Chat: Teresa Walters, 2nd District County Commission
Friday, October 31, 2008
Teresa Walters is the Republican candidate for the 2nd District Lyon County Commission seat. She participated in an online chat with Gazette readers Thursday afternoon. Here is a transcript:
Q Ms. Walters, do you believe that the involvement you have had with the proposed smoking ban has caused you to lose potential votes?
A I realize that it is possible that people have determined whether or not to support my candidacy for county commissioner based on my involvement in public health issues which are the focus of my job with EDA. I began working on the clean air project many months before deciding to run and could have made the determination to “protect” my possibilities of being elected by not being as involved in the clean air efforts. As a certified prevention specialist in the State of Kansas, though, I agreed to a Code of Ethics which state that I can not place any personal gain or advantage ahead of my obligation to serve and support the community with prevention. As such, I chose to continue the role I had taken with the clean air efforts and hope that people understand that their purpose was for the public health.
Q Do you think the county should have a smoking ban? YES OR NO PLEASE.
A Yes, I believe at some point the ordinance should be county-wide. The purpose of the ordinance as written was to create a level playing field among those establishments in our community that allow smoking. Because of that, it is not fair to have those establishments in the city limits to be required to do business under the ordinance while other businesses in the county still allow smoking. In addition, by only having the ordinance in Emporia, we are disregarding the health effects for our friends, family and neighbors who live in other parts of the county. Having an ordinance only in Emporia makes it appear that we are willing to safeguard the health of some over others.
Q Why do you feel that you are qualified to be a Lyon County commissioner?
A I have worked to develop leadership skills with past jobs and positions that I have held both in this community and at the state level. I feel that this position would enable me to utilize those skills in an area that I am not already currently familiar with or known for. I enjoy learning and challenging myself and feel that I have good listening and networking skills, all of which will be important in the position of county commissioner. I also hope that I can challenge others to be more involved and help myself and the other commissioners become aware of concerns. I am interested in government and think it is my responsibility as a resident of Lyon County to be more involved. I feel that I am capable of assuming the duties and responsibilities of the office. I want to learn from what has been done in the past but I don’t necessarily feel that everything has to continue as it has in the past.
Q 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?
A I think that the new sales tax increase will provide resources to some of the more rural areas of the county that have the potential for growth and development but lack the financial means to do so.
I would want to be involved in what was being proposed and encourage deliberate and planned development with an idea to the future as well as the present.
I certainly think that other communities in Lyon County need and deserve further development and will help explore ways to help the dialogue begin.
Q How could Lyon County avoid problems like those that cropped up after passage of the sales tax?
A I understand that a question was raised as to whether or not we had the authority to enact such an increase prior to it being placed on the ballot. In hindsight, it would appear that taking the time to more thoroughly investigate that authority might have prevented some of the issues raised once we thought it was going to happen.
On the other hand, I was not involved closely with the discussion that occurred prior to placing it on the ballot and I’m sure those that were involved felt that the appropriate steps had been taken. I don’t want to come across as “blaming” anyone — and doing so does not help solve anything or make the sales tax increase be collected sooner.
We can only move forward from this point and, fortunately, both our county and city commissioners were flexible and reacted to the news in a positive manner.
Q Do you feel the opposition you’ve faced for clean air efforts has prepared you for the sometimes “ugly side” of public service? What have you learned from those who so vehemently protest the smoking ban? How can you apply those learnings to the commission? Good luck.
A I knew that the clean air ordinance would be controversial but never realized how strongly some would feel and I have to admit that some of the comments have been hurtful. I strongly feel that what we are proposing is the best for the public health of everyone.
One piece of advice I have received is that one can never assume what importance an individual will place on a particular topic. I understand that it’s impossible to make a decision that appeals or pleases everyone but, in my job as commissioner, I will encourage ALL to share their opinions as I will be there to represent everyone.
I probably need to become a little more thick-skinned!
Q This question just came in from a caller having Internet problems: “In your ad you state that you will represent all equally and fairly making sure concerns are heard. How can you make that claim knowing you will push the anti-smoking agenda?”
A I have never stated that I would “push” an anti-smoking agenda. I was asked if I supported it going county-wide and I do.
I would serve on the commission following the ethics of that position as well as the statutes that outline my job description.
Public health is always going to be important to me and I will support measures brought to me that are thoughtful and appropriate and have broad general support and the statement I made in my ad is how I intend to serve.
I have noticed that my profession seems to raise this concern more so than, say, my husband who was on the city commission when we owned Wendy’s. I can honestly say that I never heard a comment made that the only reason he got on the commission was to make sure that everyone ate square hamburgers instead of round.
Q Within the last 10 years, there has been interest in developing subdivisions at different places between Emporia and Americus, which is in your district, as well as some locations north and east of town in the 1st District. What criteria would you use to determine whether a subdivision was a good fit for a particular location?
A I would want to utilize departments at the county which can help me and the other commissioners make the determination based on land usage, the location, etc. Again, there are a lot of considerations such as run-off, utilities, easements, etc. that have to be looked at and may impact neighboring tracts of land.
All of these need to be studied so that we are constantly thinking of our resources, both current and future, and making decisions that will be viable for generations to come.
Q What issues are voters in the 2nd District telling you they’d like the commission to address?
A I know there are concerns about the log jam up by Neosho Rapids but, talking to current commissioners as well as voters who are familiar with it, this is something that has been allowed to get increasingly worse.
Residents are also concerned about the maintenance of roads and bridges that they travel. Both of these problems are contingent on the budget and, in the case of the log jam, who will take responsibility for the problem. They each bring to light the need for ongoing maintenance, which again I know is costly, but the more deferred maintenance one has, the more it ends up costing in the end.