Candidates for Marion Mayor and two Marion City Council positions were asked to respond to the following questions.
Incumbent Mayor Mary Olson and mayoral candidate Steven Smith, and Marion City Council candidates Gerald (Jerry) Kline, Chris Meierhoff, and Richard (Dick) Varenhorst responded.
A public forum will be presented at 1:30 p.m. March 7 at Marion Senior Center.
City elections will be April 6.
Mayoral candidates
Mary Olson
Q: Why do you want to be re-elected mayor of Marion?
A: I asked the Marion Planning and Zoning Commission to review the five-year comprehensive plan. Now that it has been approved, I would like to see the next step taken to update the zoning regulations to try to eliminate some of the obstacles encountered by potential residents and businesses. As a retired teacher, I will still have the time, interest, and energy to carry out this project and the many other responsibilities of the position.
Q: If re-elected, what are your three top priorities or goals?
A: 1. Support open government by insisting decisions of the city council are discussed and questioned in the regular or special meetings. 2. Stay informed by listening to concerns of the residents of the city, attending workshops, conferences offered by the Kansas League of Municipalities, city advisory board meetings (cemetery, park, planning and zoning, recreation, and any special committee meetings), or any other statewide meeting (emergency or disaster). I will continue to attend the city mayors’ meetings, Marion County Economic Development Council and Marion Economic Development, Inc., meetings. 3. Support efforts to maintain a city staff who, by their decisions and actions, are showing efficient use of time and resources.
Q: What actions would you be willing to take if there is a budget shortfall?
A: Every budget has to be made with the possibility of a budget shortfall. That said, I would like the council be more actively involved in the budget making process, and reviewing policies and employee job descriptions. Fortunately, Marion is fiscally sound at present, but with the shortfalls at the state and national levels, I would be willing to propose these actions: Make across-the-board cuts in every department budget. Look at utility costs and revenues to see if adjustments have to be made such as the present electrical charges of the city. Look at privatization of some services such as refuse.
Merge some staff positions, but making sure the progress or direction of any position is not lost in the merger. Look more aggressively at leasing city property or letting tasks, which are normally performed by city staff, to be done by volunteers. Look at cutting services such as seeing how one-day-a-week refuse pickup could work.
Review all policies to see if more efficient plans could reduce waste. Prioritize projects, five-year planning. Continually review all equipment maintenance of older equipment and watch for replacements.
Q: What are your qualifications for this office?
A: 15 years, 1981 through 1996, on Lincolnville City Council, one term as mayor. Leadership positions in many organizations. Volunteer work on city boards and committees since moving to Marion in 1996.
In the past three years, I have acquired 40 credits by attending leadership meetings and conferences offered by the Kansas League of Municipalities. Made a point of visiting Marion businesses and sponsored events in other cities. Toured projects as they were being done. Made myself available at least two days a week at the city building for visiting with citizens.
Attended contract conferences in order to become acquainted with the process. Made trips to Topeka to visit with state representatives. Discussed concerns and projects with the school superintendent, county commissioners, and hospital administrator.
Q: Personal information?
A: I have been a resident of Marion County all my life. I have a sister and two brothers living in the Peabody area. I was a classroom teacher in the Centre District for 36 years. Before his death, my husband, Warren, was a farmer in the Lincolnville area where we lived. After my retirement, we moved to Marion in 1996.
I am currently a member of Alpha Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Gilbert-Poppe American Legion Auxiliary, Marion VFW Auxiliary, St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary, and Heartland Retired Teachers.
Q: Other information?
A: If I am re-elected as mayor, during the regular council meetings, I will continue to ask the city staff to inform the council and the residents of projects they are undertaking and plans for future projects. Community involvement will come when the residents are well informed. By attending the meetings, I intend to support the volunteers as they serve on various city boards and commissions.
Appointments may be made at the city office to visit me anytime, although I intend to be available Monday and Tuesday mornings without appointments. You will be able to see me walking the streets and alleys as well. In other words, I intend to still be seen as much as you have seen me the past three years.
Steven Smith
Q: Why do you want to be elected mayor of Marion?
A: I feel we are at a crossroads and have been for several years. It is time for the younger generation of Marion residents to begin participating in their local government. I can’t ask others to do something that I would not participate in.
We need a renewed commitment to our community by all who live in Marion. By actively participating in the local government, we learn much about where our opportunities for improvement are.
Q: If elected, what are your three top priorities or goals?
A: If I am elected I feel that there is one primary goal that we should work on. It is to focus on moving Marion into the future and, in doing so, make it a more self-sustaining place to live and raise your children. This goal involves many priorities including keeping Marion a safe place where you know your neighbors and members of your community.
Also to keep it thriving so that the next generation will want to continue to live here. We may never bring large industry to Marion, but after close examination, we may not want that in our community. However, we must find ways of bringing in new small- to medium-size businesses to Marion that provide needed services to our community; perhaps a small engine service, entertainment stores that could sell game systems, MP3s, computers, used and possibly new.
We have two lakes close by and yet no one that sells camping equipment, sporting goods, boats, etc. We have to promote our city to those who may be able to bring a new idea or commodities that fit the daily needs of our city.
We also must develop better emergency plans for our future. Emergency operation plans for the city are in great need of being updated as are training for those having to play an important role in the recovery of the community. We must be prepared for the future and what it will bring to our population. We have some unique challenges in the community that have not been addressed.
Q: What actions would you be willing to take if there is a budget shortfall?
A: The first thing would be to cut pay to those on the City Council. We can’t expect to have others make a sacrifice if we won’t do it ourselves. Most of those who run for the City Council are not doing it for the money and would probably do this job whether being paid or not. That being said the pay would not save the city much money but would set the table for others willing to do the same.
If necessary, we could downsize our city administration, combining areas into manageable job combinations that could still effectively keep the city running. We have to start at the top and work our way to the bottom so that we are handling the city the most economically that we can.
Our current staff and employees are doing a fantastic job of staying within the budget restrictions at this time, but we are looking at possibly more cuts and will undoubtedly have to tighten our belts to adjust for the future of our community.
Q: What are your qualifications for this office?
A: Having served on the City Council these past years have introduced me to the political issues that are involved in this job. Any mayor will not change anything in Marion without the active participation of all who serve on the council. I believe that I can represent the younger generation because I have my own children living and working here, as well as the older generations.
In working as the director of EMS, I am responsible for a large department of people, I work with a department of the state, and I manage the department’s policies and procedures. I have taken all available NIMS training so that I have the knowledge to work with state and federal disaster management in the case of a large emergency.
This is all obviously on a smaller scale, but grouped with my two years of Council experience, I believe I am at least equally qualified as many first-time mayors.
Q: Personal information?
A: I am the Director of Marion County Emergency Medical Services and have been privileged to serve Marion County for 16 years. My wife, Stacie, is employed at St. Luke Hospital in surgery a few hours per week. I have two sons who live in Marion with their families, three step-children, and three grandchildren that make this position important to me.
Q: Other information?
A: In talking with the people of Marion I find that we are not a divided community when it comes to Marion’s survival. We are only divided about the path which we will take to get there. We need people to serve as leaders who are willing to work together on a path to secure Marion and its residents.
Lastly, I promise to keep the public’s opinion in the forefront of my decision making for the future of Marion. I have always had an open door policy and welcome the thoughts and opinions of those wishing to share. The more people that bring ideas to the table, the better the chance to find solutions.
Two council positions
Gerald Kline
Q: Why do you want to be elected to the Marion City Council?
A: I care about what happens in the city and hope to make a difference in the quality of government. (I’m) Retired (with) more time to devote to city business.
Q: f elected, what are your three top priorities or goals?
A: 1. Goal would be to see continued growth in Marion. For example, the city had $930,000 in 2009 for new construction or remodeling in business and housing. 2. Make sure the city continues to be financially responsible and good stewards of taxpayer funds. 3. See the city continues to provide services to citizens and upgrade those services for future growth.
Q: What actions would you be willing to take if there is a budget shortfall?
A: My first suggestion to the council would be to look at reducing or eliminating some services. This could amount to $29,000. Delay other projects.
Q: What are your qualifications for this office?
A: 1. Budget — both business and city budget experience. 2. Having prior knowledge of city government having served on the council for two years.
Q: Personal information?
A: Lifetime Marion resident. Married with two adult children. Active member of Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
Q: Other information?
A: Substitute school bus driver. Member of Centre Lodge #147 Marion. Member of American Legion Post 22 Marion. Chairman of advocacy committee of North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging. Member of Marion Economic Development, Inc.
Chris Meierhoff
Q: Why do you want to be elected to the Marion City Council?
A: I felt that younger people in the community needed to have more input into the direction of Marion. For this reason I decided to step forward and run for city council.
Q: If elected, what are your three top priorities or goals?
A: a. Retain our current businesses. I believe that growth from within our current businesses is as vital as new business. b. Obviously attracting new business and industry is an attainable goal and important to the growth of our community and local economy. With the impressive school facilities we have, events like Chingawassa Days, two lakes close to town, a beautiful park, outstanding baseball complex, our community has a lot to offer. c. Continue with the upgrading of our streets and infrastructure with an eye to responsible spending. This is not only appealing to prospective business but a benefit to the entire community.
Q: What actions would you be willing to take if there is a budget shortfall?
A: As within my own household, I would look for additional income opportunities or reductions in non-essential services. Simply put, I would rely on the citizens of Marion to express to me how they would want me to proceed.
Q: What are your qualifications for this office?
A: I am a successful business owner who has lived here and been active in the community my entire life. I am raising my children here and have a vested interest in the future of Marion.
Q: Personal information?
A: My wife, Kathy, and I have been married 18 years and have two children. Our son, Brandon, and daughter, Erin, attend Marion High School. I graduated from Marion High School in 1985 and have lived here my entire life. I began working at Marion Marble and Granite in 1988 and purchased the business in 2006.
I have been a volunteer on the Marion Fire Department since 1992. Served on the baseball board. Been a baseball coach, Boy Scout leader. Serve on the Chingawassa Days Committee, and volunteer in many other activities throughout the community.
Richard Varenhorst
Q: Why do you want to be elected to the Marion City Council?
A: I’m hoping I can bring fresh ideas to the council and restore some positive feelings to this community. One of the many things I learned from my parents was that a commitment to the community you live in should be a natural part of your life. I have lived most of my life in Marion and over the years, I have seen the pride of being a part of this town slipping away. I would like to try and restore that pride.
Q: If elected, what are your three top priorities or goals?
A: First, we need to concentrate on encouraging the creation of new employment in Marion. Not only do we need new jobs, but we need to make sure we don’t lose the ones that we already have.
Second, the council needs to react to problems that come up in a more timely fashion. Putting off a decision for months is not good business. Information needed to make a decision must be provided quickly and the problem resolved.
Last, I would like to see the council more ‘pro-active’ instead of ‘re-active’. I would like to see a plan developed with goals set for the development of new housing, new business employers, and enhance the quality of life in Marion.”
Q: What actions would you be willing to take if there is a budget shortfall?
A: There are many actions that could be taken, but there are many factors to be considered such as how big a shortfall, is it something unforeseen like the $4-a-gallon gasoline prices a couple of years ago or a mistake in the budget request for one department? A couple of actions would be to delay new equipment purchases or having a freeze put on expenditures. The last, and I mean the last resort, would be to raise fees, taxes, or mill levies.
Q: What are your qualifications for this office?
A: I have been active in and past president of several civic organizations such as the Arts Council, Marion City Library, the Special Events Board for the Chamber of Commerce, and Marion Kiwanis Club. I managed a men’s clothing store and a gift store for 10 years in Marion. During my service with the Kansas Army National Guard, I held several leadership positions including four years as a senior instructor at the Kansas Military Academy in Salina. I spent 10 years as a territory manager for a wholesale firm with the responsibility for sales in the entire State of Kansas. I believe I can bring a lot of knowledge and experience about business areas — both local and statewide — to the council.
Q: Personal information?
A: Except for a decade when I was young and foolish, I have lived my entire life in Marion. I met my wife, Pam, when we both were students at Emporia State University and we have been married for more than 40 years. We have two children who live and work in the Kansas City area.
I retired last year, but still write a monthly column for a newspaper in the Newton area. My wife works as a para-educator at the Marion Elementary School. I’m a member and a deacon of Marion Christian Church. I was in the Army serving in Vietnam for 18 months in the late 1960s. I retired in 2000 from the Kansas Army National Guard with more than 20 years of service. I like sports, but most of all, I love to fish.
Q: Other information?
A: Many local people complain about the state of the city, and yes, we do have problems, but I don’t think we realize how many blessings we have. We have a fine school system with the new Performing Arts Center and the Sports and Aquatic Center, a multimillion dollar hospital expansion being built, the showcase of the former Elgin Hotel, almost a dozen restaurants open, a new youth center being built, a beautiful library, and two wonderful lakes that draw nearly a million visitors a year.
Special events like Chingawassa Days, Art in the Park, and Old Settlers’ Day attract thousands of people to Marion every year. I used to travel all over the state and I can tell you there are many towns the size of Marion and larger that would kill to get just a couple of these attractions. I would like to serve on the city council to make sure that we continue to improve our community.