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County’s first candidate files for seat

By Caroline Trowbridge - | Mar 3, 2004

The woman whose office is in charge of elections in Leavenworth County on Friday became the first candidate to toss her hat in the ring for the November election.

Linda Scheer, 56, a Republican, is seeking her fourth four-year term as Leavenworth County clerk.

“I do enjoy it,” said Scheer, who began work in the clerk’s office as a clerk-typist in 1980. “I enjoy the variety it has. I enjoy the bookkeeping portion of it, working with the budgets, day-to-day with the county treasurer’s office with receipts and disbursements.”

And while many people think a county clerk’s office only handles elections, Scheer said that’s far from the case.

“I think a lot of people think when we don’t have elections, we don’t have anything to do,” she said. “In fact, it’s just the opposite. We’re busy all of the time, and then we have the elections thrown on top of that.”

¢ Filing deadline: Noon, June 10.

¢ Primary election: Aug. 3.

¢ General election: Nov. 2.

Scheer credits her six-member staff for their work.

“That’s what makes it comfortable for me that I’m going to run again,” she said. “It really, really is. I’ve got long-term people who I don’t have to watch over them daily. They know their jobs and they do their jobs.”

So far, Scheer is the only county official to file for office. The deadline is noon June 10. A primary election, if necessary, will be conducted on Aug. 3, and the general election will be Nov. 2

The two county commission seats up for election will be filled by newcomers. Joe Daniels Jr., who represents the southern portion of the county in the Third District, will not seek a second term. And Bob Adams, who represents Leavenworth and other portions of the county, will not run again, because of health reasons. Adams suffers from emphysema.

Tonganoxie developer Dean Oroke, who served as a county commissioner from 1985 to 1989, is contemplating a run for the Third District seat. He said Tuesday that he hopes to decide in another 30 to 45 days.

And the county’s top cop is planning to leave office. Sheriff Herb Nye will not run again. Nye, who has served 12 years as sheriff, said he will support an as-yet undeclared candidate: Undersheriff Dave Zoellner.

Another potential candidate for the sheriff’s job, Gene Tomrell, said he hopes to file by the first of April. He’s currently collecting signatures on a petition. Tomrell retired from the Leavenworth Police Department in March 2002, after serving 29 years.

“I just can’t seem to get law enforcement out of my system,” said Tomrell, who also has taught drivers education for 32 years.

Two other incumbents — Treasurer Janice Young and County Attorney Frank Kohl — said Tuesday that they will seek re-election. Young said she’ll file next Tuesday, her 22nd anniversary with the treasurer’s office. She became treasurer in 1998. Kohl said he’s unsure when he’ll officially file. Stacy Driscoll, register of deeds, was unavailable.