Journal staff report
In the Nov. 5 general election, three write-in candidates for the Linn County Commission will be seeking to upset two candidates that have already won the nominations of the Republican voters in the August primary election.
Incumbent Commissioner Jim Johnson is seeking a second term as representative for the 3rd District, which includes Mound City, Blue Mound, Centerville, and Liberty townships. He won the Republican nomination and a place on the November ballot by beating challenger Richard Morrell by 100 votes in the primary.
Alison Hamilton is seeking to replace Commissioner Danny McCullough in the 2nd District commission seat. McCullough opted not to run for reelection, and Hamilton won a three-way contest against challengers Vicki Leonard, and Rod Earnest.
Earnest and Leonard both want another crack at the commission seat, believing that a wider voter base could swing the election in their favor as write-in candidates.
Reina Kratzberg has mounted a write-in campaign in hopes that more voters will also deliver a win for her to take the 3rd District post and unseat Johnson.
The Journal asked the three candidates why they were running. Leonard and Earnest responded to our questions in writing, while Kratzberg was interviewed for her responses. Here are results below with the candidates listed in alphabetical order.
Second District
Rod Earnest
Why have you decided to begin a write-in campaign for the commission seat?
To give the people a choice. Our Democrats in the county should also have a choice. I never heard either candidate talk about cutting spending or lowering taxes, they talked about growing government in the county, I disagree with that.
What is your background and how has that prepared you to serve your constituents?
I have 40 plus years’ experience in the power electrical generating plants for the last 20 years as a superintendent, managing multi-million dollar projects bringing them in on budget and schedule. Managing as a project leader brought people together, improved quality and quantity of work safely and productively.
What obstacles do you see with running as a write-in candidate, and how do you intend to overcome them?
Getting the people out to vote is always a challenge, so getting my name out there and letting them know to write in Rod Earnest commissioner District No. 2.
Why are you a better choice for commission than the candidate that has won the primary?
I want to cut taxes and spending, increase communication between departments and commissioners. My extensive experience in management will help bring costs down and productivity up, work smarter not harder.
What are the five top issues you see facing the commission now, and what steps would you take to address those issues?
Cut spending, lower taxes, improve infrastructure, and computer programs that will help with budgeting and spending. We need to improve our roads and work to help our current businesses and farmers. Our farmers and ag businesses have millions of dollars invested. Businesses are paying huge taxes, we need to help them survive and flourish this would attract other businesses for economic development.
Vicki Leonard
Why have you decided to begin a write-in campaign for the commission seat?
I was approached by many constituents after the primary election asking me to run as a write- in candidate for District No. 2 Commissioner. Many said that I was not on their ballot, (Democrats had a different ballot at the primary and unaffiliated voters could not vote.)
What is your background and how has that prepared you to serve your constituents?
My early background was in the field of Cosmetology, owning a small business. I attended Fort Scott Community College. Later, I was a residential manager with Tri-Ko Inc., working with those with special needs. I also had the honor of being elected as Linn County's District No. 2 Commissioner in 2009 and served until 2019. This allowed me to gain a very good understanding of how our mill levy works, our budgeting process, and how our county government works. I currently work part time in the Linn County Register of Deeds office, which has given me a greater understanding of the wonderful history that our county holds.
What obstacles do you see with running as a write-in candidate, and how do you intend to overcome them?
I view the main obstacle as my name not being on the ballot and citizens knowing that there is another choice, and that my name can be written in, and their vote will count, as I have filed the necessary paperwork to run as a write-in candidate.
Why are you a better choice for commission than the candidate that has won the primary?
I believe the constituents need to decide who is the best choice that fits with their beliefs and values. I have lived in Linn County for 51 years and served in many different organizations and on many boards. Those included the USD 344 school board, PTO president, teaching and working within my church for many years, SEK-CAP, 6th Judicial District, Juvenile Detention, Area Agency on Aging, Mid America Nutrition, Pleasanton Lincoln Library Board, and I also worked on the financial committee for a grant that we obtained for the new Pleasanton community center. I served 10 years as the commissioner for our district, working and helping to implement positive changes to move our county in a forward direction, such as the new Judicial Center and jail, infrastructure improvements in roads, bridges and landfill. We implemented the SRO (School Resource Officer) program into our schools, and also voted to allow a mill (divided among the cities) for street and infrastructure needs to help with needed improvements. I supported paying off all of our county debt when funds allowed.
What are the top issues you see facing the commission now, and what steps would you take to address those issues?
1.Taking care of our people is always a primary concern, whether it is making sure we have good services such as ambulance, fire, law enforcement, transportation, and meeting the needs of our citizens. My focus will be on serving our people in the best manner possible.
2. Making sure that we manage every aspect of our government as efficiently as possible and to be good stewards of our taxpayers money.
3. To help foster good communications between our commissioners, elected Officials and employees in our county. The childish bickering, arguments, foul language, bullying, micro managing and unprofessionalism needs to stop. The morale of our county employees and elected officials is as low as it can get, and many are looking for other jobs. It's absolutely embarrassing and needs to stop. I respect and get along well with our county officials and employees and respect them greatly. They do a fine job and should be commended instead of torn down and berated.
4.Taking care of our infrastructure and making sure that we help provide what is needed to help our public works run efficiently.
5. Working toward good economic development to find ways to produce more jobs and employment in our future. We have a beautiful county, filled with great people and we should be so very grateful to live here. I know I certainly feel blessed and want everyone to have a good quality of life.
Thank you for reading my comments, and may God bless Linn County - Vicki
Third District
Reina Kratzberg
Why have you decided to begin a write-in campaign for the commission seat?
I want to see the county going in a positive direction. It is important to me that the county employees are treated with respect. It’s embarrassing to me how our county is being portrayed to neighboring counties. Someone needed to step up and take responsibility.
What is your background and how has that prepared you to serve your constituents?
My roots are in Linn County. My grandparents, the Stifflers, used to run the Centerville elevator. In my position now working with Page Enterprises on water issues, I work daily with the public in customer service. I believe in treating our customers with respect. Your respect is earned, it’s not a given. For five years, I ran a bait shop business, Daisy’s Bait Shop, in Garnett, Kansas. I am experienced in running a business from budgeting to purchasing and meeting deadlines. I have worked for years running motor graders, dump trucks and working on road issues. I believe that employees should be given a training course and work with an experienced operator before being sent out to work on the roads.
What obstacles do you see with running as a write-in candidate, and how do you intend to overcome them?
The obstacles I see are getting the people out to vote and understanding where on the ballot to write my name in. On the ballot, it will be under County Offices, County Commissioner Third District and there will be a blank line. Then they also need to fill in the circle by that line. The name to put in is Reina Kratzberg.
Why are you a better choice for commission than the candidate that has won the primary?
Because I care about the people and our public services that they taxpayers pay for. I believe in being able to delegate tasks to the people who have the skills to perform them.
What are the top issues you see facing the commission now, and what steps would you take to address those issues.
Not having a county counselor. The commissioners need to have that kind of legal knowledge so they are not making poor decisions.
I would like to develop a better working relationship between the commissioners and the county employees.
Transparency from the county officials is a very important issue. Commissioners should not be discussing county issues with each other outside of the commission meeting.
I would like to revisit the ambulance service on the west side of the county.
As far as economic develop goes, I'm a big supporter of small businesses.
Comentários