The League of Women Voters has gone to work to make sure a number of local election hopefuls get heard in front of Mexico.
A total of 11 candidates running for positions unopposed or otherwise …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
The League of Women Voters has gone to work to make sure a number of local election hopefuls get heard in front of Mexico.
A total of 11 candidates running for positions unopposed or otherwise are set to take the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Chamber of Commerce to share their views on the issues.
Statewide candidates did not receive the invitation for this particular forum, set days before the Tuesday primary.
The following are those who have been invited to attend the forum and the office they are running for:
“The number is unmanageable and realistically none of them are going to travel to Mexico the Thursday before the election,” the League’s Alice Leonatti, Voters Service Chairman for the Mexico Audrain County League of Women Voters, said about the statewide hopefuls. “So, we will include county offices, state rep and state senate candidates.
“None of them are opposed in the primary. Only the state senate seat will be contested in the November election.”
The candidates were asked two questions prior to the forum: 1. What are your qualifications and 2. What are the two major issues you see facing your office in the upcoming term?
A 200-word limit applied to all answers.
“The Forum is an opportunity for the candidates to share their qualifications and ideas with the public prior to the primary,” Leonatti said. “The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization. The Voter Service arm of the organization provides opportunities to Candidates to present their views to the public.
“This forum is one of these opportunities.”
The following are the responses to the two questions from the candidates that submitted answers prior to the July 22 deadline. The Senate seat will not be decided until November and will not be up in the primary.
TERESA ALLEN, Audrain County Recorder of Deeds
What are your qualifications for this position?
“My qualifications for the office of Recorder of Deeds are 17 years employment with Audrain County. The first 13 years, I worked in the County Clerk’s Office under the direction of Shelley Harvey. The past four years, I have worked in the Recorder of Deeds office, under the direction of Janis Deimeke. Working in the Recorder’s Office has given me the knowledge of the dynamics and the daily operations of the office. I record documents, prepare marriage licenses, complete month-end financial reports and assist customers. I understand the importance of accuracy in recording documents. I have attended training programs through our software, and I feel confident in my abilities in using them in the office. I believe I have the qualifications and experience needed to successfully administer the office of Recorder of Deeds.”
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“Two issues I would like to address in the office of Recorder of Deeds are establishing debit/credit card access and having available more documents online. We have back indexed documents from the present back to the early 1980s. I would like to see our documents available online even further. We are presently working with our software company to get this accomplished. Both of these issues, I feel, will better serve the citizens of Audrain County and our customers.”
KENT HADEN, 43rd District House Rep
What are your qualifications for this position?
“I am a lifelong resident of the 43rd district House of Representatives. I have served in this position for the last four years. My work experience included mixed-veterinary practice in Mexico. I worked for MFA Incorporated for 28 years as staff veterinarian and as vice president of livestock operations, which included feed division, contract swine and health track cattle program. I was a district veterinarian for the Missouri Department of Agriculture for 10 years and state epidemiologist for most of this time. This work experience has presented me the opportunity to work in professional, business and regulatory settings which is unique as a legislator. Currently, I serve on the following house committees: agriculture, conservation and natural resources, health and mental health, the joint Senate-House committee on agriculture and chair of the interim health care study committee. I have been recognized by the Missouri Veterinary Association as Legislator of the Year, Missouri Cattleman as Legislator of the Year and Missouri Farm Bureau as a friend of agriculture. Other awards and recognitions include American Feed Industry Association member of the year and the National Cattlemen's regional winner for innovation.”
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“Two issues at the top of my legislative priorities: our solar panel farm legislation and legislation reducing the cost of health care. Green energy has become a major issue in the 43rd district whether it be wind transmission lines from Kansas, solar farms or wind towers. These issues will have a major impact on our communities. Currently, there are 10,000 acres of prime farmland in the 43rd district under contract to lease or purchase for solar farms. Currently, Missouri law states these panels are exempt from personal tax, giving solar an advantage to all other forms of energy – this is in addition to federal subsidies. I am involved with legislation that passed and other legislation proposed in this area.
The cost of health care has no brakes. I am working on legislation to increase the number of doctors, nurses and other health care workers. This is very critical in our rural areas as shown by the loss of hospitals in Fulton and in Mexico.”
AMY K. LECOUNT, Audrain County Collector of Revenue
What are your qualifications for this position?
“I have grown up in Audrain county and have chosen to take on the role of the Audrain county collector of revenue to service my community. As a fourth-generation cattle farmer, I know that hard work and patience are the keys to my success. I have the drive to learn, and following high school, I attended William Jewell College and received a Bachelor of Arts in history, art history and entrepreneurial leadership. I have later attended William Woods University, where I received a Master of Business Administration, and I'm currently working to finish a Master of Organizational Leadership.
“I have worked under the leadership of our current Audrain County Collector of Revenue Kate Becker for the past six years. I have learned and grown under her guidance in this office to be able to provide the same dependable and reliable services that she provided. I have worked in customer service during my working career and have learned that treating individuals with honesty, kindness and being respectful goes a long way with the public.
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“The Collector Revenues Office is required to operate under the Missouri State statute. However, I would like to implement two changes to the office. As your next Audrain county collector of revenue, I would like to have the ability to print receipts from the collectors website and implement a quicker processing online payment. Providing the option of printing paid receipts from the website, would give customers access to obtain receipts as needed. A quicker processing online payment system would cut the waiting time for customers to receive payment approval and not have to wait the 24-hour time period to have their payment processed.
LESLIE A. MEYER, Audrain County Eastern District Commissioner
What are your qualifications for this position?
“Since my swearing in, I have immersed myself into the workings of the communities throughout the county; attended training through the Missouri Association of Counties, the County Commissioners Association of Missouri, and the National Counties Association on a variety of topics that can help Audrain County residents. I have slowly built upon my knowledge every day that I have stepped into the office and will continue to do so.
“My husband, three children, and myself farm in between Rush Hill and Benton City. Agriculture is essential to our county. My knowledge in agriculture as well as being the owner of a small business gives me a unique perspective to situations that arise in the county. As an ex-reporter, I know that communication is essential to the success of Audrain County. As a commissioner, I established a regular meeting between our community leaders to share resources and knowledge so that all our leaders, on a local and county level, can work together, collaboratively for Audrain County and its residents.”
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“Since I took office, it has become abundantly clear that our communities are suffering at the hands of overregulation, specifically on rural sewer systems. These regulations are causing communities to undergo unnecessary improvements to systems that are not only costly for the municipalities, but also our county’s residents. Families on a budget cannot sustain the rising costs these regulations will continue to add to monthly bills. As the commissioner, I have collaborated with my fellow commissioners, Representative Kent Haden and senatorial candidates to represent our municipalities on this issue.
“It is not a surprise that my second issue would be the closing of the hospital. While our options are limited as far as actions the commission can take due to the hospital being privately owned, the county commission has pledged to do everything we can to help our residents. These actions include holding meetings of county service providers, being a participant in community discussions regarding medical care and much more. We have also traveled to Jefferson City and met with leaders to uncover any and all avenues that might help the community. This is a complicated issue but one that we will continue to work on daily.”
PATTY MEYERS, County Treasurer
What are your qualifications for this position?
“I have held the position as Audrain County treasurer since 2007. I feel that my time working with Audrain County qualifies me for the position of treasurer. My career with Audrain county started by working in the county clerk’s office in 1999. It was working under the previous clerk, Shelly Harvey, that I learned about county government. Since being elected as treasurer, I feel that I have streamlined the office making day-to-day tasks less time consuming and monthly balancing quicker and easier.”
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“One of the things I would like to implement in the future is an electronic payment to the taxing entities. This will ensure that their payment is received quicker.
MEAGAN MILLER, Circuit Clerk
What are your qualifications for this position?
“I have worked for Penny Creed in the Circuit Clerk’s office for 15 years. I started as a COE student in high school and became full time after I graduated. While working for Penny, I went to college at MACC, then Columbia College and obtained my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Being in this office for 15 years has allowed me to be cross trained in many positions, and this is why I feel I am qualified to be the Audrain County Circuit Clerk.”
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“Penny has been the circuit clerk for many years. I believe the way Penny has run the office these past several years has gone extremely smooth. We work very closely with the judges, attorneys, Sheriff's Department and obtain a good working relationship. If we have any issues that need to be addressed, we speak to the judges directly and address any issues as they are presented to me, as we do not have any specific ones at this time.”
CINDY O’LAUGHLIN, State Senate seat
What are your qualifications for this position?
“Elected Senator in 2018. Currently Chair of the Education Committee. Small business owner of Leo O’Laughlin, Inc. a trucking and ready-mix concrete company.”
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“Two issues I will work on: Continue working to improve education; implementation of my bill SB 681 probably the single most comprehensive piece of legislation passed in the last decade. Addresses literacy and provides funding for schools to implement additional literacy improvement methods. Also imposes testing requirements to more accurately reflect student ability in literacy.
“The second issue would be to address family stability and children’s issues. Stable families and environments are critical for society to flourish. Far too many children are in the foster system, the children’s division is tasked with oversight/services for approximately 14,000 foster children. The average for most other states is 7,000. The system is stretched to the point of breaking and we must find a better way to support families in crisis and break the cycle of dependency.”
JACOB SHELLABARGER, Prosecuting Attorney of Audrain County
What are your qualifications for this position?
“I have served as Audrain County’s Prosecuting Attorney since July 1, 2009. I have prosecuted lawbreakers from traffic tickets to homicides, and everything in between. I’ve worked to expand community justice initiatives like treatment court for drug and alcohol dependent individuals, while keeping public safety in mind. I have secured lengthy sentences in serious crimes, protecting our most vulnerable victims from the most dangerous criminals. My goals are to deliver justice for all of Audrain County’s citizens while upholding Missouri law.
“My family and I love Audrain County, and that our home county is a safe, productive, family-friendly place to live and work. I’m proud to represent hard-working citizens and am committed to ensuring our justice system works fairly, responds appropriately, provides rehabilitation and meaningful punishment to those who hurt others or our community. I’m in touch with the community, actively involved with civic groups, agriculture, youth organizations and our church. I’ve worked to communicate with our youth, with citizens, and with defendants to make sure all involved understand our system and why we do what we do.”
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“My office will explore more ways to divert non-violent, first-time offenders from entering into the criminal justice system. For the most part, minor crimes like stealing and drugs, will result in a period of probation, where the Court ensures defendants make restitution for any damages, maintain a clean and sober lifestyle, and avoid use of drugs or alcohol, in addition to performing community service and/or a short time in jail. Working with defendants to make victims whole and ensure our community remains safe and productive are clear priorities, and if we can accomplish this without a criminal conviction, that may be the right result in some cases.
“My office is working together with numerous other government agencies – including Children’s Division, and the Juvenile Office, as well as Treatment Court - to provide resources and healing for individuals and families trapped in the cycle of addiction. Our community’s most vulnerable children are often exposed to a life cycle of addiction, and the sooner as a society we break the cycle, the better. Expanding these family-centered approaches can keep families and children safe, and that’s something else I plan to expand.”
AYANNA SHIVERS, State Senate seat
What are your qualifications for this position?
“The most important thing is something we don’t value enough: My family taught me to treat others with love and respect. As a school counselor and a pastor, I developed leadership and listening skills, enabling me to communicate and work with diverse groups. Finally, work with the Mexico City Council has prepared me to do the work by implementing what I learned from that listening to improve my community.
“But I know that the problems here are bigger than just Mexico; I’ve heard from all over northeastern Missouri that times are hard. I want to make sure that we are keeping hardworking Missourians front and center in our policies, not get tied down in partisan fighting. We need to remember that people are more important than politics. That simple idea qualifies me more than the current officeholder.”
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“I would like to highlight two very fundamental issues: education and broadband. Many of our legislators have little knowledge about what it takes to effectively run a school. Recent legislation has devalued the role of the teacher and made it very difficult for teachers to do their jobs. We need to support teachers because their pupils, our children, are our future. The first thing I want to do is ensure that our public schools and transportation budgets are fully funded. We must protect the teacher pension program. They have invested in and earned their pension; it is not fair to cut the program.
“My other main focus is statewide broadband. It is a key component to education, healthcare, independent farms and small business across Missouri. Moreover, it can be implemented quickly and would have a significant impact. High-speed broadband is a necessary utility and needs to be accessible in rural areas, not just metropolitan cities. This would increase the quality of life for everyone and bolster economic development across Missouri.”
LISA SMITH, County Clerk
What are your qualifications for this position?
“This will be my second term as county clerk and before that, I had worked in the County Clerk’s office for 17-and-a-half years. I have learned a lot in the last three-and-a-half years that I have been in the elected position, and I keep myself up to date and go to multiple trainings either in person or by zoom to be able to do the job to the best of my ability.
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“One thing that I have implemented this term is the electronic poll pads for each precinct to make it easier on the voters to sign in to vote. This is a big help as well to the election judges.
“I am in the process of purchasing new voting equipment. The voting equipment we have is 10 years old. The new equipment is similar to what we have now but with some upgrades. All equipment has been tested and approved by Homeland Security. This equipment will also be easier to handle for the election judges as the equipment we have now is very heavy.”
ALAN WINDERS, Presiding Commissioner
What are your qualifications for this position?
“Highlights of my qualifications for the position of Presiding Commissioner include experience, education and love of Audrain County. Public service at the local level has been my life’s work. In 2016, I was elected to serve on the Audrain County Commission. Prior to that, I spent slightly over 30 years in city government including about 15 years as City Administrator in Vandalia. Growing up on a small farm in Audrain, I was afforded many of my most valuable experiences and lessons. As Presiding Commissioner, I will continue to put that experience to work for the people of Audrain.
Identify two issues you would like to see addressed by your office if elected, during the upcoming term. How would you recommend these issues be addressed?
“We, the Commission, local government, the business community, residents and local leaders must work hard to maintain our rural quality of life in Audrain County. Our priorities and actions must be considered with that goal, first and foremost. This is true whether we are maintaining infrastructure, promoting agricultural products diversity, guarding landowners’ property rights, promoting economic development, or any of the many other endeavors in which we are involved. Maintaining and improving our rural quality of life in Audrain County will continue to be my top priority as Presiding Commissioner.
“Health care in Audrain is an issue. We need a hospital. Even though there are complicated issues and many moving parts, I will continue to work with partners, public and private, to improve and strengthen healthcare for our residents. A hospital is so important for our health, our economy and our safety that it must be a major point of focus for the county. The county does not own or operate the hospital. However, there may be things we can do to help ensure that we get a hospital re-opened here. This will continue to be a top priority for me.”
