Neosho, Mo. — Editor's Note: Following is part one of a two-part report on Tuesday's Newton County Republican watermelon feed. Coverage of the state candidates who spoke on Tuesday will appear in Thursday's Neosho Daily News.
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The temperatures were hot and the watermelon cold at Tuesday evening's annual Newton County Republican watermelon feed and candidate forum, held at Big Spring Park in Neosho.
Close to 300 local Republicans ignored the thermometer and turned out with lawn chairs in hand to the summer event, co-hosted by the Republican Women of Newton County and the Newton County Republican Central Committee.
Eleven of the 13 local candidates running in contested Newton County races in next Tuesday's GOP primary election showed up to give their three-minute speech on why voters should pick them. That number doesn't include the race for representative of the new 159th Missouri House district. Both Republican candidates, current state representative Bill Lant and newcomer Freddie Jennings, spoke on Tuesday and a synopsis of their comments will appear in Thursday’s Daily News with that of the candidates for statewide office.
Nearly all of the Republicans who win their respective Aug. 7 primary races will run unopposed in the November election. No Democrats have filed to run for county office, though two Libertarians, Roxie Fausnaught and Heather Bowers, are seeking seats on the Newton County Commission.
Candidates spoke in the order of their appearance on the ballot, unless the incumbent otherwise chose to speak last.
Newton County Commission -District 1
• Alan Cook, 50: Cook said he is a lifelong Newton County resident, growing up on a cattle farm east of Neosho. He graduated from Crowder College, attended Missouri Southern State University and then earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Oklahoma Christian University. He worked at Leggett & Platt for 23 years in the computer information technology department, and there served as a vice-president in charge of 65 developers and was responsible for the department budget. He also worked for a pallet company in the human resources department as a business partner. He has served as project manager over multi-million dollar projects and was responsible for employee relations for more than 1,200 employees. He is currently a deacon at Hillcrest Church of Christ and chairman of the board of trustees at Neosho Christian Schools, was president of the East Newton Charitable Foundation and treasurer of the Monark Springs Park board.
“I feel that with my background I can relate to all citizens of Newton County,” Cook said. “I understand the value of gathering input from citizens as I make decisions. I have no special interests, but we should have our homes and our family safe. We need to be an environment where commerce can flourish and at the same time have an affordable cost of living. I care about Newton County and want to be a good steward of your tax dollars...with my background and experience and knowledge of Newton County, I’ll do so by making informed decisions.”
• Henry O. Stout, 61: Stout said he raised all of his kids in Newton County. He has worked for the past 25 years at the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, the last 20 of which as a detective. He grew up on a dairy and hog farm, has worked construction, has been an EMT, been a licensed insurance and securities agent, a manager of three retail businesses and has experience with other vocations as well. Stout said that with his various work experiences, he believes he can relate to most everyone. He said people tell him they want a commissioner with common sense, leadership ability, someone they approach with their concerns and who is a team player and said he feels he meets those requirements. He said he wants to identify problems, look for solutions and continually ask himself if he is being a good steward with the citizens’ tax money.
“I believe we should continually ask ourselves ‘are we better off now than we were a year ago?’” Stout said. “We should always be looking for ways in the budget to reduce the burden on the residents of Newton County. 2013 will bring new challenges in an uncertain economy. We need to get our house in order, prioritize and schedule our goals, but in doing so we must also be sensitive to the needs of all the Newton County residents. We have a responsibility not only to ourselves but to future generations. My mission is to maintain transparency, ethics and integrity while serving the citizens of Newton County as commissioner.”
Candidate Kyle Seaman was not present at Tuesday’s event.
Newton County Commission-District 2
• W.B. “Doc” McCready, 74: McCready was an associate professor and co-founder of the Missouri Southern State University School of Dental Hygiene, served as an associate professor and chairman of the periodontal department at Oral Roberts School of Dentistry, was dental chief at both Freeman and St. John’s Hospitals, served as board president over a Newton County special road district where he said he had the opportunity to interact with people one-on-one. With revenue from the county’s new road and bridge tax coming in, McCready said the objective should be to maintain the roads and make them safe for travel, and that “I know how to build roads.” He said he has worked with a number of large companies, and his family has had a number of businesses that produced more than 200 jobs in Newton County.
“There is going to be laws and mandates coming from the feds and the state in the next few years,” McCready said. “Wise decisions will have to be made to keep our county productive and stable, ranging from the courthouse working with the sheriff’s department, down to our road systems. I feel I can make these decisions, in working with officials, the taxpayers, the property owners and the families of Newton County.”
• Jim Jackson, 58: Jackson served six years in the military, is a Vietnam War combat veteran and spent 35 years in television broadcasting, both as a news reporter and anchor, as well as in management. He was also an instructor at Crowder College for 11 years. He said he knows what it takes to work with different department leaders to get the job accomplished. Jackson said to be a good communicator, you have to be a good listener in order to solve problems. He said he wants the best roads and bridges possible and that good infrastructure will always be top priority for him. He said he would be a good steward of the taxpayers’ money, is in favor of strong law enforcement and wants to see Newton County “take a bite out of crime before crime takes the bite out of us.” He said he wants to see the development of a county website so residents can stay better informed about county business. He said he would be a “cheerleader” and “open doors” to promote Newton County for tourism and economic development.
“I want to serve and I want to make a positive difference,” Jackson said. “It’s time to get out on the playing field and help make Newton County the best place to live and work in Southwest Missouri . . . If elected, I can promise you hard work, dedication, passion, a strong team member and a strong team leader.”
• Carl Brand, 66: Brand has never ran for public office before, but said he is a problem-solver. He is a Vietnam War veteran and a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer with 26 years of service. He also spent 21 years in private industry, including as maintenance manager of a renewable energy company. He said he believes that smaller organizations are more efficient and that would be his approach to county government. He said he believes that Newton County should renounce the use of eminent domain for private economic development, and “continue to reduce the intrusion of the regional planning and zoning council in the affairs of county citizens.” He said he believes that environmental concerns and mandatory sustainable energy policies are “not about saving the environment, they’re about big government taking control of you the citizens of Newton County.” He said the commission should hold quarterly town hall-style meetings to report on the budget and state of the county. He said he would support a six-year plan for maintenance and improvement of county roads.
“In these difficult economic times, we need someone with real-world experience who can roll up his sleeves, work hard, manage with common sense and I’ve done all of those things first as a career Navy veteran and then in private industry,” Brand said.
Candidate Rick McCully was not present at Tuesday’s event.
Newton County Sheriff
• Mike Langland, 59: Langland said he has nearly 20 years of experience in law enforcement, and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice as an international police trainer and by Missouri as a generalist instructor and he holds several National Rifle Association instructor certifications. Langland worked previously for the Newton County Sheriff’s Department and then five years for the U.S. Department of State, during which time he trained Iraqi police forces and was deputy provincial chief, overseeing 16,000 Iraqi police, 10 district police stations and an annual budget of $40 million. Langland said that there has been a 120 percent turnover rate at the Newton County Sheriff’s Department over the last seven years. He said that was evidence of a much larger internal issue. He accused current sheriff Ken Copeland of dropping Newton County out of the Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force, ending neighborhood watch programs, school D.A.R.E. programs, and all but ending the jail ministry. He also said that until recently there had been no local news reports in the last two years of drug raids by the sheriff’s department.
“If you want change, elect me sheriff,” Langland said. “If you want Missouri drug laws enforced, elect me sheriff. If you want an ethical and respectful sheriff’s department, elect Mike Langland sheriff of Newton County on Aug. 7.”
• Ken Copeland, 62: Copeland has served full time in law enforcement for 30 years. He said that as sheriff one had to be careful — “if you’re on the news too much you’re a ‘media hound,’; if you’re on just a little you’re ‘not doing anything.’” Copeland said that during his tenure as sheriff, 2005-present, overall crime rate has decreased by 32.5 percent according to the Uniform Crime Report. He said that more than 75 meth labs have been seized in the last two years. He said the sheriff’s office served 55 drug search warrants and 96 drug arrests in 2010 and 43 drug search warrants and 88 drug arrests in 2011. He said the sheriff’s department is currently battling the sale of synthetic marijuana products and that four search warrants have been served in the last two weeks on Newton County businesses that sell the product and that pending lab test results, arrests and prosecutions are expected. The sheriff’s office averages more than 21,000 calls for service annually and more than 3,000 prisoners are processed annually, according to Copeland. He said the clearance rate for solving burglaries and thefts is above the national average. He said that the numbers are true facts and documented. He said that as sheriff he has also always stayed within budget, that he knows how run a sheriff’s office and that he values the trust of the Newton County citizens and promised that he “will not let you down.”
“The fact is the deputies and members of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office are working hard each and every day, 24 hours a day,” Copeland said. “It’s a profession we have chosen, it requires commitment and dedication and I’m proud of each and every deputy and the hard work that they do.I assure you our goal is to make Newton County a safe place for you and your families. I’m confident that we’re doing just that.”
Newton County Assessor
• Tami “Renfro” Owens, 47: Owens is a lifelong resident of Newton County. She said her qualifications for county assessor include the fact that she owns several small businesses, has 10 years experience as a realtor, eight years as a real estate broker, 10 years in people management, two years as a Newton County deputy assessor, and more than 10 years in budgeting experience with several non-profit organizations, industrial construction companies, and a real estate business. She said she is the candidate with the most diverse background of experience and that she is no stranger to hard work.
“As Newton County Assessor, I will give you, the taxpayer, what you pay for — a full-time office holder,” Owens said. “I will use my proven people management skills to provide you the taxpayer with better service. I will be available to hear your complaints and find a solution. I will maintain integrity and professionalism in the office...I promise you, I will be an approachable, professional and respectful person in the office.”
• Gloria (VanWinkle) Gourley, 63: Since serving as Newton County Assessor, Gourley said she has implemented a number of operational improvements, including: an open door policy for residents to come in and voice their concerns, second notice mailers to avoid costly penalties, online filing of business and personal property business sheets and redesign of personal property listings to allow the taxpayer to mark out items they no longer own. She said her office is currently in the process of placing VIN numbers into records. A new GIS system is in place and Gourley said her office is looking into new ways to assist taxpayers with their property questions.
“We will continue to find these and other ways to provide services that will assist taxpayers’ needs,” Gourley said. “With rising costs budgeting is a concern for all of us. I have maintained a balanced budget with cost savings to the county. Electing a person with experience in dealing with all of these issues is highly important. I believe I not only possess these qualities, but I will continue to give you, the taxpayer, my highest priority.”
Public Administrator
• JeAnna McGarrah, 58: McGarrah said that in addition to the duties of handling the affairs of those who can no longer take care of themselves, and closing out estates for those who leave no family, she said her opinion is that the public administrator’s job is also to improve the quality of life of their wards and help them maintain their self respect. She referenced the Bible in saying the job is about speaking up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. McGarrah is a business owner and said she understands maintaining a balanced budget. McGarrah is also a registered nurse with more than 30 years experience. She has worked in the hospital emergency department, has worked as a case manager and as a patient advocate. In the latter role, she said she has dealt with Medicare, Medicaid and insurance issues to help her patients receive the help they needed.
“I would like to use my medical and business knowledge and experience to make a difference for the Newton County community and the office of Public Administrator,” McGarrah said.
• Billie Adams-Herrell, 54: Herrell is a lifetime resident of Newton County. She said she has a 12-year background in finance and is currently assistant to current Public Administrator Diane Dodson, who is not seeking reelection, and said Dodson “has been a good teacher.” She said her office is currently responsible for 155 court-assigned individuals, and said that by the time they are assigned they already have doctors and nurses, and some already have benefits set up, while others require assistance to obtain them.
“I have the knowledge and working experience to help these people,” Herrell said. “The Public Administrator is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She makes daily decisions that affect our people’s financial, emotional and physical well-being. If elected, my office will be guided by the statutes of the state of Missouri and by my compassion and dedication to those entrusted to me by the court. My knowledge and experience in the current Public Administrator’s office will help me in making the best informed decisions for the people that need us.”
Primary races for five Newton County offices in play
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Originally Posted by Deuteronomy 20
