Candidate Profile - Newton Kansan October

1.  Having been involved in the business community in Newton over many years through my husband's businesses, I developed an interest in county governance.  After retirement, I began attending county commission meetings and quickly realized that the skills I had honed in my career would benefit the work of the commission and the county.  Through my experiences with the VA, family, and businesses, I believe in the richness of diverse perspectives and how to build consensus. The District 2 seat encompasses much of Newton and North Newton-communities that I clearly know and desire to represent.  The fact that my career was outside of county governance is a plus as I bring a broad perspective to the issues we are facing.  I've observed the struggle the county has to improve communities, working with only 25% of the levy, and I'm motivated to help our communities become more prosperous places to live and work.  I also think it's important for Newton and North Newton to maintain an appreciation for the county as a whole, and I can help communicate the issues to District 2 residents in a meaningful way. 

2.  I supported the Commissioner's decision to keep the mill levy flat.  However, that doesn't mean that we don't have considerable improvements to make.  The commission's impact on the budget of another elected official requires us to work together to make the most of our resources.  I'm concerned about the safety of our citizens and the Sheriff's staff if we don't find a way to fund an additional deputy, or even provide adequate compensation for deputies.  These individuals keep us safe and deal with very challenging situations around the county.  While the Road and Bridge department has a plan to maintain roads, they've been unable to meet those needs due to budget constraints.  Maintaining roads is necessary for safety, and if managed well, also a sign of a community that is healthy.  These are issues in which our county residents can have a voice, and we definitely need communities to come together with solutions.  I'd like to encourage that kind of problem-solving.  The staff in these two departments have a great deal of expertise that can be applied to these challenges, and I believe that if our citizens knew more, they would help find solutions.  

3.  Losing opportunities for businesses and families to locate here in Harvey County. The business of the County is much about creating and maintaining an infrastructure that can support the vitality and new growth of our respective communities. If that infrastructure is fragile or under-funded, it becomes apparent that we don't have a healthy balance of revenue and taxation.  When under-funded, it undercuts our ability to attract people with the kind of community life they are looking for, with amenities and opportunities that benefit their families and employees.  Investing in this infrastructure is the foundation for county growth and vibrant schools. It's the infrastructure that gives us peace of mind, security and safe streets.  It's the infrastructure that manages your taxes with care and integrity.  It's the infrastructure that responds to your emergencies and helps provide for health education and support when you're in crisis. It's the infrastructure that ensures quality control in our local election processes. Each one of our county communities deserves to benefit from the infrastructure they are paying taxes for.  For those entities that don't support the county infrastructure because of property tax exemption, there may be ways to help alleviate the burden to others. 

4.   Within the county operations, one of my goals would be to implement data-driven decision-making to a greater extent. Departments need the right tools to collect data and communicate that information to the county commission. Just because we lean toward data-driven decisions doesn't mean we take the human element out of the equation. We are serving people, after all.  I'd like to see a more appropriate amount of time allowed for decision-making and draw on more expertise from citizens.  This will happen when they learn more about the needs and issues.  Another goal is to support our county employees in the work they do, recognize their knowledge, and communicate to District 2 citizens how their work supports their quality of life.  A third goal is to work toward a broader mix of business incentives, housing options and work-force opportunities that support the infrastructure the county provides.  And finally, our citizens deserve a commissioner who regularly advocates for them at the state level.  This might be serving on state or regional boards or communicating our voices to legislators about the impact of legislation on us in Harvey County. 

5.  The role has both legislative and administrative duties, of which I'm familiar.  I have decades of experience in nursing management, the last twenty years at the VA.  I've managed large and small budgets, created and implemented policy at the local and federal levels, and rely on critical thinking skills when faced with problem-solving. I have established connections with legislators already and will convey what matters most to us through those connections. I have experience sitting on boards and planning teams.  Maintaining a satisfied and capable workforce is important to me, and I received many awards and bonuses for my ability to improve efficiency, productivity, and support team development.  My husband and I have been part of the business community in Newton for decades, and we are very aware of the trends and challenges faced by businesses, and the families that create them.  We've participated in civic organizations and private groups that encourage new ideas and innovation.  I have a broad background of experience from which to draw as we face the tough decisions in the coming years.  It's more than ordinances and budgeting and meetings - its bringing the community together around issues that affect us.