C18 Sunday, July 15, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal
2018 PRIMARY VOTERS GUIDE REPUBLICAN
SHAWNEE COUNTY COMMISSION — 1ST DISTRICT: JEFFREY COEN What makes you the best candidate for this job? I’m not a politician, I am a small business owner and I’m always looking through that lens. When I ran for City Council, I heard many complaints about the streets. After being elected, one thing I found discouraging was that street projects take 3 years to complete. The first year is the planning stage, the second year is to move the utilities and gain the right of way and the last year is construction. I figured the only way to start improving our streets and to make a difference was to ask our city manager to find more money for streets from within our current budget. The city manager came through and we were able to secure $2 Million in new street funding in 2017 without raising taxes. The new $2 Million also remains in the 2018 budget that we are discussing right now. I haven’t been afraid to say ‘no’ to wasteful City Government spending and government overreach. I think the fireworks ban is bad for business and not very patriotic, and the tobacco ban is infringing on our civil liberties. I have been a lone voice that our economic development partner G.O. Topeka shouldn’t be rolling over $17.5 Million dollars. Rolling over 3 years’ worth of their annual budget is not what the tax payers voted for with the countywide sales tax. That money was set aside for Economic Development and should be working in our communities, not gaining interest. What’s the most common thing you hear from people as you’re out campaigning? The most common thing I’m hearing right now over and over is that spending $45 Million to renovate the Kansas Expocentre is a complete waste of taxpayer money. Now that the current designs are coming in $5 Million over budget, that is a big concern to those I’ve talked to. They wish projects could be more like the Willard Bridge, ahead of schedule and under budget. Many people also expressed frustration with the brand new Shunga sidewalk segment that was torn up
at the Wheatfield Village construction site. There were a variety of negative comments. I am also hearing that community pride may be turning a corner for the better. People are excited about the positive changes happening in our communities. Violent crime is also a growing concern. This position is partisan. Should it be? And how would the partisan nature of the position impact your role as a commissioner? As a City Councilman, I have always tried to make the best decisions for my District and the City based on the information available. These decisions have little to do with politics, but has everything to do with creating and building momentum for Shawnee County and Topeka to move our communities forward. What do you consider to be the most important part of a county commissioner’s job? I believe the most important part of a County Commissioner’s job is to listen to those they represent. After earmarking $3 million of $6 million in available excess revenue to go for parks and recreation purposes, county commissioners recently have been discussing how to use the remaining $3 million. What do you think? In my 3 short years of public service I am still learning about how taxes are collected and spent. But when the term “excess funds” is used, it makes me wonder if we’re collecting too much money to run the county. Spending excess funds happens at the City level, too, and I just do not agree with why we must spend the excess revenue instead of returning it to the tax payers with lowering their taxes. We are taxed out! I have attended many commission meetings since last October and heard that technology upgrades are needed at the courtrooms. Perhaps those access funds could go to that.
If you could make one change to Shawnee County laws/ordinances, what would it be? I wasn’t happy with the new county law banning Tobacco purchases by those under 21. I’m not going to argue that using tobacco is bad for your health. I wish people wouldn’t do it. However, tobacco is currently legal to purchase nationwide for those over 18. This Shawnee County law limits personal liberties and will probably wind up in court just like the city’s tobacco ban did. We shouldn’t be going down this road, we should be encouraging all businesses to grow and flourish in our communities. What’s your stance regarding whether the county should buy the property that formerly housed Camp Daisy Hindman? The last story I read said that Camp Daisy was losing $200 Thousand dollars per year. No business can sustain annual losses like that. I do not believe that government ownership is the best solution. A private investor (or possibly a church) could step up and purchase the property and turn it around like a private investor did for Heartland Park. What does this community need to do from an economic development standpoint that it’s not doing already? I would like to see us focus more on helping new and existing small businesses by increasing the budget for the Entrepreneurial and Minority Business Development program. They offer matching funds for capital expenses, building improvements and marketing dollars to small businesses in Shawnee County. This could help with buying and upgrading equipment and making improvements to their store front, exactly a shot in the arm that small businesses could use. Do you have any potential “skeletons in your closet” you’d like to address? I bought my first sport bike motorcycle in the early 1990’s and got 3 speeding tickets in the
JEFFREY COEN
Town of residence: Topeka Party affiliation: Republican Age: 47 Job: Owner of The C-Team Studios, a website, videography and graphic design firm; does general IT service, networking and support Prior elected offices: Topeka City Council, 2015-present same month. What’s your favorite thing about Shawnee County? Our way of life is pretty good here in Shawnee County. I got caught in rush hour traffic in KC recently, and realized that the congestion we’re seeing at 29th and Fairlawn seems pretty minor compared to bigger cities. Something else I like about Shawnee County is there is always something to do. It’s a great place to raise a family and to call HOME!!
REPUBLICAN
SHAWNEE COUNTY COMMISSION — 1ST DISTRICT: CAROL MARPLE What makes you the best candidate for this job? I have the time to devote to this job. I have county experience. I own property in the city and have spent learns learning about JEDO (Joint Economic Development Organization). I believe being a county commissioner is actually three full-time jobs: county commissioner, voting member of JEDO, and oversight of the Parks and Recreation Department. What's the most common thing you hear from people when you are out campaigning? I have heard repeatedly, "No one listens to me. They are going to do whatever they want to do anyway." I want to change that. I will listen. I believe every citizen in this county should be treated with courtesy and respect. We all have a right to be heard. This position is partisan. Should it be? And how would the partisan nature of the position impact your role as a commissioner? The position should not be partisan. To me, being a county commissioner means doing what is best for our county and the people living in it. I believe everyone should be treated equally and fairly regardless of party affiliation. What do you consider to be the most important part of a county commissioner's job? I believe it is listening to the public, doing research, attending meetings and making informed decisions.
After earmarking $3 million of $6 million in available excess revenue to go for parks and recreation purposes, county commissioners recently have been discussing how to use the remaining $3 million. What do you think? Commissioner Cook reminded everyone at the June 18, 2018 commission meeting that the remaining $3 million can only be used for deferred maintenance at the Expocentre or in the Parks and Recreation Department. I do not believe these $3 million should be used at the Expocentre. When voters voted to extend the half cent sales tax, $45 million was voted for the Expocentre. That should be enough. This money needs to be used to perform maintenance that has been deferred and make necessary repairs to our parks.
Hindman. I believe Camp Daisy is the best kept secret in Shawnee County. This camp consists of 155 acres and the camp is in excellent condition. It would present the residents of Shawnee County with a unique experience. The ways in which the camp can be used are endless. Most importantly, owning the camp would give the people in southwest Shawnee County a camp, playground, fishing, and a splash park in their area.
If you could make one change to Shawnee County laws/ordinances, what would it be? I would change the number of county commissioners to five commissioners. I believe this would provide better representation of the public. The commissioners should be able to discuss issues among themselves. At the present time the three commissioners are unable to do this because of the Open Meetings Act.
Do you have any potential "skeletons in your closet" you'd like to address? No.
What's your stance regarding whether the county should buy the property that formerly housed Camp Daisy Hindman? I would have pursued purchasing Camp Daisy
What does this community need to do from an economic development standpoint that it's not doing already? We need to start with redefining the meaning of economic development.
What's your favorite thing about Shawnee County? That would be the people who live here. Ben and I have been blessed to have many, many good friends. Shawnee County is made up of very caring people. We have a granddaughter with a severe congenital heart defect, and we will never be able to repay the help, prayers and kindness that have been given to our family.
CAROL MARPLE
Town of residence: Wakarusa Party affiliation: Republican Age: 64 Job: Co-owner of family farm and shareholder in Auburn Investment Group, which owns apartments in Auburn Prior elected offices: None
REPUBLICAN
SHAWNEE COUNTY COMMISSION — 1ST DISTRICT: BILL RIPHAHN What makes you the best candidate for this job? I believe that I am the only candidate who could bring a voice of experience in planning, development, and project management to the board of commissioners. With the current members bringing valuable backgrounds in accounting and law, I feel that there is beneficial insight to be added through someone who has experience working with developers, engineers, architects, planners, and contractors. Beyond that, with an education and history founded on design, I see one of my strengths as being a person of vision. Whether for hikers wanting trails, kids wanting skate parks, veterans wanting a memorial, or neighborhoods wanting input into their park plans, for over thirty years, I have been in collaboration with the people of Shawnee County. Another unique perspective that I bring is that of one who has worked within the city and county governments for the length of my career. I know first hand the effects of the “beast of bureaucracy” and have an in-depth understanding of how it causes our government entities to work with limited EFFICIENCY and VISION. I want to battle that beast! What is the most common thing you hear from people as you are out campaigning? I hear concerns for the level of property taxes and the perceived lack of economic growth. This position is partisan. Should it be? And how would the partisan nature of the position impact your role as a commissioner? For some voters, knowing a candidate’s political background provides beneficial insight as to that candidate’s core values and approach to governing. On the other hand, at the level of county commissioner, voters are more likely to have had first-hand experience or knowledge of the candidate and his/her content of character and are thus able to make their decision outside of the realm of political parties. I would say that I am fine with the present system. As
a commissioner, I would be representing constituents of the first district.......of all political parties. My loyalties would lie with doing the right thing on behalf of those constituents. What do you consider to be the most important part of a county commissioner’s job? I don’t believe that there is one part of the county commissioner’s job that is more important than the others. The job of the county commissioner is to oversee the usage of tax dollars in maintaining and improving the quality of life in our county. Within that, budget, health and safety, infrastructure, long-term planning and vision come to mind. The most important thing is to look collectively at all the responsibilities and find a strong balance in meeting needs. After earmarking $3 million of $6 million in available excess revenue to go for parks and recreation purposes, county commissioners recently have been discussing how to use the remaining $3 million. What do you think? I am an advocate for a 5-year county-wide Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Such would address infrastructure, equipment purchases, roadways, public health and safety, and quality of life investments. If Shawnee County had a CIP, making a well-thought-out investment decision that includes long-term vision would be more probable. If you could make one change to Shawnee County laws/ordinances, what would it be? Whereas laws and ordinances are concerned, my general philosophy is to beware of our human tendency to make so many rules that we take away our freedom to use common sense. At this point, I do not have specific laws and ordinances that I would target for change. My intent would be open-mindedness in listening to and addressing any related concerns of my constituents.
What is your stance regarding whether the county should buy the property that formerly housed Camp Daisy Hindman? After doing a site visit, it appears to have some possibilities for future use as park land. Back in 1899, the city commissioners were given a similar opportunity when Mr. Gulford Gage wanted to give land to the City of Topeka for the establishment of a park. At that time, the park was two and a half miles out in the country. Many residents were opposed to this acquisition because it was so far out of town. Gage Park is now one of our two regional parks with Shawnee Lake being the other. At Topeka’s current rate of growth, in a few years, Gage Park will be the center of town. In observing the development of Shawnee County, Camp Daisy Hindman could be a future regional park. I believe that such future potential should be taken into consideration. What does this community need to do from an economic development standpoint that it is not doing already? Shawnee County has land, water, connections to interstate, and schools for the provision of high tech training. We need to develop and improve quality of life resources. Our goal is not just to attract businesses; Shawnee County needs to be an attractive place for people to live. Such efforts will go a long way toward the retention of a talented work-force. Do you have any potential “skeletons in your closet” you would like to address? No. What is your favorite thing about Shawnee County? I will never stop being amazed and grateful for the mentality of generosity of the people of Shawnee County. At every turn in my career, I have found myself surrounded by those who go above and beyond for the sake of having a positive impact. With Keep America Beautiful, I’ve seen
BILL RIPHAHN
Town of residence: Topeka Party affiliation: Republican Age: 62 Job: Landscape architect working for city of Topeka and Shawnee County in the planning and development of parks Prior elected offices: None
the legions show up on a given Saturday morning to clean our parks and green spaces. On many Sundays, there are those veterans who volunteer to work at the Gage Park Memorial putting out 20 flags and then holding brick placement ceremonies for families who come to honor the service of their loved ones. Old Prairie Town swarms with hundreds of volunteers for Apple Festival. After the death of my daughter, my wife and I were overwhelmed by the mass of people, some we knew and some we didn’t, who worked along-side the local water garden club to build a beautiful garden at Ward Meade Park in honor of our Anna. The list could go on; suffice it to say that Shawnee County is made great by the quality of its citizenry.