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Meet
the candidates: Osage County races
Candidates were asked to submit answers to a candidate
questionnaire. Only candidates with in contested races were asked
to participate.
Each candidate was asked to respond to the following:
Q1. Why are you running for office?
Q2. If elected, are there specific issues you wish to address, or
goals you wish to accomplish?
Q3. List your past accomplishments that have benefited the public,
if any, such as serving in an elected office or community involvement.
Q4. Please list any personal information you wish to share with
voters, for example family members, hometown, employment, hobbies
or interests, and special training or education.
County Commission - District 2
James Foster, Carbondale
Q1 – After much thought about the issues and needs of the
county and knowing the demands of being a public servant, my experience
will best serve to address future challenges of the county.
Q2 – Everyone in Osage County has his or her own set of concerns
when it comes to the operation of the county government. One subject
that continues to be brought up in my conversations with taxpayers
is that they would like to see the county officials make timely,
effective, efficient and responsive decisions when an issue is brought
before them. I intend to help improve that decision-making process
if elected. A major concern of mine is for economic development
in the county and to see that it is used to the fullest and greatest
advantage for the citizens.
Q3 – Past volunteer with the Shawnee County Mounted Sheriff's
Posse Search and Rescue, volunteer with the Overbrook Fire Department,
and provide assistance to the Overbrook Fair. As road foreman for
Elk Township for over 10 years, I have served the community to see
that the roads were safe to travel. During this time I have continued
to improve the quality of the road system. The efficient use of
time and materials has allowed for the upgrading of equipment while
staying within budget limits.
Q4 – My hometown is Overbrook. The family farm goes back five
generations. My past employment in construction caused me to travel
to many states as well as other countries; but my family, farm and
home brought me back. My daughters attended USD 434 schools and
shared in the farm experience. My wife and I enjoy our horses and
mules. Contrary to popular belief, instead of talking, I’d
rather listen.
Michael Pruitt, Quenemo
Q1 – I agreed to enter this race because of several things,
the first of which is community service, and being able to possibly
help make life better for the citizens of Osage County.
Q2 – I personally see some needs that need to be addressed
within the county government and which need more attention. Overseeing
the budget, presenting a more realistic budget. The offices or participants
within the budget need to be more accountable for spending and to
attempt to cut any surplus out of the budget where possible. Help
lead the movement to county road units to minimize equipment, maximize
employee’s time, and eventually save the county dollars. Reach
out to people and companies to promote growth within the county,
growth that will complement the vast farming community, keep as
many of our residents as possible working within the county, and
attract new, good citizens for the county. Improve signage for the
road addressing system within the county on a residence-by-residence
basis to make it easier for emergency personnel to find homes.
Q3 – My past accomplishments that have benefited the public
include being on the water board for Water District No. 2. My main
reason for seeking appointment to the board was to get the district
opened for new customers, and to make Sail-A-Way Cove on Pomona
Lake a permanent part of the district for payments and maintenance.
Both of these were accomplished within approximately a year and
a half in addition to hiring a new maintenance man and upgrading
the existing pumps. I am the fire chief and both my wife and I are
first responders for Osage County District No. 4. We have been on
the fire department since October 2003. This is a very rewarding
position, but at times really saddening. It is a blessing to be
able to put out fires, no matter what kind, help people medically,
support them emotionally, but can be something that tears at your
heart when unpreventable tragedy strikes. During my service on the
fire department staff, we have upgraded most of our equipment and
recruited quite a few new younger members. They will be the future
of Fire District No. 4, and will provide protection for years to
come.
Q4 – My wife Mary and I have lived in Osage County since July
of 2003. Two of our children, and six grandchildren also live in
Osage County. Mary hails from Greeley, while I am from Kansas City.
We were both employed in the communications industry. Most of my
service time was with Southwestern Bell, 30 years. Other companies
include Illuminet, Sprint PCS, Hewlett Packard and finally Agilent
Technologies. I retired permanently from the communications sector
in 2002. Most of my career was in management where I was in charge
of large projects and budgets—successfully completing jobs,
and keeping budgets intact. I am an avid shooter, love to hunt,
fish (not nearly as much as my wife would like) and have a small
farm raising beef, pork, chickens and eggs, and a lot of vegetables.
My wife and I are dedicated to Christianity, and are members at
St. Francis Catholic Church of Lapeer.
County Commission - District 3
Terri Dobbs, Lyndon
Q1 – Someone mentioned that I should run along time ago, so
after thinking about a lot of things I decided it would be a good
idea. I would like to be part of the process of listening
to the people and help make, hopefully, the right decision that
would be good for all. I know that you can’t please everyone,
and shouldn’t try, but to listen with an open mind and see
things from all sides and outside the box.
Q2 – Osage County has so much to offer, and I feel we should
be looking at a way we can be self-supportive. I am very interested
in wind energy. It is something we can do here and make money and
lower taxes. I know we are a bedroom community, but why can’t
we look at what it would take to get a small manufacturer to relocate
here. We have an economic development department, lets use it to
its fullest.
Q3 – I've been in different groups and organizations throughout
my life, mostly to do with children or where I was working. Some
have included scouts, PTO, school volunteer, concession stands,
Christmas drives, and United Way. Last year I was president of the
Lyndon Chamber of Commerce and that was exciting and informative.
I learned a lot and met a lot of wonderful people. I also ran a
breakfast diner with my daughter in Lyndon. We had so much fun and
we both really miss everyone. I also worked for years
in the financial field, banking and mortgage loans and am a trained
medical assistant.
Q4 – I was born and raised in Overland Park, and have lived
in many small communities throughout southeast Kansas. I have
lived in Osage County for over 10 years, and consider it home. So
much so that two years ago my whole family relocated here. That
was a busy summer. Ron and I have raised our children and are proud
of each and every one of them, and now we are enjoying our grandchildren. Ron
and I belong to the Jayhawk Beagle Club, and like to run the
field trials. We use to go all over the United States, but with
gas prices and grandchildren we have stopped. Now the grandkids
are learning how the beagles work. I love doing so many different
things, garage sales, fishing, camping, mowing, and auctions and
recently have gotten horses, so learning how to ride is next. I
really want Ron and I to go on the trail rides I hear about. I hope
this gives you a little insight into who I am. I thank each and
every one who has the faith in me to vote for me. I will do my very
best to see everything from all sides and to be fair and honest.
Kenneth Kuykendall, Osage City
Q1 – As a lifelong Osage County resident, I desire to see
the county progress in a fiscally responsible manner.
Q2 – I would like to explore and possibly move toward a county
maintenance of township roads.
Q3 – I have served on the following boards: eight years for
Rural Water District No. 7 as treasurer, secretary, vice president
and president; 13 years on the Osage County fair board, currently
livestock sale chairman; Osage County Farm Bureau; Osage County
Extension Board; and Pauline Farmers Coop.
Q4 – I am a lifelong rural Osage County resident. I am a self-employed
farmer and have been for over 30 years. My family has lived and
farmed in the county for over 110 years. I am married to Lori and
we have four children, Thelston, Matti, Bailey and Calley.
Kansas State
Representative - 59th District
William Prescott, Osage City
Q1 – The need for effective, efficient government has never
been greater and it is time for common-sense leadership. I have
the energy and enthusiasm along with the knowledge, experience and
courage to represent the people of the 59th district.
Q2 – I will work to develop a progressive state energy policy
and to see that our schools are adequately funded. I will keep taxes
low by cutting expenditures and expanding the tax base with rural
economic development. Investing in our children’s education
now, will insure their success in the future. In the last two years
our legislature has allocated an increase of over a billion dollars
to Kansas schools, boosting our annual funding to just over $6 billion.
To protect this critical investment in our state’s future
we must permit our local school boards to allocate these funds as
they see fit. State bureaucrats need to get out of the way and let
them make the best use of this generous commitment that taxpayers
have made to our children. One of the most important challenges
we now face is attracting the most talented teachers, we can do
this by creating the infrastructure and environment to attract and
train highly qualified and motivated educators.
Q3 – I was employed by the Burlingame Cooperative Elevator
in the crop production department from 1972-1983, when I decided
to start my own custom spraying business which I operated from 1983-1995.
Always farming some during this time, I decided to give up the spray
business and go full time as farmer/rancher on the century old farmstead.
My family and I are currently operating the farm today. I have been
serving the past three years as the District No. 3 County Commissioner
of Osage County. My term will expire this election year. I also
serve as Osage County Farm Bureau president, ECKAN board vice-president
of Ottawa, board member of the Area Agency on Aging, assistant scoutmaster
of Boy Scout Troop No. 106, usher and committee member of the First
United Methodist Church in Osage City, and a member of the Ottawa
Cooperative. Accomplishments that I am very proud of are 2004 Farm
Bureau Century Farm Award, 2004 Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year,
2005 Farm Bureau Natural Resources Award, 2005 Osage County Leadership
Graduate, and the 2006 United Methodist Church Flame and Cross Award.
Q4 – I was born Oct. 24, 1954, in a farmhouse located in Wabaunsee
County to Donald Dean and Opal Jean Prescott. I was a middle child,
with one sister and four brothers. Soon after my birth, my family
moved to Burlingame, where I grew up. I graduated from Burlingame
High School in 1972. I participated in football, basketball, track,
Student Council, FFA, KAYs, Burlingame B-Club, and junior and senior
plays. In 1976, I married Miss Osage City, Daresa Rosetta. Daresa
has been employed by USD No. 420 as high school secretary for 14
years. Our daughter, Seanta Marie, age 16, and our son Alfonzo Mark,
age 15, attend Osage City High School and entered this fall as a
senior and junior. I like to live by the saying, “Resist passive
behavior, accept responsibility, lead courageously, and you can
expect God’s greater reward.”
Jim Irey, Melvern
Q1 – Last year, the legislative session was not too productive.
Many important issues were pushed off to the side because of a lack
of working together. Many jobs were lost due to a lack of compromise,
leadership and communication. I am running for state representative
to seek legislation for Kansans to receive accessible and affordable
health care and to seek adequate school funding. I am also interested
in developing a long-term comprehensive energy plan for Kansas.
I am running for office because I want to use my leadership skills
and the years of experience in working with people to produce results
that would benefit the people in District 59.
Q2 – The issues that I think are important are: Adequate school
funding. I want to see that our schools receive adequate funding
so that our children can have the best teachers and resources available
to them to be successful. We need to seek affordable health care
for Kansans. There are about 300,000 Kansans that are uninsured.
I would like to see that we develop a long-term comprehensive energy
plan for the state of Kansas. We need to develop a plan that would
use wind, solar, coal, gas and nuclear energy as alternate ways
of providing energy. These projects would all provide more jobs
for Kansans.
Q3 – Much of my leadership experience comes from serving in
education for 37 years. I was a teacher, coach, building principal
and a school superintendent. In January of 2008, I was elected to
serve on the board of directors of Kansas Pride, Inc. This is a
volunteer position where we meet at different places across the
state to encourage and reward communities in making improvements
in their communities. Other elected or community service experience:
Served as chairperson for the Melvern Pride program for two years
and I am still very active in that program; current president of
Melvern Alumni Association; elected to Osage County Extension Council;
church treasurer of the Melvern United Methodist Church, and serves
on the Melvern Sunflower Association which promotes, supports and
organizes activities for the Melvern 4-H Sunflower Fair.
Q4 – I am a retired school administrator. I received my bachelor's
and master’s degree from Emporia State University. I retired
in 2004. My wife, Linda, and I live on a small farm south of Melvern.
We have been married 40 years. We have three grown children and
three grandchildren. I enjoy hunting, golfing, fishing and outdoor
photography during my spare time. |
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