TonganoxieMirror.com

Beverly "Bev" Oroke

Good Afternoon. Let just say I care deeply about my community and our County and would like to represent the 3rd District as your Commissioner. My main focus is to accomplish this by being fair, responsible and professional about conducting business. I'm for controlling taxes and cutting where necessary to accomplish this task. "My moto is "spend tax dollars wisely". I would like to see improved Communications with the County as well as the Cities within our county to reach common goals. I want to promote Economic Development and create jobs for our residents. I want to ensure we have Short and Long Term Master Plans in place to help with the expected growth of our County. I have over 40 years experience in the business world managing budgets, personnel and interfacing with professionals and associates. I'm not afraid to roll up my sleeves to get the work done. I was instrumental in developing a company from the ground up to a now 200 Million dollar company. We need a Commission with Leadership that can make tough decision and yet be understanding to our residents. My goal is to create an atmosphere to promote harmony, operate the County as a business. I ask for your vote on August 5th!

• July 23, 2008at 1:06 p.m.

Beverly "Bev" Oroke

Just like everyone else the County will have to watch the budget. Departments will be forced to cut their budgets in other areas to reallocate funds for fuel. Essentially, you can't spend more than you take in. Or we may have to reduce services without risking essential needs to stay within the budget. Fuel prices I don't believe will decrease so we need to make adjustments to cover these expenditures.

• July 23, 2008at 1:16 p.m.

Beverly "Bev" Oroke

We need to promote bringing businesses into the County now in the areas where they can be supported. Normally, any large business needs a good water source and Wastewater Treatment facilities. The South end of the County is lacking in this area to provide these services. Therefore, we need to have a Master Plan in place to address Water Resources and Wastewater Treatment at this time. There has been some studies done on the Wolfe Creek and Stranger Creek basins for WW treatment possibilities. If we address these issues these issues we can create a Comprehensive Development plan with appropriate planned growth. In turn, these will create Economic Development and create jobs!

• July 23, 2008at 1:28 p.m.

Beverly "Bev" Oroke

The County Road 1 project has been approved and is progressing with in improvements . Having a Short Term and Long Term Master Plan in place will ensure that development requirements are addressed, such as roads, water sources and wastewater treatment. Developers will be treated equally and will be required to follow the requirements of the Master Plan and regulations as set force by the governing body. We need to plan our future now and for the next 20 years.

• July 23, 2008at 1:36 p.m.

Beverly "Bev" Oroke

If you are asking that local businesses be given priority over outside sources for required services, I would be open to consider that, if this is possible. The business would need to demonstrate their professional record of outstanding performance and the ability to perform in the job." However, as a Government body we must closely evaluate all costs and the ability to perform in the best interest of the taxpayer! All information would be taken into consideration when evaluating such a policy.

• July 23, 2008at 1:47 p.m.

Beverly "Bev" Oroke

My initial thought would be that this would something to consider; however, it has also been my observation that very few people from the Lansing and Leavenworth areas take the time to attend the meetings at the Court House now. I believe the County has had some evening meetings but attendance has been minimal. I do believe in promoting quarterly meetings in the Basehor or Tonganoxie areas to inform the public of the plans and future plans of the County. This would allow the public to be better informed on the issues. I would envision this as more of a presentation as well as gather information from the residents.

Thank you all for your questions today. I offer my commitment to represent the people and spend the necessary time to operate the County in an efficient and professional manner. Just as our State and Nation needs dynamic leadership in this changing world so does our County. We are the so called grass roots of our nation. I pledge to provide my time, experience and knowledge to support that endeavor.

• July 23, 2008at 2:05 p.m.