Bauer talks ambulance
The ambulance situation in Allen County is voters’ biggest concern, said Don Bauer, Republican candidate for county commission District 3.
He is opposed by Jim Talkington for the seat being vacated by first-term incumbent Gary McIntosh.
“That’s what I hear most about,” said Bauer.
“I think it ought to be kept in the city (Iola) on a cooperative basis,” Bauer said. “I think we could have one ambulance in Iola, one for the rest of the county and one held reserve. That way we could cut down the number (of county ambulances) by one and save money.”
His plan also would eliminate ambulances now operated by the city.
“I’d like to see ambulances operated out of the (Iola) fire station,” he added. “I always thought the Iola firefighters did a good job. That’s the way it was done for years and it worked well.”
Bauer noted his wife Donna worked at Allen County Hospital for 40 years and “I never heard any complaints about ambulances.”
During his campaign, he has heard concerns about “people having to wait on ambulances,” which he thinks may result from dispatchers having to decide which service to call.
“It would be better just to dispatch one ambulance and have it go load up the patient,” he said.
Bauer had no specific thoughts on the county budget, other than “I know we have to spend enough to keep moving forward,” although, “I think we could cut down in some areas.”
District 3 contains the north, west and south sides of Iola — wards 1, 2 and 3 — and South Iola Township.
Talkington eyes services
Jim Talkington agrees that ambulance service is foremost in voters’ minds. Talkington is running against Don Bauer for county commission.
“People are wondering if it will go back to one service and if it does, where it will be located — at the Iola Fire Department, the new hospital or somewhere in the county,” Talkington said.
Voters are excited about a new Allen County Hospital, Talkington said, “and the business opportunities it may bring to the area.”
“They’re also wondering whether a Veterans Affairs clinic is going to locate in Iola,” he said. “I don’t know anymore than they do, but it’s something I need to find out about.”
Talkington said he’s kept up a presence at the Allen County Fair this past week, but otherwise had done no campaigning to speak of, including no advertising or campaign signs put about the area.
Sifers supports tax cuts
The Affordable Care Act, referred to as Obamacare, even though a national issue, and taxes are the two issues that have surfaced most often, said Bud Sifers, one of three candidates for the Kansas House District 9 seat.
“Obamacare is a big thing for seniors,” Sifers said. “No one seems to have a clear understanding of it, and people are scared. Really, they’re sacred of all government.”
Taxes also are mentioned often, he said.
“Once you explain the governor’s plan that cutting taxes will help the economy, people warm up to it,” Sifers said.
As for education, many people, and especially those with children, have told Sifers they don’t want funding cut, “and I don’t want it cut either,” he said. “I just think too many dollars in education don’t reach the classroom.
“I wouldn’t vote to raise taxes while the economy is struggling, I think that would be disastrous. But when prosperity returns I would be for raising taxes for education.”
In the meantime, “we need to find money for education elsewhere,” he said.
Sifers said he had been criticized by opponents for supporting Ray Merrick, Johnson County representative, for speaker of the House.
“He’s one of the most conservative in the House and if he doesn’t get it, Arlen Siegfried, also from Johnson County, will,” Sifers said, voting strength of metropolitan counties ensures that whomever is elected speaker will come from Johnson County.
Sifers’ opponents for the GOP nomination for the District 9 seat are Judy Brigham, Iola, and Ed Bideau, Chanute. No Democrat filed, meaning the seat will be decided in Tuesday’s primary election.
On the trail
Most people are concerned about education and how it is to be funded, said Judy Brigham, candidate for the 9th District House of Representatives.
Brigham gains her perspective from beating the campaign trail primarily in Iola, Humboldt and Chanute.
“I’ve come to realize how many people are involved in education through either their jobs or their children,” she said. “Not only is it a big economic engine for the area, but just about everyone is affected by how good our schools are. People are concerned the schools be able to maintain their reputations of providing a good education. That’s been a real consistent message from Iola to Humboldt to Chanute.”
The economy comes in a distant second, Brigham said, from conversations with voters.
Gun rights?
“Not even on the map,” she said.
Brigham has been a fixture at the Allen County Fair and otherwise pounding the sidewalks in Chanute, Humboldt and Iola.
“Chanute’s been tough,” Brigham conceded of her opponent’s, Ed Bideau, home turf. Her other opponent, Bud Sifers, is also of Iola.
Still, Brigham said, the campaign “has been an enjoyable experience. I’ve had the opportunity to talk with a lot of people whom I may not otherwise have been able to meet. It’s been heartwarming to hear their concerns. It makes me glad I’m from southeast Kansas.”
A first-time campaigner, Brigham said the experience has taught her “to really listen.
“I think early in the campaign I found myself not really concentrating on people’s concerns, but rather what my reply would be. That’s not listening. I’ve since learned to slow down, take to heart their concerns, and then take the time to give a heartfelt reply,” she said.
Francis prepares for final push
With the primary election just around the corner, county commission incumbent Rob Francis is doing everything he can to finish the primary season strong.
“I’ve been busy,” Francis said. “I’ve managed to visit every home in the district at least once so I think everyone knows where I stand on things.”
The issue of ambulance service, which Francis ran on in his first campaign, is one that Francis hasn’t had to talk as much about. Francis thinks part of that is due to a process already in place that is exploring the issue.
“We’re just waiting to find out what is going to come of the report that is coming down from the state. People feel more at ease because they know between the committee that’s been appointed and the report, we’ll hopefully have some answers on that soon.”
As for the rest of the campaign, Francis plans on not letting up.
“I’m planning on doing everything I can to make sure people know me and what I stand for,” Francis said. “Less than a week and there’s still plenty to do.”
Froggatte predicts a tight race
Jared Froggatte is continuing his push to let voters know where he stands on what he thinks are pressing issues in the Allen County Sheriff’s race.
“It’s been a good run,” Froggatte said. “I’ve managed to get around to most parts of the county and talk to a lot of different people. They’ve also come and talked to me which has been great to get some feedback and ideas.”
While Froggatte isn’t surprised by the discussion on the issues of drugs and theft in the county, the issue of budget, which is a key plank in his platform, hasn’t been as much of a hot-button topic as he thought it would be.
“The budget is a really important thing in this race,” Froggatte said. “We need to cut the fat from the budget.”
Froggatte contends the Allen County jail, in particular, is where more money can saved.
“We need to rein in the jail here in terms of spending,” Froggatte said. “I think it’s a place where we can save money by cutting back on some things and then also bringing in short-term sentence inmates to help offset some of our costs.”
Froggatte thinks he is the only one really focusing on the budget right now because his opponent, Bryan Murphy, who currently serves as undersheriff, doesn’t want to criticize budget policies that he has in part been responsible for instituting.
“I think Bryan is a professional, but I also think he doesn’t want to critize [current Allen County Sheriff] Tom Williams,” Froggatte said.
With just a few days left until Tuesday’s election, Froggatte vows to continue to campaign vigorously. He thinks the race will end up being a tight one.
“I think both myself and Bryan Murphy are qualified, so it’s going to be a close,” Froggatte said. “Hopefully things will go my way.”
Murphy campaign going strong
Bryan Murphy, who is running for sheriff, seems to be well on his way to election day.
He has had a booth set up at the Allen County Fair for the past week handing out personalized products suggesting to people to “vote Murphy.”
In previous weeks Murphy has been “knocking on doors, putting up signs, meeting people, I was even at the Melvin Run talking to people that night,” he said.
He has been doing “anything (he) can do,” according to Murphy, to get his name out to the community.
Murphy, Allen County undersheriff, has encountered positive reinforcement from the community, he said.
Narcotics are still a high priority for Murphy and reassures, if elected, he will continue to fight narcotics in the community.
Aug. 7, Murphy will know for sure the status of his position, but until then he will keep getting the word out about his candidacy.
Williams depends on the people
Tom Williams knows his straightforward attitude can be overwhelming for some people.
Williams, Allen County Sheriff, and in the race for county commissioner against Rob Francis, has heard mixed reviews from citizens about his race for commissioner.
“A lot of people have come up to me and said they are glad I am running,” he said. “On the same token, I have had people say they are not so glad.”
However, in Williams’ line of work he has to be tough-skinned and comments like that do not bother him, he said.
He is aware of the community’s concerns and hopes to become commissioner to help alleviate some of the stress.
“People are concerned about the overall climate, and that is understandable,” he said. “If I become commissioner I will try to be as cost-effective and budget-minded as possible.”
Williams has always felt humbled whenever anyone has ever voted for him in the past and would be humbled again if people voted for him in this race, he said.
“I just depend on people to make good choices,” Williams said.