Q Why are you running for the city commission?
A “(As) an Emporia resident for seven years, I just came to a place where I saw the city needed some energy, they needed some refocus. There were some issues that really prompted me — the major one was when the city floated a trial balloon about eliminating the taxi subsidy for the people who were handicapped and elderly, people of limited means. I felt that that was shortsighted and that it needed attention ... I just don’t believe it should ever have come to that. ...
Q What do you see as the three biggest issues facing Emporia and how would you address them?
A “One is the real gap in incomes that we have. The median household income in Kansas is about $41,000. The median household income in Emporia is $30,000. ... Out of 106 counties, we rank in the upper 90s. That’s not good. The unfortunate thing about that is we’ve focused on manufacturing.
“Another big issue, I think, is downtown revitalization. There’s a lot of emphasis placed on big-box development and retail out west. We’re at a place where population growth in Emporia is stagnant. ... What we’re doing by inviting more, particularly big box retail in, is that we’ve got a situation where Emporia is competing with Emporia.
“The other is we’ve got some things converging that aren’t healthy. ... Home ownership in Emporia is 53 percent with about a 47 percent rental rate. ... In that, there are a lot of rentals that are in singularly bad shape. Any reasonable person can look at these things and realize they’re violating city codes. The unfortunate thing about that is the city codes aren’t being actively enforced. ... There are ways that can be fixed.
Q What qualities do you consider to be most important in a city commissioner?
A “Well, I think beyond the technical expertise, it’s leadership. In a position like a city commissioner, it’s as much as anything a bully pulpit, a place where someone can be visible to the community. ... I intend to do that. ...The other is that it needs to be decisive. I think a commissioner needs to be a person who’s got hope. ... I believe there’s a better future in store for Emporia if we embrace it.”
Q One of the most important issues facing the city has been the hiring of a city manager. What do you think of the process?
A “I don’t think the commission has handled it well, recently. I think particularly when the people of the city said they wanted an open process ... then it should have happened. It shouldn’t have come to this. ...
“I think open processes are always best, always best. ... If you were thinking about terminating someone’s employment, I could understand the need for sensitivity and privacy. ... But this is a process of potential employment. I think the people of this city want to know who’s going to be their city manager. It’s an important position.”
Q Why should I vote for you?
A “Several reasons. One, I’ve got 35 years of experience in logistics. Part of that experience was trimming finances. ... When I was on the East Coast as a regional analyst ... I set up systems, economies of scale that saved the company in the Newark area three to four million dollars in inventory investment. ...
“The other is I believe I’ve got the people skills and the availability to really be one part of a catalyst to bring the city together. My intent is to work with all of Emporia’s communities — seniors, students, educators, labor, management, minorities — to bring this city together. ...”
Q Is there anything else you want to say that I haven’t asked?
A “I’ve put my campaign together on three themes: community, opportunity and responsibility. ... We need a cultural and economic revival. It’s a long march. It’s going to take determination, hope and effort. And I intend to give it my all and I want people to vote for me on that basis.”