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County candidates speak at forum
The second portion of questions and answers at Friday's candidate forum hosted by On My Own, Inc. was for those seeking the positions of northern district commissioner, sheriff and public administrator. Executive director of On My Own Inc., Jennifer Gundy, served as host and moderator.
Candidates for northern district commissioner were asked how each would make the fairgrounds, courthouse and courtrooms more accessible to the handicapped.
Incumbent northern district commissioner, Neal Gerster began by stating, "The fairgrounds is near and dear to my heart. I should point out that in recent years, almost every building out there has been rebuilt. The fair board and committees got grants and did a lot of the work themselves. Parking is a problem but if the county would partner with the various committees, we could solve that one as well."
Candidate Cindy Thompson, a realtor and owner of rental properties said, "There are now designated handicapped parking spots out there by the bathrooms which weren't there before. I believe this is an important issue and we should collaborate to make sure a restroom is fully accessible as well. It seems to me, we need to get this done."
Thompson took the lead on addressing the courthouse and courtroom issue.
"I went and pretended I was handicapped," began Thompson. "Yes, there is an elevator but for someone with a wheelchair it's no picnic. But when I got to the courtroom, I had to ask for permission to enter through the lawyer's door and then sit in front of the divider because the other way has stairs and everything is screwed down. I think the needed changes should be part of the heritage project to renovate the courthouse."
"Eventually we're going to have to remodel the courtrooms and I think dealing with this will be part of such a remodel," said Gerster.
Sheriff Jason Mosher was asked how he addresses the needs of disabled inmates including mobility issues and medications.
"The jail was designed with a medical cell located next to the nurse's office," said Mosher. "It is handicapped accessible and allows us to give the inmate whatever is needed. We have a full time nurse and a doctor can come in three times a week since it is not uncommon to have diabetics or those needing other things."
The sheriff pointed out some medications, such as opioids, pose a problem for use in the jail and so the physician is asked if something else can be substituted.
The other question directed to the sheriff asked how much of a priority is CIT training for the sheriff's office.
"Half of my staff has already received Crisis Intervention Training," began Mosher.
The sheriff explained the typical law enforcement approach involved an air of command and control. He said it is not wrong or right but is the way most people are who have been trained in law enforcement.
"CIT is a week long training which can help you communicate in different ways and understand communication barriers which then must be handled differently."
"The grant originally funded one member of the Nevada police department and one sheriff's deputy to be trained at a time," said Mosher. "That grant ran out and I'm trying to find other funding. The grant covers the cost of travel and lodging for one week. Because it's for a whole week, I also have to juggle schedules to cover that person's shift. I also think its important we train not just our deputies but also the jail staff. In our chaplain unit, some of them have CIT training."
Directed to the candidates for commissioner, an audience member asked if it would be better if the townships were abolished and consolidate the road and bridge services with the county since they have the funding and equipment.
Gerster responded saying, "A petition would have to be brought the commission and if it had enough signatures, it would go to a vote of the people. But here's what I think would happen. Washington and Center townships would make themselves their own special road district. And that raises the problem of having a levy to fund and make such a consolidation work."
Gerster related the experience of Lincoln County, north of St. Louis, which abolished townships but failed to adopt a levy to fund the new system, which created significant problems.
Thompson said, "I've visited with a number of our township boards and I know some on each side of this issue. But in the end, it's not commissioner driven, it's citizen driven. But whatever we do, I think it's critical we should be open and objective about what this all means and that we are prepared whatever way we go."
"I should explain that the county right now gives each township a little from our CART funds," said Gerster.
The County Aid Road Trust was one of the first revenue sharing programs in Missouri. Adopted in 1962, it returns a portion of the gasoline taxes collected by the state to the cities and counties. Later, a portion of license and registration fees was added to the shared funds.
Gerster added, "Now there's no law or rule we have to do this but we give each township $8,500 and when you multiply that by 20 townships it adds up to a lot of money the commission could use for other needs. But obviously, the townships are the county. We require the townships use it for rock hauling and some can put oil on the roads but if they don't spend it they have to reimburse it."
The incumbent public administrator, Tammy Bond, was earlier commended by State Rep. Patricia Pike for her effective lobbying effort to increase the spend down limit. Gundy praised her smart and caring approach to clients with disabilities.
"I have clients who need dentures or a hearing aid but with the spend down and asset limits, there was no way to save up the necessary funds," said Bond. "So I and others from our state association gathered up some clients and went from office to office, to anyone who would listen and earlier this year, those rules were changed and now public administrators like myself can give the help our clients deserve."