Editor’s note: The Mirror staff posed the following questions to candidates for Tonganoxie City Council and school board who have opposition in Tuesday’s election.
Polls are open on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

TONGANOXIE CITY COUNCIL

Steve Gumm
1012 Bury Drive
Age: 45
Occupation: senior vice president, First State Bank and Trust

What do you want to accomplish in the next four years?

I would like to help finalize the water supply project with the Board of Public Utilities. The new water line now has a defined project schedule. Coupled with the recently completed wastewater treatment facility, two of our major infrastructure components will be updated to carry the city through the next 20-25 years.

I would like the city to continue efforts to attract and expand both commercial and industrial businesses. We need to continue to work with the Chamber of Commerce and Leavenworth Area Development in a joint cooperative effort.

Another key effort involves completion of the construction of the new middle school and the renovations of the elementary and high school facilities. The city needs to work closely with the school board to make this as smooth a process as possible.

Finally, continue to help control the residential growth of the community through our planning and zoning efforts and use of the comprehensive plan. A properly planned city will help provide a community that will continue to attract residents who wish to live close to the metro but still desire the smaller town atmosphere.

What expertise and experience would you bring to the city council?

Over the past four years, as a city council member, I have dealt with all the issues, both good and bad, that have affected the city. I think that I have and will continue to make good solid decisions. My involvement as a board member of Leavenworth Area Development has also helped keep me informed of issues that affect the southern portion of Leavenworth County.

As a banker, my job requires me to be knowledgeable and informed on issues that affect citizens and business/industrial clients of Tonganoxie. This perspective can be useful in dealing with the affairs of the city. Receiving, analyzing and making rational, fair decisions is something that I am required to do on a daily basis.

What should Tonganoxie do — if anything — to foster economic development?

As I mentioned above, I think we need to work with LAD and the Chamber of Commerce. The City’s commitment to assist up to $50,000 in covering holding costs on the new spec building that is in process in the Urban Hess Industrial Park shows a forwarding thinking approach to economic development. Most importantly, I think we want to show prospective owners that we want to work with them and are friendly and cooperative in our approach.

Is the city doing enough to improve existing infrastructure in Tonganoxie, including streets, sewers and water lines?

I believe that given the budget restraints that the city has, we are doing a good job. Credit needs to be given to Butch Rodgers and his staff on the annual street repairs that are completed. I believe that we get the most work done that is possible, with the allocated funding. Because much of the work is completed with city labor and not contracted out, multiple projects can be accomplished.

As addressed above, the waste water treatment facility is completed and is being tested at the present time. Through the efforts of Kathy Bard, assistant city administrator, and the city engineer we were able to secure a free $400,000 grant and a low interest rate loan to fund the project. Kent Heskett and staff should be credited with holding together our old plant until the new facility could be constructed.

The new water line will provide the city with a stable supply of water for years to come. It should not be forgotten that the city will still utilize our existing water wells to the fullest extent of their capacity.

Robert Nickle
833 E. Sixth
Age: 61
Occupation: Retired

What do you want to accomplish in the next four years?

I would like to be part of our city upgrading our city’s infrastructure, such as our streets, water and sewer lines so as to meet our citizens’ needs in the future. There are plans before the city council to be addressed concerning the water lines and expanding our streets to accommodate traffic when the new school is finished. Also the issue of our fire station and the Stranger fire station merging. All of these issues require a lot of thought and we must consider the best interest of all citizens in our decisions.

What expertise and experience would you bring to the city council?

Being from a small town I am familiar with the workings of a small town. I had the opportunity of being a yardmaster for many years for the railroad and I can see how that has enabled me to look ahead and see the future of our actions and how it relates to our people. Since I am retired I will be able to commit whatever time is necessary to be available to attend meetings and whatever else would be required of me, such as serving on committees and attending any function that is necessary or asked of me. I think it is necessary to study and discuss each issue at council meetings to reach decisions that will benefit all citizens.

What should Tonganoxie do — if anything — to foster economic development?

I believe it is our responsibility as city council members to promote tourism, housing and commercial opportunities to support our tax base. We need to utilize our citizens’ tax dollars efficiently and effectively. We need to be a positive advocate for our community and our citizens to ensure consistency and fairness and honesty in our resolve to bring in new business.

Is the city doing enough to improve existing infrastructure in Tonganoxie, including streets, sewers and water lines?

It is necessary to listen to all our citizens’ concerns and interests regarding the future of our hometown and all the improvements that may become necessary in the future. There are plans to develop a new interchange to Interstate 70 that will affect our town and I believe we should be a part of the decision-making on this matter. The city has plans to repave some of the streets and I believe this is a necessary ongoing thing. I think, for the most part, our city council has tried to be on top of the issues that affect all of us. In closing, I would like to say that I look forward to being a part of the city council. If elected, I will do my best to represent all the citizens of Tonganoxie to the best of my ability.

Jim Truesdell
120 Washington
Age: 52
Occupation, bridge project manager, HNTB Corp., Kansas City, Mo.

What do you want to accomplish in the next four years?

I would like to help the city update the comprehensive plan, provide the infrastructure to support development and provide the necessary tools, training, salaries and benefits to attract and keep quality city employees.
As a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, I have worked with the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations to conduct public hearings, resolve issues between developers and adjacent land owners, and assure that the proposed developments are consistent with Tonganoxie’s future land-use plans.

We currently have excellent leadership on the city planning commission with members who want to not only maintain but improve Tonganoxie’s quality of life. I also would like to work with our recently contracted planning consultant and new city administrator to resolve planning issues for our rapidly growing community. The population in Tonganoxie has changed dramatically since the comprehensive plan “Vision 2020” was originally developed and the plan should be updated accordingly. I believe that we have the right people in place to improve the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations so that future development will meet the comprehensive plan vision statement: To ensure quality growth that enhances Tonganoxie’s small town character with great respect for its history and lifestyle.

In order for the city to provide quality services, I believe that city employees must be satisfied and have the appropriate equipment, tools, training and support to perform their duties. As part of the new city government, I will work with the new city administrator to make this happen.

What expertise and experience would you bring to the city council?

I have been a member of the Tonganoxie City Planning and Zoning Commission since my appointment in May 2003. I have worked with the other commissioners and the city council to address development issues facing the city.

Also, I have been active on the U.S.D. 464 Tonganoxie School District facilities upgrade and bond issue committees for the past four years. I am currently a member of the oversight committee formed by the school district to assure that the architects and construction manager provide what was promised to the school district voters.

I graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor science and master science of civil engineering. I am a licensed professional engineer registered in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and have been practicing engineering since 1979. My engineering experience should be helpful to the city when making decisions regarding the city’s infrastructure.

What should Tonganoxie do — if anything — to foster economic development?

I believe that economic development is one of the most important issues facing Tonganoxie. I was asked to help participate on the committee to help promote the continuation of the 1 percent sales tax. After educating myself on the issue, I agreed to help. Revenue from the 1 percent sales tax will help enhance economic development and keep property taxes down. For Leavenworth County, this could mean a new or improved county road connecting U.S. Highway 24-40 to Interstate 70. The county builds the road improvement while the KTA provides the interchange. I would like to help our community take advantage of this rare opportunity. The new county road improvement would help recruit new business and industry to Tonganoxie. This in turn will create a larger tax base and help keep property taxes down. Tonganoxie should work with the county, Leavenworth Area Development and others to attract new business and industry.

Is the city doing enough to improve existing infrastructure in Tonganoxie, including streets, sewers and water lines?

Tonganoxie has recently improved Fourth Street and plans to develop Fourth Street further to the east. The city continues to develop construction plans for the new water line from BPU in Kansas City, Kan., to Tonganoxie.

Construction of the new sewer treatment facility is nearly complete.
There are infrastructure needs that will need to be addressed jointly between the school district, city, county and state with regards to the new middle school to be constructed on Washington Street. Infrastructure needs here include construction of a new water tower capable of servicing city and school demands, sewer improvements and street improvements to access the new school.

Improvements to the north to south street system in Tonganoxie are needed as well as improvements to many of the existing streets and storm drainage systems. It is important to provide an adequate infrastructure to support existing and future development.

Cecil Vinyard
419 E. Seventh Terrace
Age: 61
Occupation: retired

What do you want to accomplish in the next four years?

Lower some taxes and utilities.

What expertise and experience would you bring to the city council?

A total of 23 years on the police department and five years on the fire department.

What should Tonganoxie do — if anything — to foster economic development?

I am not sure at this time.

Is the city doing enough to improve existing infrastructure in Tonganoxie, including streets, sewers and water lines?

No. I think our streets and water lines are in fair condition. But I am not sure the money is there.

Jason K. Ward
200 Rawlings Drive
Age: 34
Occupation: attorney

What do you want the city to accomplish in the next four years?

My first goal is for there to be a swift and orderly completion of the new middle school and additions to the existing grade school and high school buildings. The joint efforts of the city council, planning commission and school board can ensure the efficient completion of these complicated projects. Our children are the future leaders of this community and should be a top priority.

My second goal for the city to accomplish is the completion of the proposed water line from Kansas City, Kan. The new water line is essential to maintain an adequate water supply for domestic use and most importantly, fire protection. It will relieve Tonganoxie’s dependence on surrounding communities for water resources and provide a much-needed boost in available water. The plan is in place for work to begin in 2006. It will be the city’s job to stay the course.

Lastly, I would like the city to have more programs that foster community involvement. It is important that we provide park space and community facilities to match our current needs and potential future growth.

Recreation areas such as sports fields, bike trails and community centers for people of all ages provide the opportunity to improve physical and mental health while enjoying the society of others.

What expertise and experience would you bring to the city council?

I have experience in Kansas government and currently work as an attorney in an active litigation environment. I worked for the Kansas secretary of state for two years gaining a solid understanding for the legislative process and familiarity with Kansas statutes. My current legal practice involves day-to-day problem solving and consistent client interaction. These experiences provide an excellent background for performing council functions such as contract and ordinance analysis as well as working with community members. The city is facing many challenges related to growth and maintenance. I feel my background and expertise would be a great asset in meeting these challenges.

What should Tonganoxie do — if anything — to foster economic development?

Economic development, and specifically business development, is directly attributable to population growth. Census studies show that Tonganoxie has grown steadily since 1930. As cities grow they become more attractive to new businesses, which provide greater tax revenues than residential properties. The tax dollars derived from the additional businesses can be turned back into the community and reflected in improved streets, parks and public facilities.

I feel we should market our historic downtown with the same vigor that we market other developing commercial sites. Historic downtown districts have flourished in towns like Atchison, Weston and Parkville. Our downtown provides the city a unique identity that many surrounding communities simply do not have.

Additionally, anything that can be done to increase jobs in town will benefit the community. Local employment keeps our tax dollars in Tonganoxie and provides citizens the opportunity to capture time lost in the daily commute.

Is the city doing enough to improve existing infrastructure in Tonganoxie, including streets, sewers and water lines?

Projects for improvements to existing infrastructure are often related to the perceived need and available funds in the city budget. I feel strongly that the city must be proactive and forward thinking when considering improvements to existing infrastructure. Delay in addressing these items can subject the city to governmental scrutiny on the state level and potential costly repairs or replacements when failures occur. The comprehensive plan suggests that the city should consider providing dedicated tax revenues to improve existing streets and sidewalks. There should be no question that portions of the annual budget be earmarked for existing infrastructure improvement. We have many city streets that are without curbs and sidewalks. Improvement of these streets will benefit pedestrian safety and promote community involvement.

Candidate Q and A: Tonganoxie school board

By Staff | Mar 30, 2005

Editor’s note: The Mirror staff posed the following questions to candidates for Tonganoxie City Council and school board who have opposition in Tuesday’s election.
Polls are open on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

TONGANOXIE SCHOOL BOARD

Bob DeHoff
15628 238th St.
Age: 43
Occupation: manufacturing engineer

What do you want the school board to accomplish in the next four years?

With the passing of the bond issue, the building project is one of the more important items for the school board to address. The school board and the administration need to make sure that the district ends up with the facilities that were expected at the election. The completed facilities need to fit with our educational goals, in addition to being completed within budget and of the quality expected.

As a result of “No Child Left Behind,” the state legislature and state board of education will be passing and changing laws and regulations to meet the criteria. The school board will need to understand the laws and regulations and make the appropriate policy and procedural changes that are needed to meet those requirements.

The most important job of the school board is always seeing that the youth of the district are receiving the best education possible. The school board needs to continue to oversee the continual updating and improvement of the curriculum. Also, the school board needs to maintain an environment of high expectations for the administrators, staff and all students.

Should the school district sell or continue to own the portion of its 80 acres that won’t be used for the new middle school?

Unless the right situation presented itself, it would not be a good idea to sell any of the property at this time. At the expected growth of our district, the current building program should serve us very well for 12 to 15 years. With the continued rise in the cost of land, it would be very beneficial for the school district to already have land available (if unforeseen circumstances or opportunity presents itself).

What are the Tonganoxie school district’s strengths? And what are its weaknesses?

I believe one of the stronger aspects of the Tonganoxie school district is its teachers and administrators. As a whole, they are a very dedicated group of individuals. They have the passion and the desire to see that all of our students are successful, academically and socially. They have also been very dedicated to the continual updating and improvement of the curriculum that is delivered to our students.
The Tonganoxie community is one of the strengths of the school district. Families of our students have always been very involved in the student’s education. We also have a very involved business community that is always there to support the programs and students of our school district.
As with many organizations, communication is an area that could always see an improvement. Internal and external communication is such a vital part of running an efficient school district. All parties involved should continually be aware of areas they could improve. Not only what is communicated but how it is communicated as well.

Are the district’s expenditures on extracurricular and co-curricular activities — such as athletics, debate, music and cheerleading — adequate?

Extracurricular and co-curricular activities are a very important addition to a well-balanced education. The extracurricular and co-curricular activities that are in place should be adequately funded. In most cases, I believe that the school district adequately funds these programs without spending more than necessary.

Brian Huseman
15265 222nd St.
Age: 44
Occupation: veterinarian (Industrial Veterinary Medicine)

What do you want to the school board to accomplish in the next four years?

1) Complete the building project using the available funds from the bond issue and plan for the continued growth of the district’s student population. The district needs to complete the buildings as they were presented to the voters. This will become increasingly difficult as oil and steel prices increase. The longer it takes to complete the project, the more expensive the buildings will become or the smaller or less buildings the district will be able to build. At the same time, we must plan for the continued growth of the district’s student population as the population expansion continues westward from Kansas City and as a turnpike exchange at Tonganoxie is discussed. There is no doubt in my mind that the district will continue to grow and we must plan for this event.

2) Insuring that our students testing competence is high for the “No child left behind” program. This program could have a major impact on our school district if our students do not do well because they could transfer from our school with their funds.

3) Making the best use of school funds from the state of Kansas. While the board does not have a say in what they receive from the state, they do have the responsibility of administering the state money in a wise method. Unfortunately, much of that money is already earmarked when it comes to the school district. Thus it is up to the board to decide how to fund programs and which ones will be funded.

Should the school district sell or continue to own the portion of its 80 acres that won’t be used for the new middle school?

The district should hold onto this ground as this property will not decrease in value. While it may not all be used at this time, I am sure that the district will need to expand again in the next 10 years or so. At that time, the unused portion will either be a logical spot for another building addition or can be sold or traded for a different property in a better location. If it is sold later, the price received at that time should be more than now.

What are the Tonganoxie school district’s strengths? And what are its weaknesses?

The strength of our district starts with our students and our educational staff. Together with the strong support of district patrons, there is a strong foundation for our district. Our administrators and staff work closely together. We provide many strong extracurricular activities for our students and Tonganoxie is known for these activities. Being close to KU and KCKCC is advantageous as this allows students to take advanced classes at these locations. Inadequate funding is a weakness of our district and probably for most schools in Kansas. Schools are reliant upon state funding, however much of the money is already earmarked and therefore does not help basic education. Inadequate funding leads to lower salaries for staff, increased class sizes which do not allow teachers to teach to individual students, and other issues.

Are the district’s expenditures on extracurricular and co-curricular activities — such as athletics, debate, music and cheerleading — adequate?

The district is spending adequately on extracurricular activities. The district provides a good balance of activities for the students. As a parent with students involved in athletics, debate, band and school plays to name a few activities, I have not felt that the nominal fees we have had to pay have been a burden. There are always instances where one would wish that someone would pay for activities but this is not realistic. The school provides teachers/sponsors, transportation, and a place to hold activities. We as parents must do our part as well to help offset costs.

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