Karen Van Leeuwen,
Republican
1. Why do you believe that you are the best candidate for County Commission?
My experience in creating, meeting and exceeding budgets is paramount. I created strategic business plans for over eleven years as Advertising Manger for the Morning Sun Newspaper. In that role, I was always responsive to our customers and I believe that anyone who dealt with me found that I was sensitive to the needs of the public. My philosophy is that the customer (or in this case the taxpayer) is number 1. The commissioners and the county employees work for the taxpayers.
I am currently a Financial Adviser, running my own business. I have experience as a successful business person. Our county needs commissioners who are familiar with finance and understand the workings of what it takes to run a business, which I believe the county is.
I’m not a politician. I haven’t spent alot of money on this campaign because I don’t want to be obligated to anyone except the taxpayers of Crawford County.
I want to make a positive difference in our county. I have lived here all of my life and been involved in nearly every non-profit organization in our county in an effort to make this a better place to live. I feel that county government is the next step to making these goals a reality. I believe that we need to be more fiscally responsible, county government needs to be more responsive to our constituents.
I have a desire to see economic development in our county. I feel that the county needs to be treated like a business. Doesn’t every resident of Crawford County want to see us in the black at the bottom line just as a business would? As taxpayers, they are the investors and the county is their investment. The return is in the services provided such as fire and police protection, responsible management of our county offices and road maintenance.
Finally, I believe that the three commissioners need to represent their respective districts BUT, I believe the good of all of Crawford County needs to be considered by each commissioner, no matter what district they represent. The division of our districts needs to be addressed.
2. What, in your opinion, is the most pressing issue facing your office?
Economic development is at the top of the list. We cannot provide tax relief to our current taxpayers unless we grow our tax base. The best way to do that is to attract businesses and increase the areas where we might find income.
I do not believe there is much room to cut services. The taxes currently being paid by our small businesses is detremental to the survival and growth of those businesses. These businesses are essential to keeping our county afloat as the key to keeping taxpayers in Crawford County is jobs.
3. How do you intend, if elected, to address the county budget?
We need to take a good hard look at the money we are spending. Are we getting what we think we are paying for?
Is the current adminstration spending our tax dollars in Crawford County with tax-paying businesses?
Are our county employees making the best use of their time?
If elected, I would examine every aspect of the budget to see if we are being fiscally responsible. My goal would also be to make sure that the constituents have all of the information openly and readily available to them.
Bob Kmiec, Republican
1. Why do you believe that you are the best candidate for County Commission?
There must be a desire to serve and the willingness to make personal sacrifices to serve in a public office. I have that desire.
I also believe years of experience and the knowledge of the way county government works will help with the difficult choices we must make during these difficult times. My desire to serve the people and use common sense in all decisions is also important.
2. What, in your opinion, is the most pressing issue facing your office?
Budget! Everything we do relates to budget, whether it is road repair, emergency services, safety, taxes, etc.
3. How do you intend, if elected, to address the county budget?
About three years ago, we started noticing a trend leaning toward a downturn in our economy. Decreasing valuation and a shift in sales tax collections. Cost share programs from the state cut or eliminated.
We decided we needed to start taking steps to protect our budget.
With the cooperation of the elected and appointed officials we initiated some cost saving plans. At the same time we decided to reduce the debt load of the county. In the past two years alone we have reduced the county debt by over two million dollars. We managed to do this and still keep our mill levy at or near the same level. I think we must continue on this plan to eliminate wasteful spending, keep a lid on huge tax increases and pay off the debt load we carry. We need to continue working on a plan to improve and maintain our roads without creating huge bonded indebtedness and to provide the other services our citizens expect.
Joe Kennedy, Democrat
1. Why do you believe that you are the best candidate for County Commission?
Communication is a key element in business and government. Not only will I listen to people, but I will hear what they are saying. I will analyze and ask questions, so I confirm a full understanding of the issue.
I will listen and work for the taxpayer. If I don’t know an answer to a problem, I will seek out those who can help me find the answers. I pledged to make meaningful public outreach a cornerstone of my term.
I have more than adequate life experiences along with good common sense, when told by the taxpayers not to implement something. Don’t.
I am absolutely for the taxpayer/property owner of this county. I will stand up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves. I may not always be politically correct, but people always know, where I stand. I help my neighbor and I consider myself neighborly.
I sincerely care about the county, and I do have the time and energy to devote to the job 24/7. I believe this is a huge asset for this position.
2. What, in your opinion, is the most pressing issue facing your office?
Finances are the No. 1 issue for the county even in good times, and I intend to make informed and sensible decisions. I am also concerned how the new federal Health Care bill will affect the county’s healthcare benefits and claims.
3. How do you intend, if elected, to address the county budget?
When the taxpayers earnings are down 5 to 10 percent due to company furloughs or downsizing as a result of the economy down turn over the last year, which in some cases some companies have been forced to even close their doors completely, we need to use these as indicators that tax revenues will be down. We need to be conscious of the reduced revenue streams generated from the taxpayers that support all the county functions and match the funds accordingly. We may need to reduce in some areas, but we still need to maintain the mandates that are in place currently.
If elected county commissioner, I will lead by example and cut the commissioner’s wages by 10 percent immediately. Taking money out of county savings or raising the mill levy must be considered an absolute last option, just as taking money out of one’s own personal savings should be a last resort for any and all taxpayers.
I will lead by the example of being honest, respectful and professional. I will be asking for input for ways to save taxpayers’ dollars, and I will be open to any ideas and suggestions on how to do jobs more efficiently and how to better serve the taxpayers.
All County employees must remember their employer is the taxpayer. They ultimately work for you.
Larry Brunett, Democrat
1. Why do you believe that you are the best candidate for County Commission?
I have three years experience, one of which was under a former Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Director. Also, I served two years as a Frontenac City Councilman. In both of these jobs, I did all aspects of the job including preparing multi-million dollar budgets, and reviewing the daily expenditures. In addition, I’ve been employed by Crawford County Road and Bridge Department for the past 13 years. During that time I have studied the county budget, payroll, raises, and policies. I believe this gives me a unique perspective on how the county currently condutcts its business. Also, I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from Pittsburg State in recreation administration and psychology. I believe my experience and education has prepared me for the office and aspects of being a county commissioner. My experience and education along with my pledge to be Crawford County’s first 40-hour a week, full-time county commissioner is why I believe I’m the best candidate for this office.
2. What, in your opinion, is the most pressing issue facing your office?
The most pressing issue facing the county is the budget and its current $6 to $7 million debt for road bonds. These bonds were approved by the county commissioners 7 to 12 years ago. Interest on these bonds is currently costing the county between $200,000 to $225,000 a year. In addition to this, the county made a bond payment of over $1.3 million this year, and will have to make a $1.4 million payment next year. If this isn’t bad enough, they will continue to make these kinds of bond payments until the year 2014. That is when the debt will be retired. The county must pay these bonds off, and quit operating on borrowed money. They need to start operating in the black instead of the red, especially now in these tough economic times, because no one knows how long they will last.
3. How do you intend, if elected, to address the county budget?
If elected, I plan to address the county budget in several different ways. First, because the vast majority of the county budget goes toward county payroll, this is where I would start. Commissioners must stop giving out raises of over 27 percent, and allowing department heads to give raises up to 22 percent. This kind of nonsense costs the taxpayers of Crawford County over $75,000 in the year 2008 alone. As a commissioner, I will put a stop to it. If department heads still give out huge raises, I will cut their budgets accordingly to make sure they stop this practice.
Secondly, the way in which raises are issued to county employees is flawed, and listed are the reasons why: An employee making $100,000 a year receives a 3 percent raise increasing their salary to $103,000. On the other hand, an employee making $30,000 a year and receiving the same raise increases their salary only $900. I propose giving all county employees the same raise. That which equeals the lower paid employee. By doing this, the higher paid employee still makes $70,000 more than the lower paid employee, but not a $3,000 raise compared to a $9000 raise. This is why the pay gap gets wider apart every year, and since 1998 this has cost the taxpayers extra money, now it is over $1 million extra per year. This practice has helped to get the county into its current financial trouble and it needs to be changed.
Thirdly, I would hire a county manager, a professional to oversee the county budget and day-to-day operations of the various county departments. Also, the county manager would pursue grant and stimulus money that its not currently being applied for. Last but certainly not least, a county manager would help the commissioners decide what programs could be eliminated or consolidated to save the county money. I know from hiring Frontenac’s first city administrator that the city grew well. Whether I’m elected or not, I am convinced that a county manager would in time do the same for Crawford County. I believe the taxpayers deserve the very best we can offer them, and a county manager along with three hard working commissioners is the answer.
