The forum, sponsored by the Leavenworth-Lansing Chamber of Commerce, featured candidates for the Kansas House and Senate, as well as Leavenworth County Commission. The primary election is next Tuesday. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Taxes, education and pay for prison workers were a consistent theme among office-seekers at the state level.

Tonganoxie resident Mike Gibbens, a Democrat, said education would be his top priority as a state senator from the Third District. Gibbens is seeking the Senate seat vacated by the retirement of Don Biggs.

Gibbens said he particularly is concerned about the foundation children receive in early elementary school.

“Let’s cut class sizes,” he said. “Let’s have 15 kids in each class, instead of 25 or 30 at that level.”

In addition, he favors bringing corrections workers into the state retirement system.

“They deserve a raise, and they also deserve to be treated the same as other law enforcement officers in the state,” he said.

Gibbens’ primary opposition, Connie O’Brien, said family farms are close to her heart.

“I will not support any policies that tend to drive the family farmers from the land,” she said.

In addition, she opposes any efforts to raises taxes. Accessible health care, removing sales tax on food and the health of small businesses also are important to O’Brien.

On the Republican side of the Third District Senate race, Bob Lyon, Winchester, said it’s time Kansas returned to traditional values.

“I think the guiding principal of government is to do what is right and do what is just,” said Lyon, who faces two opponents, Louis Klemp and Jack Divine, both of Leavenworth.

Klemp said his motto is: deeds, not words. He said he would do his homework, if elected to the Senate.

Divine said he would hold the line on taxes, adding, “I’m a fiscal conservative.” And he wants to encourage economic development, as well as infrastructure improvements.

Democrats the Fifth District Senate race are J.R. Russell, a Kansas City, Kan., trial attorney, and incumbent Mark Gilstrap, also of Kansas City, Kan.

Russell said he’s concerned about the effects that the Kansas Speedway will have on western Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties. He supports a road system that connects Leavenworth County to both Interstates 70 and 435. In addition, he favors returning tax revenue to the counties that generate it.

Gilstrap said his term in the Senate was rewarding. He said successes of the Legislature included increased funding for education, passage of the 10-year comprehensive highway program, establishment of a Kansas Bureau of Investigation crime laboratory in Kansas City, Kan.

He said he can be successful in working with some members of the Republican majority in the Senate because he is a pro-life Democrat.

State Rep. Ray Cox, R-Bonner Springs, said attempts were made during the 2000 Legislature to get a handle on prison workers’ pay. In addition, he said he’s concerned about education funding and aid to elderly and disabled Kansans.

And the Kansas Department of Transportation’s plans to alter access to businesses along Kansas Highway 7 is a major concern.

“I hope we get this thing solved,” he said. “I brought the governor in on it.”

Cox faces Jim Jordan, Shawnee, in Tuesday’s primary. Jordan did not attend the forum.

The three Republican candidates for county commission centered on the need for a county administrator, improved roads and the one-cent sales tax, which expires in 2006.

Third District candidate Wilma Schuler said she favors a county administrator.

“We need a professional who is trained, and I think it would be best for the county if we do this,” said Schuler, Basehor.

In addition, she believes the Justice Center bonds should be refinanced, which would free money for county road improvements.

Karl Brown Jr., Lansing, said his experience on the Lansing City Council prepares him for the county commission, as well as his work as a real estate appraiser. He supports a county administrator, and believes county commissioners should endeavor to plan for the future.

Joe Daniels, Tonganoxie, is the third Republican candidate for the seat now occupied by Democrat Wayne Eldridge, who did not attend Saturday’s forum.

Daniels said the county needs an administrator to handle day-to-day operations of the county.

“I pledge to be available to you and represent you,” he said.

The Democratic side of the ticket has attracted four challengers to Eldridge.

Pat Albert, Tonganoxie, said his experience with city government and in Leavenworth Area Development have provided a good foundation for him. He plans to be involved, he said.

“Our incumbent is not here,” Albert said. “That’s where he’s been for the past four years.”

Albert favors a county administrator, and a subsequent reduction in commissioners’ salaries.

Another Tonganoxie resident, Jack Wolfe, doesn’t believe a county administrator is necessary.

“It’s just another layer of government,” he said. “You can’t get answers from the ones we’ve got now.”

He favors additional efforts aimed at economic development.

“We have to have industry,” he said. “Without industry, we’ll have dirt roads until hell freezes over.”

Denzel Gibbens, also a Tonganoxie resident, said he’s a consensus-builder. Hiring a county administrator, he said, could come only after a public vote and a cut in commissioners’ pay.

He said cities and the county must work together to provide space and utilities for industrial parks. And he said if the County Infirmary were closed, it would have to be done slowly. He would like to review the county budget, line by line.

“I believe we can become more efficient without raising taxes,” he said.

Pat Young, Basehor, said her work as a school board clerk and with large budgets has prepared her for the commission. She’s particularly concerned with additional staff for the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Department and road improvements.

All four candidates pledged to work well with fellow commissioners.

H.B. Weeks, Leavenworth, is hoping to unseat County Commissioner Bob Adams from his Second District seat on the commission.

Weeks supports a county administrator and a cut in commissioners’ salaries. He called for wise spending on the county’s part.

“I remind you that government does for the people that which they cannot do for themselves,” he said.

Adams said the voters of Leavenworth County should decide whether to add an administrator to the county staff.

Adams, Leavenworth, said he’s enjoyed his four years on the commission.

“This has been the best four years of my life, representing the people of Leavenworth County,” he said.

He said he has taken his job to heart.

“With my leadership, with the trust I feel I have earned, my ability to be a team player, my ability to listen to each of you, we can make this a better place to live, play and raise a family,” he said. “These are not buzz words.”