3rd District Lyon County commission candidate Rollie Martin
October 28, 2008
Rollie Martin is the Republican candidate for the 3rd District Lyon County commission seat.
Moderator: Rollie Martin is the Republican candidate for the 3rd District Lyon County commission seat. Rollie lives in rural Hartford. He is a former math teacher and now farm in southeast Lyon County. He’s no stranger to politics — he’s serving his fourth term as a member of the Souther Lyon County school board. He and his wife, Rosemary, have four children and eight grandchildren.
moderator: Why do you feel that you are qualified to be a Lyon County commissioner?
Rollie Martin: I feel that I am qualified to be a Lyon County Commissioner. First of all, I am a lifetime resident in the area that I grew up in, which is District 3. Currently, I operate a family farm, which includes farming, and I custom-raise dairy heifers. Some of the other qualities that I will bring to the commission are my leadership experience, first of all, through the Southern Lyon County school board, which I am currently serving my fourth term. Also, I've been a leader in the local Kansas Livestock Association and I've done various things through my church. Lastly, I believe my education lends to me some talent to the managing of the business of Lyon County because I'm a major in mathematics from Kansas Newman University in Wichita, Kansas. I also have a secondary education degree, which includes two years of teaching junior high math and science. Some of the qualities I'd bring to the commission are a positive attitude and outlook, a desire to listen to all area residents and people of Lyon County, a commitment to serve. I like to be part of a team and I also like being a team leader. I have a lot of expectations of myself and a lot of respect for people.
moderator: What research have you done to prepare you for this job?
Rollie Martin: In preparation for this job of county commissioner, first of all I attended a county commission work session, and while there was given a tour by one of the commissioners of the operations within the courthouse. At that time, I picked up a budget from Dan Slater just to get a general feeling of what kind of operations were being conducted by the county. Later on, I spent a day touring some operations in the county that I was not familiar with, which included a tour of the sheriff's department and jail by Sheriff Gary Eichorn. Also in this, the tour enlightened me on how much emergency disaster preparedness was being done within the county, the equipment that is needed to be prepared for a disaster if it should occur. Also, I listened to the concerns of the sheriff and about the jail, which is now 15 years old, and there is going to need to be some repair of equipment and maintenance within the building. I never thought of it, but the sheriff's department runs a 24/7 operation, which means a lot of shifts and a lot of days off and a lot of employees to make the department work. Next I toured the Lyon County Health Department with Lougene Marsh. She was very helpful in showing me the Lyon County Health Department. She also explained to me the contractual agreements for budgetary purposes that the Lyon County Health Department holds with the county. Also, I was impressed with the dentistry operation which was privately funded by the Jones Trust. Next, I toured the Road and Bridge Department on South Prairie. Even though I drive by there quite often, it was a learning experience for me to go inside and see how the equipment was maintained, meet some of the people that I pass on the roads within my work, and just to see how much equipment it takes to maintain a lot of miles of gravel road and paved road in the county. There are other areas in the county that I am familiar with, mainly the Extension through my 4-H connections, and my agriculture business, and then I'm also familiar with the Noxious Weed Department through the purchase of herbicides and taking items to the recycling area. I am a lifelong proponent of educating oneself. I realize that I will be a rookie commissioner and will have to get a lot of on-the-job experience. Doing these type of things has always been a source of learning and a challenge for myself and I will take the challenge.
Moderator: During your campaign, you've talked about finding efficiency in government. What are some of your ideas for changes that you believe will save money and make government run more smoothly?
Rollie Martin: Because of the nature of the economy now, and any time, we need to look at different ways in gaining efficiencies. Some of this will be gained through the use of new technology within Lyon County and its different operations. One idea that I am promoting is the possibility of contracting with private business certain areas that the county performs with the idea that maybe the county does not need to do everything. A big hot item that I guess is being talked about right now is can we gain efficiencies by combining with the City of Emporia on their law enforcement. A study is currently being made and I am of the opinion that a lot more study needs to be done to see if we really can gain efficiencies. This is one item, through my discussions with residents of District 3, that there are many diverse opinions. It would seem on the surface that it would be easy to combine them and gain efficiencies. One idea that's brought forth to me is that there's a different culture of law enforcement within the city than within rural areas, and sometimes finding personnel that can handle both is a difficulty. One thing that the study does mention is combining the dispatchers, which is a possibility. I think the best possibility may be of gaining efficiency. However, if we have to purchase or build an office center for the sheriff and police departments, I do not know if that will be a realistic possibility. These are only a few areas that I think need to be studied, but I think a general rule is that we need to apply common sense to everything we try to do and see if we can gain efficiencies that way.
moderator: The 3rd District includes part of the city of Emporia and rural Lyon County south of the city. Are there any issues specific to the 3rd District that you believe or voters have told you need to be addressed by the county commission?
Rollie Martin: Roads and bridges are a concern right now. This year we have had above-normal precipitation, probably an all-time high for an annual precipitation, and a lot of maintenance and gravel that has been applied to the roads are no longer there because of the heavy rains. Because we have a limited budget, we cannot apply gravel as much as we want. In visiting with the Road and Bridge Department up through September, they have paid an additional $60,000 in surcharges for fuel for the county and this has limited our ability to obtain and get new gravel on the roads. In my area, it seems like every time we got gravel placed on the bridge areas, a large rain would come and wash it away. For the most part, I think the bridges are in fair shape but after being evaluated, I know there will need to be some replaced. Another issue that not only pertains to District 3, but to all of Lyon County, is making sure that the commissioners use the money gained from the sales tax referendum is used to reduce property taxes. This will be a very important job for the new commission.
moderator: We usually hear about economic development as it affects the city of Emporia. Do you think it's possible to spread economic development projects to rural Lyon County? If so, how would you propose doing that?
Rollie Martin: The answer to the first question is yes. Each project needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. There should be a win-win situation for all parties involved and provide high-quality jobs. The small towns in the county could very well be considered for some of these projects. However, it is my opinion, we cannot give away the farm in economic incentives to attract these businesses. One of my main things for not only the city but for rural areas, is what I call economic re-development of areas and businesses that are left vacant. I think these projects should also be evaluated on an individual basis and hopefully we can bring in some new industry or new business for the area. It is most likely that the rural area of Lyon County could and should attract possibly some agriculture-related, value-added type businesses. It is my opinion that a county commissioner needs to be a salesman for the whole county and its people and that the best salesman has a positive outlook and the ability to work through all situations.
Moderator: A few years ago, there was an effort to increase the county commission from three seats to five. Did you support that proposal? Why or why not?
Rollie Martin: No, I did not. Basically, in my experiences in working with local boards and community projects, when there is more that does not always mean you get more done because there's that many more diverse opinions. I think when the three work as a team and represent all areas of the county, we can be very successful.
Moderator: Do you think that the Lyon County commission should continue to donate money to the 4th of July fireworks display?
Rollie Martin: Yes, I do think that the commission should continue to donate towards the fireworks display on the 4th of July. I supported the county commission when they did this last summer, mainly because I see it as an opportunity to develop a regional happening in the Emporia area. Any time that you can bring people to Emporia or the county, it always is a win-win situation, for the people attending and for the merchants around. Personally, I hope this develops into maybe an all-day celebration of the 4th of July. I am not for sure that it can be maintained as a weekend celebration, and if it is possible, I'd like to see it remain on the fairgrounds. This is a great opportunity for people of the county to get together, because last 4th of July when we did not have a celebration in the city of Emporia. I had two choices in my areas to go to a fireworks display, and that was in Gridley and Lebo, and they are both in Coffey County. I plan on enjoying the 4th of July fireworks next year and for many years to follow.
Moderator: That’s all the time we have for today’s chat. We thank Rollie Martin for answering questions tonight. You can read a full transcript in Wednesday's print edition. Once again, we remind you to exercise your right to vote on Tuesday or even before.