Ark Valley News - Election hopefuls answer questions

Election hopefuls answer questions
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: April 02, 2015

In their only public forum before the April 7 election, candidates for Valley Center mayor and city council answered questions March 31 about annexation, budget cuts, business incentives and a community center.

Laurie Dove, a member of the city council, is facing Jaque Davis for the mayor's seat, which has been held by Mike McNown since 2006.

"As a small business owner, I think I bring a unique perspective to the city council and to the position of mayor," Dove said. "… I don't rush to judgment. I'm open to information from anyone, whether it's difficult to hear or not, and I look forward to answering any questions anyone might have."

Davis is an aide in the Valley Center school district. She had served on the city's planning commission.

"I think I have a record of service to the community," Davis said. "That's where my heart is — to serve the community. … I want to provide an arena in which to hear the concerns of the community and address them. And that's what my goal is."

In the Ward 1 race, Judith Leftoff is seeking re-election to a second term. She is facing challenger Dale Kerstetter, a chemist.

"I'm just finishing four years, but I'm learning," said Leftoff, a retired teacher. "That's what life is all about. I try very hard to represent people. … I think I can get along with just about everybody, and I am the Eastern aggressive woman type. I don't mind opening my mouth and sticking my foot in it if it represents the people. And I agree that raising taxes is a last resort."

Kerstetter said building the city's infrastructure is key to the city's future.

"I'm just a regular guy trying to make a little bit of a difference and improve the city, but not by increasing our taxes," he said. "I want that to be our absolute last resort. I will try to bring a fresh perspective to the city council and insert some common sense when needed."

Ward 1 is roughly the northwest part of the city.

In Ward 2, which is the northeast part of the city, Gina Gregory and Rick Shellenbarger will face each other in the election to replace Terry Ishman, who is not seeking to retain the seat.

"I like the city, and I would like to see it move forward," Gregory said. "… I would like to see the community involved and the government more transparent."

Shellenbarger, who also serves on the city's planning commission, was not at the forum.

Marci Maschino is seeking re-election to a third four-year term on the council, representing Ward 3, which is the southeast part of the city. She does not have a challenger.

Also seeking to retain a seat on the council is Ben Anderson in Ward 4. He is running unopposed.

The forum, which was hosted by The Ark Valley News, was at Valley Center City Hall. Several residents attended the event.

Candidates for Valley Center school board also attended the forum and were given the chance to introduce themselves. Incumbents Rhonda Price and Roger Joyal are seeking re-election, while Sara Osterman and Dawn Stiglitz are vying for their first term. There are four open seats on the board, so the four candidates will win election, barring anything unexpected.

Stiglitz was not at the forum.

There are other area races to be decided April 7.

In Park City, Mike Alumbaugh, the incumbent, will face challenger Jim Schroeder in Ward 1. Each of the other races has just one candidate — Chris Johns in Ward 2, George Capps in Ward 3 and Tom Jones in Ward 4.

In Kechi, three at-large city council seats will be decided. The four candidates are incumbents Brian Adams, Kevin Opat and David McConnaughhay and newcomer Michael Hoffman.

In Bel Aire, incumbent David Austin will face Andrew Uhlschmidt for mayor, and two at-large city council seats will be decided. The six candidates are incumbents Ken Lee and Betty Martine and newcomers Jeanette L. R. Clement, Michael Gordon, Jeff Oldenettel and Stephen Scholtz.

Advance vote centers will open April 2. The centers in north Sedgwick County include Bel Aire City Hall and First United Methodist Church in Valley Center. These sites will be open from noon to 7 p.m. April 2 and 3, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4.

Election Day is April 7.

Candidate Q&A

Valley Center mayor

Questions

1. Why are you running for office?

2. Describe the mayor's role in governing and the mayor's role in the community.

3. Describe the city's greatest strength and the city's greatest weakness. How can a mayor promote the city's strengths and improve its weaknesses?

4. Recently voters rejected a proposal to create a 1 percent sales tax dedicated to street improvements. The city has identified $8 million to $10 million worth of street improvements, which the city says need to be funded by 2022. How do you propose the city fund street improvements? And were you in support of the sales tax for street improvements?

Jaque Davis

Age: 54

Occupation: Aide to teachers and para to students

Political experience and community involvement: Ran for city council and state representative. Valley Center Leadership (1996), library board and president, Fall Festival volunteer, director and delivered meals at the Senior Center, planning commission and chairperson, volunteer at Pregnancy Crisis Center in Wichita, Christmas Kids volunteer.

1. I would like to implement new ideas for increasing revenue in town that are not taxing or annexing. We need to draw people in to spend their money. The new golf course is a great start.

2. The mayor is an ambassador for the community. She is also the one who brings a community together. We need to work together to relieve the tax burden on our citizens.

3. Our citizens are our strength. We have wonderfully hard-working and creative people who enjoy life. Weakness: Our state government. The state doesn't support our community like it should. Funding for improvements is now left up to the communities to find. Alternative ways of raising revenue is the best way to resolve what the state has taken away.

4. I was not in favor of the tax. I thought it would put our businesses at a disadvantage. People are tax weary as well. I would look into doing streets a little bit at a time and try raising revenue through other means besides taxes.

Laurie Dove

Age: 43

Occupation: President and owner, Dove Media Group Inc.

Political experience and community involvement: Member, Valley Center City Council; board member, Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO); member, Valley Center Community Center Committee; former candidate for Valley Center USD 262 school board; Education Committee member, Grace Hill Mennonite Church; classroom volunteer at Abilene Elementary; multiple award-winner, Kansas Press Association; former director, Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; Excellence in Health Reporting Award Winner, Kansas Health Foundation; Kansas Women of Distinction honoree, 2010; small business owner since 1999; former reporter, Wichita Business Journal; former communications specialist, Wichita public schools

1. I have a passion for Valley Center and a vision for its future. Since my election to city council two years ago, I have developed a comprehensive working knowledge of the needs and challenges in our community. I want to increase support of local businesses, improve public amenities and encourage commercial development. I have professional experience in strategic thinking, consensus building and organizational leadership. I care deeply about improving the quality of life for our current and future residents.

2. I intend to be a hands-on mayor who will shape the future of our community. From tackling the necessary and complicated issues of infrastructure finance to progressively leading public input on a new community center, as mayor I want to create a model community that will serve future generations. My style is collaborative, but I also have a proven ability to decisively move ideas and projects forward. After serving on city council for the past two years, I have in-depth knowledge of the issues in our community and want the opportunity to continue key projects as mayor.

3. One key strength is the master plan developed from citizen input that outlines several years of bridge and roadway improvements, as well as a network of pedestrian/bike paths that will connect our city. As mayor, I will advocate for this plan. One of the city's vulnerabilities is the price of water purchased from Wichita. The cost of this water continues to rise. I would like to address this as mayor. There are solutions to explore, including the rehabilitation of Valley Center's water well system. This could potentially save money and protect Valley Center's water rights in the future.

4. Many of our roadway, bridge and pedestrian/bike projects could receive 80 percent of their funding by federal dollars through the Wichita Metropolitan Planning Organization (WAMPO). For the past two years, I have been a WAMPO board member, advocating for matching funds to complete street improvements in our city. In addition, I will focus on commercial development as mayor, adding to our tax base and the ability to fund street improvements. I supported putting the sales tax proposal on the ballot to allow citizens to vote on the matter.

Valley Center City Council

Questions

1. Why are you running for office?

2. What is one area of the city's annual budget you would enhance? What is one area that could be cut? Describe the city's biggest need.

3. Faced with slow property valuation growth and increasing operating costs, the city council each year has toyed with small property tax increases. Would you be in favor of increasing property taxes? Why or why not? If not, do you see other options in maintaining services?

4. Recently voters rejected a proposal to create a 1 percent sales tax dedicated to street improvements. The city has identified $8 million to $10 million worth of street improvements, which the city says need to be funded by 2022. How do you propose the city fund street improvements? And were you in support of the sales tax for street improvements?

Ward 1 candidates

Dale Kerstetter

Age: 35

Occupation: Chemist

Political experience: none

1. To add a fresh perspective to the city council.

2. I believe the city's biggest need is infrastructure. This will help attract more people to the area by improving the perception of roads and other infrastructure needs (this includes other needs that are not seen such as water pipes). If people come down Fifth and see the roads in the condition that they are in, they may be less likely to move to the area, whether it be business developers/owners or home buyers.

3. I believe increasing property taxes (or any taxes) should be the last resort.

4. I would propose, for example, putting the Community Center on hold in order to fund the needed road projects. Then potentially bring back the Community Center project when there are not more pressing issues/needs for the city.

Judith Leftoff

Age: Left blank

Occupation: Retired teacher of 33 years.

Political experience: Valley Center City Council member for four years.

1. To better Valley Center with lower taxes, encouraging businesses and builders.

2. Paying down bonds; not increasing taxes. Need: Better drainage, better roads, new development abatements.

3. No property tax increases. Volunteerism and more new homes.

4. I represent District 1. There are families with children and grandchildren sharing the same roof due to lack of jobs and low-salary jobs. The voters also do not trust a 1 percent sale tax that would be "dedicated to street improvements." The voters see park sprinklers when they cannot afford those systems for their own lawns. The voters ask why does Valley Center spend money on trees, grass and sprinklers then do not have dollars left to fix our streets, especially Meridian.

Ward 2 candidates

Gina Gregory

Age: Left blank

Occupation: Retired

Political experience and community involvement: Co-chair of Community Betterment in Moberly, Mo. (1972-76); clerk of USD 262 Board of Education (1992-2007).

1. I became interested in community governance when I served as co-chair of Community Betterment in Moberly. I have time to devote to studying and finding solutions to local issues.

2. I was sorry to lose our local dispatch. I do, however, understand the extravagance of duplicating services. Common sense should be our guiding principle.

3. I support fair and equitable taxes. I think we need to determine the direction for Valley Center. We want to pursue retail, manufacturing and residential growth. This would be the basis for any future taxation changes. Perhaps more inter-agency cooperation would alleviate some pressures.

•I'm still learning the options regarding funding street maintenance, repairs and improvements. I did not support the sales tax because it put an unfair burden on our local merchants. If local merchants tell me it's not a problem, then I would certainly reconsider the possibility.

Rick Shellenbarger

Age: 51

Occupation: Emergency Manager

Political experience and community involvement: Past and present: Valley Center Vietnam Moving Wall committee member, annual Fall Festival community booth, Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns commissioner, Wichita-Sedgwick County Access Advisory Board member, Valley Center Planning and Zoning commissioner, Independent Living Resource Center board member, Wichita Visioneering member, Big Brothers and Big Sisters big brother, Wichita Pug Rescue member, and the Cub Scouts (Pack 404) adult leader.

1. I have lived in Sedgwick County since 1993 after leaving the U.S. Air Force and moved to Valley Center in July 2007 after getting married to raise our children in a hometown environment with an excellent school system. However, there are areas for improvement and reassessment to include our taxes, solid waste, continued drainage issues, library, recreation and senior center, road conditions, and overall appearance to name a few that need addressed for our hometown community living.

2. The city's annual budget appears to reflect the areas needing to be budgeted for. However, the emphasis on areas needing improvements is dependent on the needs of the individuals. An example is we have been working on improving the parks and recreation area. However, the extent of our development surpasses other serious city needs. We want Valley Center to grow and our taxes to go down but our appeal to the public and prospective businesses diminishes because of the lack of improvements. Marketing the city is one way to help show others what we have and help on job creation.

3. Regarding sales taxes, and based on our current growth I would recommend against any kind of tax increases. We need to have an assessment of our taxes against others in the area to ensure they are kept low to promote residential and business growth. As we continue to progress in improving Valley Center's quality of living and visual appeal our growth should start to increase and help offset the needed revenue to realize further improvements and maintaining and expand services.

4. Street improvements are one of the more difficult areas to manage since it rarely can be completed in its entirety in a short period of time and is constantly changing based on the types, amount of traffic, environmental conditions and treatments. Apart from local funding, and state/federal grant projects, a special funding could be created to charge companies with vehicles five tons or greater a monthly surcharge to help offset future road maintenance.