Q Why did you decide to run for city commission?
A I decided to run because I believe Emporia should be well represented. I am the most diverse candidate and best reflect what the people are looking for in a community leader.
Q What do you think are the three biggest issues facing Emporia and how would you address them?
A Personnel, infrastructure and industrial development. I believe the city employees, especially the police and fire department including the paramedics should have the finest training and support and equipment possible. Infrastructure. With any infrastructure we must ensure that the people of Emporia have what they need that the city has to maintain the streets, manage the water and the waste systems and to attract new business by doing this. Industrial development. Emporia is a clean, safe, attractive place to live. Our city commission must continue to include and work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Development Association and continue to bring good clean quality and high paying jobs to town.
Q What qualities do you think a city commissioner should have?
A Business knowledge, volunteer spirit and understanding. We own and operate two businesses in Emporia and I understand budgets more importantly staying within and balancing the budgets and I will bring business knowledge to the city commission. Commissioners have to understand volunteerism.
I am a serious volunteer. For example, my services as a member of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Lyon County Veterans, ECHO Board; the Emporia Public Library Board; Rebuilding Together board; Eastside Community Group; symphony in the Flint Hills, League of Women Voters; a delegate for the 2004 presidential Convention; and I also am a 2006 graduate of leadership Emporia.
Q What thoughts, if any, do you have about the city’s current process of hiring a city manager?
A I think the city manager is a personnel matter and I understand that the people want to know who is being considered. But we have to respect the applicants’ privacy. People should be able to trust the commissioners to hire the best candidate. Now as apparently this worked out and everyone agreed to make the names public, I believe that’s terrific.
Q Why should we vote for you?
A I believe you should vote for me because you can trust me to be a representative for all of the people. I have and desire to see a strong Emporia. I respect the people of Emporia. I am in touch with the working people and want to represent all of the people who use the services of our community. I am qualified to deliver. Used to putting in long hours, multi-tasking, problem solving, keeping the peace and most of all getting things done.
Q Is there anything you wanted to say that I haven’t asked?
A I was born and raised in Emporia. I went to Emporia High School where I was taught by numerous teachers that were as good as any teachers anywhere including Dr. John R. Webb, a long-life friend of mind, I had kept in touch with. He was my mentor and Dr. Webb is a model for what makes an ideal city commissioner and I believe he is still in my balcony.
I believe the city, our city, needs to ensure that amenities for senior citizens are available and that support is available for them.
I need to mention that our veterans, all our veterans gave, suffered, endured, lost their lives, not all of them, but a majority lost their lives for us to be able to vote. I’m asking fellow Emporians regardless of who they vote for, please, please, vote.