Commission candidates look at county’s challenges

The following questions were sent to both candidates for the 2nd District County Commission Seat. Their responses are printed as they were returned without editing for grammar or spelling.

W.A. “Doc” Godfrey, DVM

Age: 71

Family: Wife, Constance Godfrey; Daughter, Donna Lohse, Elk River, Minn.; sons, Daniel Godfrey, Cary, N.C., and Dale Godfrey, Bonita Springs, Fla.

Employment history and current occupation: I spent 38 years in veterinary practice at the Miami Veterinary Clinic in Paola. I served 12 years on the USD 368 School Board. I served 14 years on the No. 2 Rural Water Board. I served 12 years as Miami County Commissioner.

1. If elected in November, what will be your primary goals for the term?

My Primary Goal for the next 4 years is to maintain current services without big increases in the mill levy, which will be a huge task due to the need for improved infrastructure “roads and bridges.”

2. What are some of the biggest challenges facing Miami County and how do you propose to address those challenges as a commissioner? And 3. What are your thoughts on economic growth in the county? What is needed and how can the county head in that direction?

Economic growth is going to be difficult to accomplish due to stagnation of the growth rate and tax base because of high energy costs. We may see reverse migration like we witnessed in the 1970s. The county needs job producing businesses so people do not need to commute north. Good ideas to accomplish this would be much appreciated.

4. What does the Miami County community mean to you?

Miami County has been “home” to me and my family for 64 years. I hope to be involved into the future in an orderly fashion.

Bonnie “Rob” Roberts

Age: 54

Family: Wife, Marilyn; Daughter, Sara; Grandchild, Addison.

Employment: 24 years with Allied Signal in Olathe — management; owner, Mountain Man, Nuts and Fruits, 1995 to 2002, and Property Management and Restoration; nine years, Cross Point Assembly of God, business manager; eight years, Paola City Treasurer; seven years, Paola City Council; one year, Paola Mayor; 2 1/2 years, Salvation Army, volunteer director for Miami County; various other community volunteer positions.

1. If elected in November, what will be your primary goals for the term?

Economic growth (Retail and Commercial) and Public Safety (Sheriff, Fire, and EMS)

2. What are some of the biggest challenges facing Miami County and how do you propose to address those challenges as a commissioner?

No question, the challenge is always trying to balance our citizen’s needs and expectations for quality services and the tax dollars to pay for it. The years spent as a public servant has prepared me to work with other commissioners and the county administers to keep the lid on taxes and use it wisely to get the most for every tax dollar. The service expectations will only grow, especially in the areas of public safety. As the county continues to experience growth, the need for paved roads, the need to expand our public safety departments will be necessary.

3. What are your thoughts on economic growth in the county? What is needed and how can the county head in that direction?

The Midwest with its rich rural terrain, Norman Rockwell type city environment and strong educational system is an attractive setting to draw in new residents looking to raise a family. The growth our county has seen, primarily is residential and some retail. As we see the raise in gas prices that makes us wish we had jobs closer to our homes. Miami County has had a passive approach to economy development. The commissioners should examine the process used to retain and assist our current retail business, it is imperative that the established business we currently have is supported and we maintain an even playing field when we recruit new business. The commissioners should identity retail business that are needed and necessary in our local communities and actively pursue these types. The residential market is currently slow but this cycle will change like so many times in past, the commissioners should identity every available location where the zoning, roads, sewers and water resourses currently exist that would support new homes. Once identified then work with cities to pursue the responsible builders / developers to create areas where new housing can be build. I know these are only ideas and will take a lot of work to accomplish but some Areas of our county need affordable housing. We must have a wider tax base , more residents sharing the cost of the ever increasing cost of providing our servives. To keep the taxs low we must have more residents to help pay for them,

4. What does the Miami County community mean to you?

Miami County is my home. I was not born here; however, I chose to live here and raise my family. I have devoted 18 of the 23 years here in service to my community. This is why, again, I run for public office. I want to personally see this County grow in strategic residential, retail-commercial. Yet I will work to preserve our Norman Rockwell type community and the Midwestern values we expect.