Unlike national and state elections, which have extensive campaign funds and depend on party affiliation and position papers on controversial issues, few such criterions are used for local elections. Instead, candidates tend to rely on the public's familiarity with them and respect for them to be an honest, responsible and enthusiastic public servant. The April 3 primary boasts four candidates for City Commission and six candidates for school board. Those vying to fill three expiring City Commission seats include incumbents Richard Jackson and Rocky Fleer, as well as challengers Mike Detwiler and Deborah Henningsen. Commissioner Blaine Finch is not seeking a second term, so he can attend law school at Washburn University.
City commissioners have a full plate of important issues to confront during the upcoming terms.
Upcoming issues include updating the comprehensive plan, constructing a new wastewater treatment plant, addressing housing and recreational shortages and assessing the impact of a new U.S.-59 route, among other matters. In the other race, incumbents Jeanette Lowry and Bill Allegre will compete against Caren Rugg, Marjorie Stevens, Teresia Templeton and Geoff Hanson for three open seats on the school board. Marcia Mitchell is not running after serving nine years on the board. School board members will once again have to face what to do with the old middle school, whether to purchase the former city hall building, plus curriculum, educators and student needs. The Herald will have election coverage including candidate profiles up through election day, but voters should augment that information with first-hand impressions of the respective candidates.