OPINION
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1. 2004
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
www.kansan.com
Editors' note: Last Thursday the Kansan invited candidates for state and local office or retention to submit statements on their platforms. Statements were due Friday by noon. The statements are listed in alphabetical order according to the candidates' last names.
My name is Charles Branson and I want to be your next District Attorney
As Eudora City Prosecutor, I protect public safety, promote crime-free neighborhoods and defend families and businesses. I dare to do all that, and more, for our county because I care.
As District Attorney, I will personally try cases and monitor the courts. I'll create a consumer protection division to go after scam artists who prey on taxpayers. I will fight forgers and thieves who threaten businesses. I will protect victims and witnesses from harassment and keep them informed about court proceedings. I will heed the needs of domestic abuse victims and involve teenagers in safety planning.
I have combined my KU business and law degrees with my legal training to build a successful legal practice. I will use those skills to oversee the DAs $1.2 million budget so that taxpayers get the services they pay for. I will demand excellence from staff at the same time I maintain fiscal responsibility. I will make criminals pay and will demand that courts impose appropriate sentences.
I will deliver. I will deliver because I care. Please vote Charles Branson for District Attorney.
Charles Branson Democratic candidate for District Attorney
November 2 is an important day at the polls in Lawrence.
In the midst of all the election rhetoric is a very important race in the Kansas Senate.
I currently represent the second district that includes the Lawrence campus of the University of Kansas. I have supported, and will continue to support, appropriate funding for education as well as job creation. How we address these two challenges will determine the future of Kansas.
Republicans will probably maintain a 70-80 percent majority in the Senate and they will elect leadership, appoint committee chairs, and set the agenda the next four years.
Moderate Republicans have a chance to win those leadership races in the Senate, but not if they're not there.
Vote for Mark Buhler on November 2, a moderate voice for Lawrence and the University.
Some believe if the race for the second district goes to the Democrats, the Senate will have conservative leadership. If conservatives control leadership we will address the social issues of the day. That puts education and job creation further down the list of priorities.
Mark Buhler
Republican candidate for State Senate
2nd District
Good jobs are the key to a healthy and affordable community. I support a coordinated and comprehensive approach to achieve our economic development goals and will work to improve the job base in Lawrence and Douglas County.
Douglas County must encourage and support sound planning principles. I will work to achieve a much better balance between development interests and surrounding neighborhoods.
Douglas County must act now to coordinate road plans county-wide and regionally. I will work more closely with the state to make sure that all major roads in our region work together to resolve our traffic crisis.
The county must respect and protect all communities, whether they are rural or urban in nature. The unique nature of rural life must be respected as Douglas County grows. I am committed to sensible planning that will offer continuity and security to all Douglas County communities.
The county must weigh both costs and benefits to its citizens when spending taxpayer money and stop wasting county money on poorly planned developments.
I have no ties to the development community and will have the interests of all residents in mind.
Marguerite Ermeling Independent candidate for County Commissioner, 3rd District
I hope to make a difference in the Kansas Senate by working to fund education, make health care more affordable, protect our natural resources, and improve benefits and conditions for all working Kansans.
The state must raise revenues to adequately fund early childhood education, K-12, and higher education. We shouldn't have to consider using differential tuition monies to fund capital improvements for university academic buildings.
The state should support renewable energy initiatives, particularly wind energy, create incentives for sustainable agriculture, and enforce the clean air and water acts.
The state should have a goal of affordable basic health care available to all Kansans. We should require insurance companies to provide contraceptive coverage to policyholders as they would other drugs.
We must work to enhance, not restrict, worker's compensation and raise the minimum wage in Kansas, which is now at $2.65, the lowest in the nation.
I have a degree in architecture from the University of Kansas, work in the KU Office of Space Management, and have served as Mayor of Lawrence. I am the only candidate in this race who answered the Project Vote Smart questionnaire.
Marci Francisco Democratic candidate for State Senate 2nd District
As District Attorney, and a prosecutor with 15 years of experience, I understand every responsibility of the DA's office.
During the last eight years as District Attorney, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to matters concerning the safety of all citizens. My team of dedicated prosecutors has over 100 years of combined experience. In order to keep our neighborhoods safe, we aggressively prosecute those who commit crimes in our community. We collaborate with other community agencies that provide services to our victims.
My office has worked with the University of Kansas to provide education, training and services to victims of stalking, sexual assault and domestic violence.
I have demonstrated my commitment to protecting all citizens by working with advocacy groups, and serving as vice president of the Ballard Community Center and vice chairman of the Attorney General's Workgroup on Children and Cybercrime. Recently, I was inducted into the KU Women's Hall of Fame.I have worked closely with local agencies to address concerns of Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse, Children's Issues and Sexual Abuse.
As president-elect of the state prosecutors' organization, I have worked at the state level for legislation to protect our citizens here in Douglas County. I would appreciate your vote Nov 2.
Christine Kenney
Republican candidate for District Attorney
As a graduate of the KU law and business schools, I value the importance of education. My wife, Ann, also a KU graduate, and I are raising our little daughter, Liliana, and we are reminded daily of the importance of a quality education every time we think about her future. We cannot afford to neglect our classrooms, because our future is sitting in them today. My plan for education includes:
Re-work and simplify the K-12 school finance formula.
Demand accountability and performance.
Ensure that our education system is properly funded.
Direct more money to the classrooms and teachers' pay.
Use Kansas' quality education system to attract new businesses and higher paying jobs for our state.
Recruit and retain the best and brightest teachers.
new teachers.
As your representative, I will work hard for healthcare reform, and to attract businesses, small and large, to our state. We need representatives who want to make Kansas a place that will attract new and better jobs for our citizens. This is a critical time for Kansas, let's elect a person who will fight for you. I would appreciate your vote on November 2.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Implement mentoring programs for
Rich Lorenzo
Republican candidate for State House
Oth District
The next Douglas County Clerk will have challenges on several fronts. New election procedures and standards will be required under the Help America Vote Act. Increasing county population will put more demands on the voter registration, real estate, tax distribution and Kansas Wildlife and Parks functions of the office.
All of these needs must be handled in a manner that properly serves the citizens of Douglas County while being cost effective. I have the experience, energy and enthusiasm to face these challenges.
During nine years with the County Clerk's Office, I have gained knowledge and insight that will help me serve the citizens of Douglas County. I am a KU graduate and native Douglas County resident.
It would be my pleasure to serve as your next Douglas County Clerk.
Marni Penrod
Republican Candidate for County Clerk
I am running for State Senate to help Kansas address the issues of today and help solve those issues for the benefit of future generations. I will strive to help Kansas realize its potential as a national leader in quality of education, to develop a strong and diverse economy, and promote an efficient government. If we can accomplish these three goals we will have the financial resources to address other critical needs of the state.
Economic Development: Kansas faces a constant struggle to support its traditional industries. We must develop a strong business environment that supports our current industries and draws new and broader enterprises to create a strong and expanding tax base with growing employment and good pay.
Education: We are educating today for responsible, productive, and healthy lives tomorrow. We must realize our state and communities will prosper only if we have an excellently educated and trained work force and leaders with vision and creativity.
lies and for government. We must examine all areas and levels of government to ensure we are using our tax dollars effectively and efficiently.
Government Efficiency: These are financially challenging times for fami
Roger Pine
Republican candidate for State Senate
3rd District
Why vote in the Douglas County Clerk's race? To put it simply, the Clerk's office has an impact on how you vote, obtain a hunting/fishing license or access county government information.
One of your first interactions with the County Clerk was when you registered to vote. Voting is one of the most fundamental rights in our society, and you deserve to be confident that your vote will be counted fairly, accurately, and correctly. I am committed to insuring your confidence is upheld. I will work to educate voters on changes related to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and be responsive to your concerns.
I am a strong advocate of a paper trail for any electronic voting system put in place under HAVA, for e-government services providing government access on your time schedule and more efficient business operations
I bring new leadership, new vision and new ideas to county government. I have 10 years of management experience, a bachelor's degree in political science and a dedication to effective government.
Your voice matters at all levels of government, vote on Nov 2 and make a difference.
Jamie Shew
Democratic candidate for County Clerk
My votes and voice will continue to support; increased funding for educational opportunities from pre-K to the University of Kansas; improvements to water quality; increased use of renewable energy; equal opportunity and rights for all.
I organized the Regional Bio-Science Collaborative Summit with NIH Director Dr. Elias Zerhouni and NSF Assistant Director Dr. Judith Ramaley; Kansas Electric Transmission Summit with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Pat Wood; and Kansas Broadband and Telemedicine Summit with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell.
These events brought Kansas policy-makers and researchers or utility and consumer interests together to develop strategies for improving the quality of life in Kansas.
My voice and votes have supported student, classified employee, unclassified professional staff, and faculty interests at the Legislature.
Henry C. Jackson editor
864-4810 or jjackson@kansan.com
Tom Sloan
Republican candidate for State House
45th District
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