background.

I am Kendell Dawn Mason and I have lived in Bourbon County most of my life. I live with my husband Steve and our daughter Ashton. Our son, Alex just completed his active duty enlistment with the United States Marine Corps. He lives in Bourbon County with his wife Holli. I graduated from Fort Scott High School and graduated from Fort Scott Community College with an Associate of Science Degree. I am a Kansas State licensed Emergency Substitute Teacher, Kansas State licensed Cosmetologist, and a Kansas State licensed C.N.A. I worked at Great West Insurance Company for 8 years and worked at Bourbon County Courthouse in the Clerk’s office for 7 1/2 years. While there I was the Personnel Director. My job duties were…accounts payable, payroll, all employee benefits including Kpers, insurance, sick and vacation benefits, W2’s, 1099’s, State and Federal taxes and reports. I assisted with Homestead and Food Sales tax preparations, assisted with elections, sold Kansas wildlife and parks licenses, I was a notary for the State of Kansas, as well as various other duties as assigned.

2. Why are you running for office?

I know that if elected I can do the job professionally and accurately. And I think it is time we see some positive changes in the Clerk’s office.

3. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing the county?

I think the most important issue facing the county is the same issue that we all face and that is financial burdens.

4. Why do you think you are a better choice for voters than the incumbent?

I am a very conservative spender. I believe that when it comes to the taxpayers money, every measure should be taken to eliminate excess spending which will help prevent escalating taxes in our county. I realize that the taxpayers pay county employees wages and that as a county employee you work for the taxpayers of this county.

5. What is the single most important skill you would bring to the office?

Professionalism

6. If elected, what would your top priority be during your first 90 days?

My top priority in the first 90 days would be to organize the records kept in the county clerk’s office and to learn any of the job duties that I am not already familiar with.

7. Health insurance is one of the fastest growing expenses the county is facing. What are some ways you’d recommend the county deal with this issue?

Most county employees do not have a large salary, but there are excellent benefits including leave time and insurance benefits – I think the benefits help make up for what’s lacking in their salary. I know first hand how important it is to have excellent insurance benefits and I would not want to take that benefit away from the employees.

A Candidate Forum will be held on July 31 in the Theater of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.  Forum begins at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30.  The Public is encouraged to attend.  This event is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Be sure to vote on August 7!

Joanne Long is a Republican running for Bourbon County Clerk in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with her answers.

1. Please tell readers a little bit about yourself and your background.

I’m the youngest of five children of a career Navy Master Chief.  I grew up in New Orleans, but I’ve lived in Bourbon County for over half my life.  Bob and Ruth Chambers, of Hiattville, were my grandparents, and Joe and Virginia Chambers are my uncle and aunt.  My mother is retired and lives in Linn County with the rest of the Chambers clan.  My father passed away in 1985.   Other family in the state includes my sister, a niece and nephew, Piotrowski cousins in Bourbon County, Chambers cousins in Linn and Johnson Counties and Long cousins in northern and northwest Kansas.  I was hired by Barbara Wood at the age of 20 and was trained to do every job and have held every position in the Clerk’s Office, voraciously learning everything that was ever offered to me, and when Barbara decided to retire in 2000, I ran for the office and have held it ever since.   I love the many aspects of the job and that it’s not the same thing day in and day out.  It keeps me learning with all the new laws and procedures that come from Washington, DC, and Topeka.  It’s a challenge to keep up with the changes in law and the mandates from the Federal and State governments, but I welcome it.

2. Why are you running for office?

I love what I do.  I feel that my 20 years with the office and my knowledge and experience in all aspects of the office make me the ideal County Clerk.  The clerk’s office is an integral part of the County, as most of the business that happens at the courthouse comes through the office in one way or another.  I feel my knowledge, experience, tenacity, willingness to learn and my capacity to adapt to change make me the best candidate for the job.  I have seen many changes in my two decades in the clerk’s office and anticipate many more to come.  Bourbon County deserves a clerk that can handle those challenges and will meet them head-on.

3. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing the county?

It’s kind of a simplistic answer to a complicated problem, but: the economy.  If we had more businesses in the County, that would mean an increased workforce with the additional employees and possibly more population.  Houses that are for sale would be sold and taken by these new families and they would increase the tax base and lower the tax burden on all the taxpayers in the County.  That would allow the same, or more, to be done with less from each person and would help the community to prosper, while possibly lowering the mill levy.

4. Why do you think you are a better choice for voters than the incumbent? (If you are the incumbent, why do you think you are a better choice than others who are running?)

I have performed every job in the office; I am a Certified and Master County Clerk; I am a leader among clerks, as I am the current Vice-President and President-elect of the Kansas County Clerks’ and Election Officials’ Association, having been unanimously elected to both positions.  I am technologically savvy; I am excellent with numbers; I have cut the office budget by 14.5%; stream-lined duties and eliminated waste.  I have had a balanced budget every year of my tenure; I have saved the taxpayers over $35,000, since 2008, by programming the ballots myself.

My opponent’s experience in the clerk’s office was limited to accounts payable and payroll, as well as Homestead assistance and limited Fish and Game and Elections experience.  However, she was unable to successfully complete payroll and accounts payable year-end without assistance from the programmers, at a cost of over $1,000 each year (Bourbon County has not required, nor paid for, programmer’s assistance for payroll or accounts payable, since her departure.  In fact, we received a refund, in the amount of $1,198, for eliminating the maintenance on legacy software preferred by my opponent).

In addition, my opponent has never:

1. Worked a Presidential Election
2. Set a budget
3. Calculated a mill levy
4. Maintained the tax roll, including name/address changes, adds/abates/escapes and special assessments
5. Taken Commission minutes or written a resolution
6. Reconciled Motor Vehicle and the General Ledger
7. Completed a tax abstract for real property or motor vehicle
8. Maintained the County’s Inventory
9. Reported bonded indebtedness to the State for all entities in the County
10. Maintained Voter Registration or organized and directed poll workers for an election
11. Designed/programmed or handled rotation of ballots
12. Testified before the House and Senate to pass legislation
13. Been appointed by the Secretary of State’s Office to lead a panel of Kansas County Clerks
14. Verified a petition
15. Reconciled checks

My opponent struggled with change and technology and lacked confidence in her work.  A vote for Joanne Long ensures a balanced, lower budget, better service and more available information for and service to the taxpayers of Bourbon County.

5. What is the single most important skill you would bring to the office?

 Twenty years of knowledge and experience.

  6. If elected, what would your top priority be during your first 90 days?

The same as it is every year:  I and my staff will continue to make sure all quarterly and annual reports are completed for the office; calculate, print, and file W2s and 1099s with the appropriate agencies; update tax tables for employee files, as needed; submit the tax unit boundary certification to the State, County Appraiser and every Utility in the County; compile and submit the annual Motor Vehicle Abstract to the State; ask departments to submit their inventory for the year; send reminders to Cereal Malt Beverage license holders for renewal and rental of duck blinds at Elm Creek Lake; publish the offices up for election in April 2013; handle the filings for those offices; compile the data for federal service ballots to be sent 45 days prior to the election; determine if a Primary is required and bill the appropriate entity; register voters; confirm election workers; create the ballots for each of the city and school districts; assist low income and elderly citizens with their Homestead/Food Sales Tax returns; offer Advance Voting for the Spring Election(s); file official signatures of all County Officials for the insurance company; as well as selling game licenses and taking minutes and anything else that comes up.

7. Health insurance is one of the fastest growing expenses the county is facing. What are some ways you’d recommend the county deal with this issue?

Currently we are in year one of a three-year contract with the State, so nothing can be done immediately.  However, a wellness program, with incentives, could create a healthier workforce, which in turn, will offer a more appealing group for possible insurance carriers.   Healthier employees translates to fewer claims, which could drive rates lower.  Other possibilities include plans with a higher deductible for a lower premium or offering a Health Savings Account.

I thank you for this opportunity to share information with the voters of Bourbon County.  I have been honored to serve the citizens of Bourbon County for over two decades, and I ask for your support and vote on August 7th.

Thank you again.

Joanne Long

A Candidate Forum will be held on July 31 in the Theater of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.  Forum begins at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30.  The Public is encouraged to attend.  This event is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Be sure to vote on August 7!

 

 

Barbara Albright is a Republican running for Bourbon County Commissioner (2nd district)  in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with her answers.

1. Please tell readers a little bit about yourself and your background.

I am Barbara Albright, a life-long resident of Bourbon County. My educational preparation includes Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott Community College, and my focus in teaching & learning/administration was from Pittsburg State University. My 35-year career in public education included numerous positions: school secretary, first grade teacher, middle school teacher, middle school assistant principal, and middle school principal. My husband Ron Albright and I are parents to three adult children and six grandchildren. I am a salesperson in the family real estate agency, belong to several local civic and community organizations, and attend Diamond Community Church.

 2. Why are you running for office?

 In addition to fulfilling my desire to serve the public, as Bourbon County Commissioner of District 2, I will bring the right mix of energy, ideas and understanding to an important position that can greatly benefit us all.

 3. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing the county?

To provide services for the people of Bourbon County, it is important to be aware of property taxes, our primary source of revenue. Increasing our county’s tax-base becomes the issue at hand. Economic development and growth within our county/city would bring additional employment opportunities, increased population, and more homeowners – all factors in the collection of additional property taxes.

 4. Why do you think you are a better choice for voters than the incumbent? (If you are the incumbent, why do you think you are a better choice than others who are running?)

As a commissioner I will strive for transparency in local government, improved city-county relationship, economic development opportunities, and the more efficient use of our taxpayer dollars. You can count on my energy to find creative solutions to complicated issues. This is a role I will take on with the necessary vigor and commitment to make a positive difference.

 5. What is the single most important skill you would bring to the office?

My twenty-one years of administrative experience, coupled with my positive approach in working with people, will be demonstrated in my collaborative leadership style when facing the needs and future of Bourbon County.

  6. If elected, what would your top priority be during your first 90 days?

My commissioner preparation and commitment actually began the day I filed to have my name placed on the primary ballot. Next, I began reading, asking questions, and attending commission meetings. As for the first 90 days, I would definitely welcome additional training to better serve my district and county, i.e. Kansas Association of Counties provides learning opportunities for county leaders. Additional preparation would include bringing a clear and concise understanding of the 2013 budget, thus ensuring more efficient use of taxpayer dollars as financial decisions are considered.

 7. Health insurance is one of the fastest growing expenses the county is facing. What are some ways you’d recommend the county deal with this issue?

Currently the county employees have health insurance benefits through the state plan; the large pool of participants makes the state plan desirable by offering three different companies and numerous plans meeting the needs of the employee/employee’s family. When analyzing salaries of county workers, it is apparent the health benefit is a factor in hiring and maintaining effective, dedicated county employees. Please note, health insurance benefits are an expenditure that must be looked at closely each year as circumstances change. In 2014, we could see major changes with health insurance requiring further analysis and consideration. Promoting opportunities for each county employee to receive a thorough informative explanation on the different health insurance options/plans, i.e. HSA (Health Savings Account), prior to plan selection at enrollment, could result in a cost savings to both the employee and the county.

A Candidate Forum will be held on July 31 in the Theater of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the Campus of Fort Scott Community College.  Forum begins at 6 pm. Doors open at 5:30.  The Public is encouraged to attend.  This event is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Be sure to vote on August 7!