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!

Bob Jackson is a Democrat running for Sheriff in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with his answers.

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

I am a native of Fort Scott and have chosen to live and make my career here. I have four children, three sons, one daughter and one step-son. I have approximately 30 years of law enforcement experience all which I have served here in this community. My career started with the Fort Scott Police Department and after four short months of retiring from the Police Dept, I hired on with the Bourbon County Sheriff Department where I am currently serving as a road Deputy.

2. Why are you running for office?

There are numerous changes the Sheriff Office needs in order to become an effective agency for our community. I understand the changes that need to be made and I am willing to make those changes. I care about our community and my desire is to serve this community to the best of my ability.

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

My personal feeling is that crime is the single most important issue that the county faces. As economic times get harder, the crime rate goes up

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?)

First- Sheriff Gray has failed to act on his first campaign promises and he will continue to do so if re-elected. Second- He lost interest in being the Sheriff and has indicated such by neglecting the Sheriff Department and shows no loyalty to his staff. Thirdly- His lack of commitment to this community has been shown by having no residential ties and has placed himself on the job market and has recently done so prior to this election campaign.

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

My 30 years of law enforcement experience and my heart-desire to serve and give back to this community.

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

Adding more manpower- Currently we do not have the adequate number of road deputies to serve this community effectively. Equipment- our equipment is out dated, of the cheapest grade, and fails to work most of the time. Inadequate equipment jeopardizes the lives of our deputies and the public.

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 agree that health insurance is a growing expense our county is facing. However, my knowledge in this area is limited for a proper recommendation. I realize as Sheriff this is something I will need to be familiar with and gain better understanding.

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!

Kenny Clark is a Republican running for Bourbon County 2nd District Commissioner in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with his answers.

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

My name is Kenny Clark, Jr. I moved to Bourbon County in 1970 from Chanute, Kansas and graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1974.  I worked construction jobs and started working for the Kansas Department of Transportation in 1977.  I married Debbie Dawson in February 1979.  we have 1 son, Kenny Clark, III.  I retired from KDOT in September of 2011.  We have lived on our farm south of Fort Scott for 29 years.

2. Why are you running for office?

I believe my experience with KDOT will help with the issues of our county roads and I have dealt with keeping cost down & within a budget to save our taxpayers money.

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

Keeping within a budget and trying to decide how to distribute the money throughout the county, so that it is beneficial to the taxpayers.

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 believe I am the better canidate as I have experience with road construction and multi-million dollar contracts, as a project manager.  My dutys included keeping the public informed on the progress and to see if they had any issues that needed to be addressed.

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

My 35 year of experience in road construction with K.D.O.T  I started in Oct 1977 in the maintence department, after about a year & half I transfered to the construction side of K.D.O.T.  Early years was to survey, test and inspection.  Later years I was project manager, dealing with contractors, contract dollars and the general public, trying to keep them informed and to deal with any issues they might have.

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

If elected my top priority is to look at the budget and try to help the people of Bourbon County with the concerns of how our tax dollars are being spent.

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?

Health insurance is not only a issue of Bourbon County but an issue of our Country.  We need to look at the plan in effect and see if there is some way to reduce the cost without losing benefit coverage.

With this said I would like to thank those who have read or listened to my opinions & comments.

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!

Clyde Killion is a Democrat running for Bourbon County 2nd District Commissioner in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with his answers.

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

Hello my name is Clyde Killion.  I have been a resident of  Bourbon County all but 4 yrs of my 68 yrs when working elsewhere.  I have worked at many different jobs.  From Bruce Marble and Granite to working on a ranch to coal mining to working for the county from 1991 to 2009.  11 yrs of which was spent as Road Supervisor.

2. Why are you running for office?

I am running for Commissioner because I have the experience to deal with the issues that come up.  And I would like to see the county spend our tight budget more wisely.  For instance why do we take something that was paid for and sell it off and go into debt and have to pay three times what we were paying.

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

We need to work with the City to bring Jobs to Bourbon County so we can keep our young people here to raise their families to help build our tax base.  If we can bring in good jobs people will move here to fill the jobs.  Which would work to lower our 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 worked for Bourbon County for 19 yrs.  I have dealt with many of the problems we all encounter.  I was Road supervisor for 11 of the 19 yrs.  I know Bourbon County.  And have been on all the roads in the county.  As supervisor I worked for the Commissioners and their projects.

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

I would like to look at ways where we can cut wasteful spending.  Also we are paying some employees extra for just doing their jobs.  Also I would like to be able to give the county workers a raise which they haven’t had in five yrs.  If we can spend more than a half million dollars surely we can find a way to give a raise.

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

I know I have the experience to deal with the various situations that come up so 19 yrs experience from mowing to spending 5 yrs on a motor grader to 11 yrs as Road Supervisor.  I feel that I know the county and what works and what doesn’t.

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?

Health Insurance is one of the most expensive big items of the budget and it’s a hard one to deal with.  The county pays for it’s employee and part of the employee’s family plan.  We have some employees whose well being depend on good health Ins.  So we need to keep it as affordable as possible.  But we may have to require the employees to pay a part of their Ins. in the future.  That’s one option but their may be other options that may come up in discustions later.

Thank you for allowing me to view my thoughts and to tell the readers where I stand on some of the questions.  People are free to call me and ask questions.  If they call my home phone please leave message and I will call you back to answer them.

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!

Robert Query is a Republican running for 2nd District Commissioner in the upcoming election. Here are a few interview questions with his answers.

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

Born and raised in Fort Scott. Auto mechanic, road construction and self employed since 1981. Bourbon county commissioner for 8 years, over the asphalt program the last 3 years of my term and also worked on the 400 highway project.

  2. Why are you running for office?

I am running because the last 8 years we have had business men with no road construction knowledge or background making decisions on road projects wasting tax dollars on road work using the wrong rock and oil, costing more than twice as much because the labor and material is wasted doing the job twice instead of once the right way. These mistakes don’t need to be made which would save taxes. Having 8 years of experience as county commissioner means “NO ON THE JOB TRAINING MISTAKES” where someone new would be learning the job!

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

Keeping the tax base affordable so the businesses and home owners can afford to stay in Bourbon county.

  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?)

Already having 8 years experience on county commission gives me the knowledge to not make the mistakes of a new inexperienced candidate, which saves tax dollars from day 1 in office. Also having road construction experience by owning and operating dozers, dump trucks and other heavy equipment for many years lets me know when road work is done right the first time so it doesn’t have to be redone two or three times. That saves tax dollars which saves the tax payers money since almost one third of your taxes are spent on road and bridge projects.

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

Being a business owner I have had to make decisions based on the income and net profit, and not getting a paycheck handed to me on payday whether there is a profit or not. I have been successful in doing that since 1981.

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

 I would address the concerns of the citizens on issues brought to my attention starting with the road problems and the high taxes.

 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?

One would be to do away with the health insurance for the county commissioners because their job is part time and no other part time jobs get health insurance. That alone would save over 16,000 per year base at 450 per month x 3 commissioners. The other would be to look at what the county could afford even if it meant having the employees pay a percentage of their health insurance to maintain the coverage they have and not reduce it to make it affordable for the county as well as the tax payers.

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!