Candidates make pitch for two council seats
Primary election is Tuesday
Staff reporter
Jobs, city planning, retaining youth in the community, economic development, and customer service were important topics discussed Sunday by five candidates for Marion City Council.
It also was pointed out that the candidates offer voters diversity.
And it's true.
Kathleen DeFilippis is a bookkeeper. Gerry Henderson is a retired superintendent of schools. Bill Holdeman is a local barber. Jerry Kline is retired from Martin Marietta. Steve Smith is the county emergency medical services director.
Because there are five candidates for two seats, a primary election is required to eliminate one candidate. The primary election is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 229 Walnut, Marion.
The top four candidates then will face off for the two positions in the general election April 1.
The five candidates participated Sunday afternoon in a presentation at Marion Senior Center which gave constituents an opportunity to hear views and goals.
The event was organized by Citizens for an Informed Government with Ed Davies as chairman. Nick Nickelson was moderator for Sunday's event with Marion High School senior Brett Billings as timekeeper.
The candidates were given 10 questions prior to the forum with each answering two of those questions that were drawn randomly. Individual questions were answered by the candidates with no two candidates responding to the same question.
The order for candidates to respond was selected at random and that order was kept during the 60-minute forum.
Each candidate was given three minutes for opening statements, two minutes to respond to each question, and two minutes for closing statements.
No audience participation was permitted so there were no questions from the audience.
Following are the responses of each candidate.
Katherine DeFilippis
"I have a little secret," DeFilippis said in her opening statement. "I'm new in town."
She explained that she has lived in a lot of different cities, primarily in Kansas. The most recent was in Virginia where she opened a 1,200 employee call center.
"We built it up from scratch with an empty building," she said. "It took a lot of energy and I gained a lot of experience."
DeFilippis said her contract ended in September 2007, and she had the opportunity to sign on for another call center but her family wanted her to move closer to them. When she came to Marion, she was impressed with the city.
"I loved the city when I drove to town," she said, "the history and architecture, the possibilities are endless."
The primary complaint seems to be not being able to keep youth in town.
"The only solution is jobs, using a tax abatement program, and the economic development organization," DeFilippis said.
She said she was recently married to Marion County employee Gerald Benshoof and did not change her name because the DeFilippis name is better known in the political arena.
If not elected, DeFilippis will continue to work within the community.
Question 1: "What are your ideas to promote involvement and volunteerism in the community?"
"Basically with any issue you have to market it," DeFilippis said. She continued that the city is perfectly located and has the potential to be a prosperous city.
She said instead of "thinking outside of the box," Marion needs to "get out of the box."
"There are a lot of programs out there," DeFilippis said, tax abatements, grants, and other programs that could build the community.
People need to get motivated and get on the band wagon.
She also supports Marion Chamber of Commerce which can be a powerful force which would lead to more volunteerism in the city, she said.
Question 2: "What do you see as the most important issue of Marion and its future?"
DeFilippis said jobs, infrastructure, and customer services are the most important issues.
"Marion lacks customer service," she said.
During the first two weeks that she lived here, DeFilippis went into downtown stores and probably wouldn't go back if she didn't have to.
"There are programs available to help customer service," she said. Customers need to feel welcome and should want to come back.
She also wants the community to come together for activities and events instead of waiting for a disaster to bring the community to work for a common cause.
DeFilippis also would like to see more youth involved in activities.
In her closing statement, DeFilippis said as a former council member in Kansas City, she was elected in April and two months later the mayor became ill. DeFilippis said she was appointed mayor pro-tem during the development of Kansas Speedway.
"After two months on the council I had to learn the procedure of eminent domain for 27 homes," she said.
DeFilippis said she was a part of a council that built new schools, fire department, police department, libraries, streets, sewers, and water plants.
"We need to utilize the tools available to us so we can get the job done so taxes don't have to be raised," she said.
Council members are the voices of the residents.
"People can't complain about what's being done unless they let the council know," DeFilippis said.
Gerry Henderson
In Henderson's opening statement, he said that one reason that he filed for a council seat was to be more involved in this level of government.
He said he had been disappointed during the past 20 years that government entities give people opportunities to be cynical.
"People encouraged me to file," Henderson said. "I believe that I have the skills to bring people around to share ideas and goals."
He continued that the USD 408 board of education took a chance in hiring a "58-year-old rookie as superintendent." The first thing Henderson was told when he was hired in 1998 was to "take the schools to the community and make the community feel like the schools are theirs."
Henderson said he convinced 25 citizens to dedicated two and one-half days at a retreat to determine the goals of the schools.
"It's what needs to happen here," he said, referring to the city. "People need to dedicate some time to determine their goals." And he would like the opportunity to facilitate that.
Question 1: "What would you do to promote city parks and other recreations beneficial to both youth and adults and what would you specifically do to bring youth to Marion and keep our young graduates here?"
Henderson said the only thing that keeps people here beyond graduation is jobs.
"The only reason people stay and the only reason people leave is because of jobs," he said. "We need to keep those already here, here."
He continued that recreational facilities needed to serve all residents. The question needs to be asked of residents: "Do we have what we need?" Before going any further with decisions there needs to be a clear perception of what people want.
Question 2: "What methods would you promote to upgrade city utilities and also to maintain city streets for longevity at minimum cost?"
"Can't be done," Henderson said. "Minimum cost means minimal services. You can't do good 'whats' without the best 'hows'."
He continued that if streets and utilities are a priority, it has to be determined who is responsible and how it is going to be accomplished.
In Henderson's closing statement, he said the city can see improvements if there is a clear understanding of what we want.
"Whether the fracture in our community is real or perceived, it is with us," he said. "I see it every day.
"I hope that somehow in the next couple of years we can change that by learning how to agree to disagree and set goals."
Henderson said the school district had accomplished its goals with their new facilities.
"It (planning) began nine years ago," he said, "not just in the past four or five years."
The school board had as a part of its plan to wait until one bond issue was paid before pursuing another bond issue and project.
Bill Holdeman
"I've lived in Marion for 25 years," Holdeman said in his opening statement. He has served on the Marion City Council for the past two years and wants the opportunity to continue working for the betterment of the community.
"In the past two years we have accomplished many things," he continued, working with the school district on the pool project and water plant update.
Holdeman said the community has an opportunity to sponsor a Cal Ripkin baseball tournament this July and wants new handicap-accessible bathrooms at the baseball complex in time for the tournament.
Development of the city's industrial park and improvements in the downtown business district also are priorities to him.
Question 1: "Marion has a fire department and police department. What percent of the budget should public safety departments be given, considering their needs for training and equipment?"
Holdeman said he didn't have a percentage in mind regarding the appropriate budget amounts for each department but said the fire department currently has a budget of $36,216 for 2008, slightly more than the previous year, and the police department has a budget of $307,941, an increase of $16,000 from 2007.
Question 2: "How does a special tax levy, community and utility promotion fund, industrial revenue bonds, and property tax abatements play a part in the development of commerce and industry in the city of Marion?"
Holdeman responded that the city had options and mentioned other opportunities also available.
In closing, Holdeman reiterated that interest and involvement will keep the Marion community alive and encouraged residents to vote.
Jerry Kline
"Two years ago I was elected to the city council," Kline said in his opening comments. "We've had some trying days but we have accomplished things.
"I want to go on record that I do not want to be on the council forever but it would be a waste not to use my experience and be able to finish some projects," Kline said.
He continued that his focus is economic development.
"If we don't have anything going on with new businesses and help existing businesses, we're going to die," Kline said.
Existing businesses have to be made strong before attracting new businesses.
Kline, who recently retired, said he had more time to spend as a council member and will continue to make Marion his home.
"I hope to have another chance to do four years and then I'm done," he said.
Question 1: "How would you promote business development in the industrial park and downtown district?"
"We have been doing it," Kline said. "Things sometimes happen so gradually some don't notice it."
Kline said he supported an active economic development director or committee, which is "what I said two years ago and the reason I ran for office."
He continued that he had heard talk on the street, which sometimes wasn't quite right, of reasons why the city didn't get a business.
"The key is an economic development director and a council willing to promote incentives," Kline said.
He also encourages new construction and expansion of existing businesses.
"Marion has turned that corner," Kline said. "We have accomplished some things and some more jobs."
Question 2: "What are the benefits to the city under interlocal contracts (i.e. sharing a county engineer, etc.)?"
Anytime efforts can be combined to save tax dollars and share facilities, there is a direct benefit to both entities, Kline said.
He used the example of the cooperation between USD 408 and the city for a new indoor pool and gymnasium.
"The city provided the land for the pool and gym, saving taxpayers in both tax districts," Kline said.
However, he doesn't think it would work to share engineers with the county because many of the city's projects require specialized services.
Providing experience in the construction industry is one of Kline's strong points, he said in his closing remarks.
"We do have to work together," he said. "It seems like we haven't had that."
Kline complimented the former city commission in accomplishing goals that are enjoyed today.
"When you step into the office, there are things that you're not aware of," he said. Following the budget is important to keep taxes from increasing.
Kline added the he doesn't have a hidden agenda and wants economic development to continue which will bring in more jobs.
Steve Smith
Voters were encouraged by Smith to make the right choice for them. He wants the community to be as strong as possible and keep up with the times.
"We have to keep our businesses alive," he said. "We need to be financially sound. When they profit, the community profits."
Smith said the school district has made great steps in improving the community and the city will have many opportunities to host events because of the facilities.
"We have great community leaders," Smith said, but we need more of them.
More youth and younger people need to be involved in the community which is one of the reasons he is running for office.
"This community has supported me and my family and taken my family through tough times," he said, and it was time for him to give back.
Question 1: "How does the comprehensive plan benefit the city of Marion?"
Smith said the questions had to be asked of "What is a comprehensive plan?" "What do we expect from the future and how do we do it?"
Needs have to be determined, he said, which are always changing.
Individuals and businesses have comprehensive plans as does the school district and hospital district.
"You and I have to work together to accomplish this," Smith said.
Question 2: "What is your view of the responsibility and purpose of the Marion City Council?"
Promoting Marion from within the government, Smith said.
"We're here to make sure the city survives the next 30 years, prospers and grows," he said.
Input and guidance from public are necessary for council members to know which direction to go.
Smith responded that the chief responsibility is to make sure the city runs smoothly. The council also is responsible for finding more economic ways for the city to prosper, and make the city's economy stable so youth will return to the community.
"It's pretty simple," he said. "The council is responsible for making the city thrive but needs input from the public and active participation.
"This is the time for change. This is our opportunity and we need to take advantage of it," Smith said.
In his closing statements, Smith said the candidates were all trying to accomplish the same thing — prosperity and jobs for youth.
"Eight months ago I wasn't sure if I would remain in this community," he said. Smith continued that he knows what's out there and what he faced in making the decision to stay.
Achieving goals is not easy and it will take time, Smith said. There is no cure in two years.
"We need to take steps now. It is time for change. With your help we can do that," he said.
