Four seek election to public administrator's office

Monday, July 21, 2008

TAMMY BOND

Tammy Bond, Nevada, is the office manager at Bowman's Vernon County Title. She is a life-long resident of Vernon County.

Public offices held, civic groups, etc.

As my children were growing up, I was involved in PTO at Bryan, Benton, and Truman schools; Little League Football; Parent Boosters of Nevada football and wrestling; Boy Scout Troop 42; Lonestar 4-H Club; and Vernon County 4-H Council Barbecue Committee. I have been involved in the Vernon County Youth Fair both as a youth participant (many years ago!) and an adult volunteer over the years. Through my employment, I have attended both the chamber of commerce and the Five County Board of Realtors. Since my sons have graduated high school and are both now attending college. I'm seeking opportunities to serve the community in other ways.

For voters who may not be aware, briefly explain the duties and responsibilities of the public administrator's office.

Prior to filing as a candidate for this position, I talked to Virginia Habjan, who has served in the position for the past 20 years. There are many aspects to the office, but I believe that Virginia summed it up well with the description below.

The public administrator has two main duties. (1) The public administrator is the guardian and conservator for persons assigned by the probate court, and (2) personal representative for decedents found in the county. The Public Administrator is called for deaths in the county when no family can be located. The duty is to preserve assets until family can be located, or to handle the estate when no one is available.

The Vernon County Public Administrator is currently responsible for more than 100 people throughout the county who cannot take care of their own business and personal decisions. The tasks involved include paying monthly bills, reporting to the court annually, Medicare and Medicaid billing and payments, care plan meetings, working with local agencies to find the best services for clients, and any other service the clients may need. The Public administrator is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

What experience qualifies you for the office?

I feel uniquely qualified to take on the responsibilities of the Public Administrator's office given my 22 years of banking experience assisting customers with all aspects of personal finances with everything from loans to balancing their accounts. In addition to assisting individual customers, as Operations and Compliance Officer, I was responsible for internal financial issues such as payroll, personnel training, internal auditing, and compliance with regulatory agencies.

In addition to my banking experience, I also bring nine years experience as the office manager at Bowman's Vernon County Title Co., which involves coordinating real estate transactions with buyers, sellers, realtors, attorneys, and financial institutions.

Even more important than my business, finance and real estate knowledge, I bring first-hand experience having handled my mother's affairs the last seven years of her life. Working closely with family, medical personnel, insurance, and service agencies, I coordinated the efforts to overcome challenges while meeting the common goal of caring for her needs. It was at this time that I developed a compassion for assisting those in need.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for the public administrator's office?

I believe the biggest challenge in the future will be the increase in the elderly population which could lead to an increase in the number of citizens needing the services of the Public Administrator at a time when state and federal agencies are experiencing cutbacks in funding for some essential services for these clients.

What do you think are the most important qualities in a candidate for public administrator?

Compassion, dedication, honesty and sound judgment to make the best decisions for the clients.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

In addition to having the professional skills and experience needed to handle the day-to-day affairs for those who are unable to do so for themselves, I have the desire and the compassion to assist the clients in a way that maintains their dignity, confidentiality, and independence. If elected, I intend to job shadow Virginia for several weeks prior to taking office. I feel this will help ensure a smooth transition process for the clients.

What is the most important thing for voters to know about you?

I believe that life is short and we need to enjoy each day. Family and friends are important. My husband, Eddy Bond, my two sons, Cody and Cole, my siblings, Patty Gauthier, Marilee Claypool, Debbie Selby, and Randy Handly, along with close friends and other family members each bring an extra special joy to my life.

If we each reach out with a helping hand to someone around us, it can make a world of difference to a person in need. Understanding that is what causes me to want to give back to my community. To have the job of Public Administrator would be an honor.

What other issues do you think are important, and why?

I believe the most important issue for voters in this or any other election is to understand both the skills needed to do the job and the qualifications of each candidate running for the position. This allows citizens to elect the candidate who will serve the community best. The majority of people in Vernon County will not need the services of the Public Administrator and, therefore, have not interacted with the office. In fact, a large percentage are not aware of the many duties of the Public Administrator. I hope through this process, all local residents will develop an understanding of the personal and financial decisions which must be made for others, along with the recordkeeping and reporting to the court which require sound business and financial judgment. But more importantly, I hope residents understand that this job is about people and families. All of the financial and business decisions must be handled with compassion for those being served.

I believe my 31 years of business experience along with my desire and compassion to serve people make me the ideal candidate.


ARCH FORKNER

Arch Forkner, Richards, is a farmer, insurance agent and seed salesman.

He is a lifetime resident of Vernon County, except for the time he served in the U.S. Army.

Public offices held, civic groups, etc.

Vernon County Northern Commissioner, Metz Town-ship board member, Metz School Board member, Soil and Water Board and SOS.

For voters who may mot be aware, briefly explain the duties and responsibilities of the public administrator's office.

The public administrator serves the public as needed. He works with the Department of Mental Health as guardian and/or conservator for mentally disabled people. He is also the personal representative of deceased persons estates and as conservator of minor's estates. Part of his job is to be a friend to clients and to be a listener in time of frustration.

What experience qualifies you for the office?

I've worked with farmers and large elevators in the seed industry. I started and owned Forkner Crop Insurance Agency from 1987 to 2007. I was the former NC+ Hybrids territory salesman for Missouri and Kansas for 10 years, supervising up to six salesmen. NC+ Hybrids has since been purchased by Monsanto. I also worked with troubled people as a church lay member.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for the public administrator's office?

Determining each clients needs and how best to meet those needs.

What do you think are the most important qualities in a candidate for public administrator?

Availability, good judgment and being a concerned listener.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

Since I am a widower, I am available to help anytime. I am willing to work with all agencies involved in helping clients in all circumstances.

What is the most important thing for voters to know about you?

I will do my best to serve needy people.

I am trying to live a life that honors God. I enjoy working.

What other issues do you think are important, and why?

For this and any public office, qualified people should be elected who will use wisdom to meet people's needs.

Since government agencies and government are involved, care must be taken to use available funds wisely.


JUDY STARK

Judy Stark, Nevada, is a child support clerk at the Vernon County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. She is a lifelong resident of Vernon County.

Public offices held, civic groups, etc.

I have never held a public office position. I am a member of the American Red Cross Volunteer for Disasters. When I was the Director of Community Outreach I was a member of the Ministerial Alliance, Catholic Charities and Salvation Army. I have worked on committees for the Nevada High School Band and Swing Choir.

For voters who may not be aware briefly explain the duties and responsibilities of the public administrator's office.

A public administrator may be appointed by the Probate Division of the Circuit Court to be a guardian or conservator. If appointed as guardian the public administrator has responsibility for the care of the physical care and custody of a minor or of an adult who has been legally determined to be incapacitated. The Public Administrator must make decisions about the individual's care, treatment, shelter, education, support and maintenance by utilizing agencies services.

If appointed as conservator the public administrator has the duties of managing the property of a minor or of an adult who has been found to be disabled to such an extent that the person lacks ability to manage his or her financial resources. The Public Administrator would then be responsible for paying the bills and protecting and managing the protectee's financial assets.

As a guardian or conservator the public administrator must make decisions for the physical care, and management of the financial assets, that are in the best interests of the person being protected.

What experience qualifies you for the office?

I have worked many years in different jobs with responsibility for the financial management of the care facilities that are utilized by many of the individuals that are in the care of the public administrator. I worked for Easy Living at the group homes and ISL's now known as Skills Unlimited, and Moore-Few Care Center. I handled the patient trust accounts by paying the monthly obligations such as room and board, rent, groceries and giving out spending money. I was responsible for completing end of the year paperwork for Social Security that totaled all payments and deposits for each client and being annually audited by the State of Missouri. I have gained through my work at the Prosecuting Attorney's Office a knowledge of the court system by preparing and filing legal documents for court.

The public administrator is often called upon to participate in court procedures affecting her work as guardian or conservator. From the State of Missouri, I received the highest score for compliance ever received by the prosecutor's office since it began collecting child support -- a 96- percent compliance with all the requirements of the State Child Support Contract Cooperative Agreement in 2007.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for the public administrator's office?

I see the biggest challenge for this public administrator's office is helping the existing individuals who are in the care of the public administrator adapt to change. Some of the people will adapt well to it and others will have a hard time adjusting. They are used to the current administrator. A new public administrator will bring them out of their comfort zone. The new public administrator will need to gain their trust.

What do you think are the most important qualities in a candidate for public administrator?

The candidate must have financial skills and personal skills working for individuals going through difficult times of their lives by being compassionate, understanding, trustworthy, having openness, fairness, assertiveness and creativity. A sense of humor won't hurt either.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

My present and past work experiences have led me to this position. I have court experience. I have experience keeping financial records for annual and various reports. I am best able to utilize the agencies that provide the daily care of the individuals that have been placed in the care of the Public Administrator, because I have worked for and with these agencies. I have helped individual's complete paperwork for Child Support, Social Security, Division of Family Support, Insurance Companies, Funeral homes, Housing Agencies, Division of Mental Retarda-tion/Disabilities and court. I will be on call 24/7, 365 days a year, day or night.

What is the most important thing for voters to know about you?

The different jobs I have had all are about helping people. I have a heart for the people who are in the care of the public administrator. I am compassionate, understanding, and trustworthy and will be accountable to the people placed under my care.

What other issues do you think are important , and why?

I would like to see more modernization in the public administrator's office.

There are several computer programs that could help with the organization of the many duties and responsibilities of the public administrator.


KEVIN A. WILLIAMS

Kevin A. Williams, of Milo, is seeking election to the office of Vernon County Public Administrator.

Born and reared in Vernon County, Williams has lived in Vernon County for most of his life, except for a short period spent in Springfield, Mo., after his graduation from Southwest Missouri State University.

Public offices held and civic groups, etc.

Alderman for the town of Milo, eight years.

Nevada Griffons Board of Directors, six years.

For voters who may not be aware, briefly explain the duties and responsibilities of the public administrator's office.

Most importantly, it is the public adminstrator's responsibility to handle the affairs of and look after those individuals in our county who, for whatever reason, are unable to handle that responsibility themselves. The public administrator may also be called upon to settle the estates of individuals who did not make provision for the handling of their estates prior to their deaths.

What experience qualifies you for the office?

My work in the mental health field and in social service organizations as a case manager, coupled with my education and experience communicating with government agencies locally and on state and federal levels qualifies me for this office.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for the public administrator's office?

Fulfilling the duties of the office without losing compassion and understanding for the people I would be serving.

What do you think are the most important qualities in a candidate for public administrator?

Compassion and understanding, respect, professionalism and trustworthiness.

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

My education and experience in mental health and social service fields have prepared me for and make me the best candidate for the office of public administrator.

What is the most important thing for voters to know about you?

That I have the education, experience and dedication needed to be the next Vernon County Public Administrator. Also, that I see all elected officials as servants of the people and will do my best to be a servant to the residents under my care and all Vernon Countians.

What other issues do you think are important, and why?

I think that the most important issue in this or any campaign is that people compare the experience and education of the candidates and vote accordingly. Obviously, I would love to have the support of every Vernon County resident, but not because they recognize my name, but because they compared my education and experience to that of my opponents and concluded that I am the most suitable candidate for the job.

In relation to the future of the public administrator's office, I feel that the challenge of the position is going to become greater and greater as the economy continues to tighten. It is going to become ever more important to have someone in this position who has experience and background in Social Service organization. I feel that I have that experience and would appreciate the opportunity to serve the residents of Vernon County as their next public administrator.

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