City council hopefuls share goals, priorities
Marion County residents have filed for city council positions. Voters will decide the winners in the April 3 general election.
Peabody Gazette-Bulletin sent questionnaires to candidates in Peabody, Florence, and Burns areas. Following are their responses.
Burns City Council
Brent Baker
Did not respond to request.
Daniel S. Huls II
1) Why do you want to be elected to the Burns City Council?
Huls: "I think that more can be done with the land that the city owns. The museum is in need of work as is the Catholic school. The ball diamond and parks also need attention. We need more people in town to help the businesses and we need to save the houses we have as well as build new ones. Without houses and people our businesses are going to struggle. We need to bring people to town to visit as well as live."
2) What would be your three top priorities or goals for the City of Burns?
Huls: "1. Find ways to bring residents to the community. 2. Find ways to bring visitors to town to help local businesses. 3. Get all of the community involved in the town to fix and repair the buildings and playground equipment."
3) Are you satisfied/dissatisfied with the current council?
Huls: "I think we have an excellent council. They have great ideas but they just don't stick with them. They need someone who isn't afraid of speaking up and sticking with it."
4) What is your background and/or qualifications for the position of councilman?
Huls: "I've lived in Burns two different times for approximately a total of 20 years. I've had chances to move and won't. It's a peaceful town. When I think something needs to be done, I'm persistent and hard working. I'm not afraid to speak up and I won't just give up. I'll get it done. I'll do the research and work by myself if I can't get anyone to help."
5) Personal information. (Spouse, profession, residency, etc.).
Huls: "I am 24 years old. I've lived in Burns most of my life. I married a girl from Burns 2 1/2 years ago. Her name is Renea. We have a three-year-old son together. His name is Anthony. We live in a trailer house on Church Street. We are currently buying a house that the city had condemned and was going to tear down this spring. We are going to remodel it and make it our permanent residence in the next few years. I currently am unemployed. My wife works in El Dorado. I usually do fabrication work but currently am a stay-at-home dad. I also do remodeling part-time as I am needed."
Patricia Nystrom
Did not respond to request.
Susan Savage
1) Why do you want to be elected to the Burns City Council?
Savage: "Bring a fresh insight to our city government for the betterment of our community."
2) What would be your three top priorities or goals for the City of Burns?
Savage: "To do what is best for the city at large, without a personal agenda, to help the city prosper and grow, and stay a safe place to live, and to follow the state laws in all of our governing decisions."
3) Are you satisfied/dissatisfied with the current council?
Savage: "I believe the council members who are leaving have done all they feel they could do and it is time for them to leave so new people can come in with a fresh outlook."
4) What is your background and/or qualifications for the position of councilman?
Savage: "As a bookkeeper for the past 39 years, I have an understanding of budgets and the necessity of staying within a budget. I also have an innate ability to see both sides of an issue and make sound judgments based on the facts."
5) Personal information (spouse, profession, residency, etc.).
Savage: "I am a bookkeeper with six years of experience with QuickBooks and an artist. I have lived in Burns since December 1972, and been married to Ray E. Savage of Florence for nearly 18 years."
Judith Steward
1) Why do you want to be re-elected to the Burns City Council?
Steward: "I have never aspired to work in government. However, I think it is my patriotic duty to serve. So two years ago I ran and was elected. After much prayer, I am running for re-election."
2) What would be your top three priorities or goals for the City of Burns?
Steward: "Better streets, better communication with citizens, and to look for solid projects/ways to bring new homeowners to Burns."
3) Are you satisfied /dissatisfied with the current council?
Steward: "I believe the city council can potentially become more knowledgeable in city governing and take its place as the driving force behind good government."
4) What is your background and/or qualifications for the position of councilman?
Steward: "I served eight years on the Burns Library board with seven of those years as treasurer. As treasurer, I interacted with the city council at that time. While on the library board, I worked to promote the city hall/library project. While on the city council, I joined my husband in promoting and accomplishing the project that was adopted by the city council and completed."
5) Personal information (spouse, profession, residency, etc.).
Steward: "I'm married to Mark L. Steward and have been for 30 years. I have two sons, a daughter, five grandchildren, and five step-grandchildren. Mark and I moved to Burns 12 years ago. I am a homemaker/intercessor. We attend Spirit Life Church in Wichita. I am a member of the Burns Pride Committee.
"Previously I worked for Pauline's Flowers in El Dorado and Dean's Designs in Wichita as a floral designer until Mark and I were married. My husband has worked for 28 years at New Frontier Refinery in El Dorado. He served for nine years on the Burns City Council and currently serves on the board of Butler County Fire District #10.
Mayor of Florence
Gregory A. Winn
1) Why do you want to be elected mayor of Florence?
Winn: "I believe that I can leverage my experiences to make a positive difference to the people of Florence."
2) If elected, what would be your three top priorities and/or goals for the city?
Winn: "My top priorities are as follows:
"1. Start and complete street and sewer repair projects.
"2. Economic development in the city can be accomplished by working with all of the various groups such as Florence Chamber of Commerce, PRIDE, Marion County Economic Development Council, and help them to accomplish projects they have already initiated. Also work in conjunction with the city, county, and state governments to develop an economic incentives package to market to medium and large businesses on the benefits of building or relocating to Florence. Using/applying for developmental grants to foster small business development.
"3. My third priority will be to clear up some of the administrative and procedural problem areas such as emergency/disaster planning, ADA, and other issues that continue to prevent the city from moving forward in a constructive and meaningful way."
3) Are you satisfied/dissatisfied with the current council and administration?
Winn: "I am satisfied with the council's performance in addressing the needs of the people. However, there is always room for improvement."
4) What is your background and/or qualifications for the position of mayor?
Winn: "I think the most important qualification that I possess is commitment and desire to do the job and serve the people of Florence. I bring to the table a wealth of business and project management knowledge and experience that I gained from my time in the U.S. Marine Corps, and businesses such as Sprint, Entex, and Circle K.
"In business, I have learned good communication and interpersonal skills, working with diverse people and cultures. The Marines taught me leadership and a confidence in myself and my abilities. I have not yet completed my degree and continue to work toward the completion of this goal."
5) Personal information. (Spouse, occupation, residency, etc.).
Winn: "I have lived and worked in the Florence community for approximately 18 months. Born in Eureka, I have lived in Kansas most of my life. I served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Currently I am the manager of Johnson's General Store, located on U.S.-50.
Florence City Council, Ward 2
Gary Nesser
1) Why do you want to be elected to the Florence City Council?
Nesser: "I have decided to serve Florence because several people have asked me to run for city council and to have a feeling of belonging to the community by volunteering.
"I'm getting to the age where I am not physically able to do hard labor for an extended duration, like I used to, and volunteering for city council is one way to participate and maybe give something to the community. I would like to help to improve our town so that people can be proud of Florence and like where they live, and make it a place for others to want to move."
2) If elected, what would be your three top priorities and/or goals for the City of Florence?
Nesser: "I would like to put the council back to being an organization that represents what the people of the city want. I know that no city council can please every person but it should represent the majority of the people and not be some personal agenda of council members or certain individuals.
"We would need to maintain the day-to-day operations of the city and possibly improve general operations including streets, curb and gutter, and sidewalks.
"Lastly, would be to look for creative plans and ideas, to increase the financial budget of the city and/or its citizens through grants and other means. There are numerous ways to achieve this such as increased business ventures, state help, or other ideas not even thought of yet. We are the poorest community in the county."
3) Are you satisfied/dissatisfied with the current council and administration?
Nesser: "Not totally. It seems to me that the council has become an organization that represents what it thinks is best, without regard for what the general population thinks is best. I think in their heart they believe they are doing 'what's best', but it seems there are more personal agendas and gains for individuals rather than for the people on the whole. A prime example is by not allowing people to vote on zoning issues and letting the council decide on their own. The council has stated that they have to power to decide and the general population doesn't know or care about zoning. Even if is legal, it isn't ethical, especially when they known there is opposition."
4) What is your background and/or qualifications for the position of councilman?
Nesser: "The only political experience I have was as a former member and president of Teller County Mountain Search and Rescue organization in Colorado for about five years. I have been either a resident or closely associated with Marion County for a majority of my 58 years. I have common sense and don't have personal agendas or ties with any member or group of people — no family feuds, so to speak. I am a fairly good mediator between disagreeing groups. Mostly I have creative ideas and visions that aren't out of touch with reality. Since I have changed jobs in the past year, I have become a regular participant in city council meetings and special meetings, and feel even if I don't always agree with the council, I still have a working relationship with them. Remember, the council isn't just one person."
5) Personal information. (Spouse, occupation, residency, etc.).
Nesser: "I've been married to Janet Nesser for 18 years. She is a para-educator in Marion. I have five children — Matthew, Mark, Luke, Jon, and Elizabeth — ranging in ages from 32 to 11. I am the technology director of the Peabody-Burns school district and formerly with Tyson Foods of Emporia as an electronics specialist.
"With the change of employment this past year, I now work hours where I am able to be more involved with our community. I have lived in Florence for a little more than five years and plan on being here a long time."
Trayce Warner
1) Why do you want to be elected to the Florence City Council?
Warner: "I am a believer that it is easy to talk about the issues and more difficult to take action. I would like to be a take action type of person and to serve my community."
2) What would be your three top priorities or goals for the City of Florence?
Warner: "I would hope to promote economic growth and development. I would love to work with the various organizations in Florence to improve our parks and recreation. My only promise would be to stay available to and interested in the ideas and opinions of the community, and to use my best judgment when making decisions.
3) Are you satisfied/dissatisfied with the current council and administration?
Warner: "At a recent council meeting, I heard auditor Dale Clark give the city a glowing financial report. That shows me that this council has focused on financial stability, which should be a top priority. This council also has shown me they are committed to being above aboard in all their dealings and receptive to the concerns of the community."
4) What is your background and/or qualifications for the position of councilman?
Warner: "I have been a member of the Florence Chamber of Commerce for five years, secretary for three years, and have to help promote new and existing businesses. I began helping the Labor Day Committee nine years ago and was chairman of that committee for three years, coordinating fund-raisers, event schedules, event logistics, and dozens of volunteers. I currently am a member of the class of 2007 of Leadership Marion County, and hope to learn new skills and make new contacts. I am compulsive note-taker, trying to make sure I have the facts and not just hearsay. I also believe that research is the key factor to making informed decisions."
5) Personal information. (Spouse, professional, residency, etc.).
Warner: "My husband, Mike, and I have been married for 28 years, and we bought our home in Florence in 1990. We have three children — Letitia, 24, who is living and working in Baltimore, Md., Kade, 21, and Cody, 16, who both live at home. The two older children are graduates of Marion High School. Currently Cody is a freshman and was born after we moved here. Mike is a fuel delivery specialist for Cenex Fuels, a volunteer firefighter, and rescue truck operator. I am an emergency medical technician and training officer of the Florence crew of Marion County EMS. In addition to my involvement with community organization, I was a Florence city employee for two years, driving the trash truck and working on projects in the other departments. I also truly love to cook, not only for my family but for friends and community events."
Mayor of Peabody
Edmund Slocombe
1) Do you have a vision for the City of Peabody?
Slocombe: "I would like to see the city government continue an open, positive working relationship between the city council, city employees, and citizens for the betterment of the City of Peabody. The involvement of citizens is essential for the total well being of this community. I would work for a relationship that promotes collaboration and cooperation among the cities of Marion County for future programs and projects."
2) What will you do to promote economic growth in Peabody? What plans do you have for the industrial park?
Slocombe: "I will continue to support the businesses in Peabody and welcome new businesses and investors to our community. I will be receptive to considerations and development of ideas and investments in the industrial park."
3) Do you consider the historic designation of the downtown district important or a hindrance?
Slocombe: "Peabody's designation as a historic city pays tribute to the founding fathers for their values and contributions. Peabody is fortunate to have community leaders who keep our roots alive and share Peabody's past with its citizens and visitors to our city. The historical attributes of the city are an asset with the programs that recognize historical features."
4) What is your background and/or qualifications for the position of mayor?
Slocombe: "Currently I am completing my second year as a Peabody City Councilman. I understand the role of a mayor and the responsibility that goes with it. I am a member of the Peabody Historical Society. I was instrumental in forming the Peabody-Burns FFA Alumni Chapter and have served as president for three years. Currently I am the treasurer.
"My professional career of 30 years was with the Cooperative Extension service in association with Colorado State University and Oregon State University. During this time, I coordinated adult and youth programs for a six-county area in Colorado and a large county in Oregon. I worked closely with volunteers and appreciate and value the investment of their time and talent."
5) Personal information. (Spouse, profession, residency, etc.).
Slocombe: "I was raised on a farm northeast of Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School. I received a bachelor degree in Animal Science from Kansas State University and a master's in education from Colorado State University. I married Audrey Ann Davies of Marion and June 1 will be our 50th anniversary.
"Our son and daughter are married and live with their families in Texas and Vermont. We have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. We are members of Peabody Methodist Church."
Peabody City Council
Mitch Cunningham
Did not respond to request.
Larry Larsen
Did not respond to request.
Steve Rose
Did not respond to request.
