Where they stand: District 2, co. Commission
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
This is the third in a series of area candidates’ responses to questionnaires prepared by the League of Women Voters of Emporia. Today, the answers of the two candidates for the 76th District of the Kansas House. Their questions were:
1. What are your qualifications for this office? (75 words)
2. What are your views on economic development for the county? (100 words)
3. As commissioner, what would you like to see the county accomplish in the next four years? (100 words)
4. What are your views on City-County cooperation? (75 words)
Teresa Walters, Republican
1. (Qualifications) I have been active in volunteer and leadership activities since moving to Emporia in 1990. I care deeply about the health and growth of each community in Lyon County. I am an attentive listener and study all aspects of an issue before making a decision. I am forward-thinking, and am not afraid to think independently. I will question the status quo if doing so will help increase the contemplation of topics addressed and decisions made.
2. (Economic Development) Economic development is essential to meet the broad fiscal goals of a county, such as high employment, an expanded tax base and growth that is both planned and sustainable. It helps preserve the funding base to maintain the infrastructure and the level of services that can be provided to those living in the county. It must be remembered, though, that business growth does not happen in a vacuum. To be successful and comprehensive, economic development must also reflect improvements in indicators such as the literacy rates, life expectancy, and poverty rates of county residents who make up the work force.
3. (Next Four Years) Systems consolidation as a way to increase efficiency is a worthwhile consideration. A study is currently being conducted regarding consolidation of city and county law enforcement. Because merging of systems can have pros and cons, I am anxious to learn the results of the study as well as hear the viewpoints of those who will be involved if such a merger takes place.
4. (City-County Cooperation) I would be open to helping identify any potential opportunities for cooperation, collaboration, and sharing of resources between city and county that could guarantee continued delivery of quality services and could provide greater efficiency for both entities.
Philip Winter, Democrat
1. (Qualifications) I believe that my years of working closely with various commissions of Lyon County as county counselor and in other capacities in county government for over thirty years help me see solutions to the various county government problems that might not be readily apparent.
2. (Economic Development) The county needs economic development. This must be done in an orderly manner so necessary services can be provided in an economic manner while complying with various Kansas Statutes. This is most likely to be successful in agricultural and commercial development related to local agricultural products or demands to create sustained long term development.
3. (Next Four Years) I would like to see a further integration and use of services provided by Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College to Lyon County Government. Assets presently owned and operated by county government on behalf of the citizens of Lyon County should be properly maintained in an economic and cost effective way, hopefully avoiding new taxes.
4. (City-County Cooperation) Lyon County and the cities within Lyon County have a long history of cooperation in areas where both must provide similar services, for example, ambulance and solid waste. Joint city-county purchases have been long discussed but have not been widely used. It would seem that joint city-county purchases, tied in with the State purchase contracts, could result in a savings of funds for all concerned.
Comments
Post a comment
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. Our goal with this feature is to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories. Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable. Emporiagazette.com neither endorses nor guarantees the accuracy of any user contribution. Responsibility for what is posted or contributed to this site is the sole responsibility of each user. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
(Requires free registration.)