Editor’s note: To help readers make their voting choices in the Nov. 5 general election for local offices, The Journal, the Kansas Leadership Center’s quarterly magazine, sent out a survey to more than 250 candidates in communities where our magazine’s readership is the largest. What follows is information from your local candidates, in their own words.
Update: Click here for Tuesday’s unofficial election results.
Pittsburg City Commission
Sarah Chenoweth, candidate for Pittsburg City Commission
Please provide a brief introduction and a description of why you are running for office.
My name is Sarah Chenoweth and I’m running for re-election to the Pittsburg City Commission to ensure that the progressive momentum we have right now in our community continues.
Should you be elected, what is the single most important issue that you would like to see improvement on during your term in office? Please write a few sentences explaining your choice.
reating sustainable energy solutions. Pittsburg is currently studying the feasibility of creating our own electric utility to lower rates for residents and businesses. Whether or not we ultimately do that, we need to incorporate renewable energy into our solution to lower rates.
As an office holder, how would you try to mobilize efforts to address the important issue you identified above? If you have a sense of specific steps you might take, please share those.
Hold public meetings, host social media conversations, speak to groups about the importance of sustainable energy solutions for our community.
To what extent are you concerned about the future of health care in your community?
To a great extent
Do you see health care as being primarily a local issue or a regional one?
Regional issue
What role, if any, does local government have to play in ensuring the availability of health care in your community?
Create economic conditions to support quality healthcare facilities and practitioners.
How would you prioritize health care in comparison to other issues that you expect to deal with while serving in office?
Pittsburg’s need for more mental healthcare and substance abuse treatment facilities is great, but currently we have the best healthcare options in the region, so it’s a lower priority here than other places.
Larry D. Fields, candidate for Pittsburg City Commission
Please provide a brief introduction and a description of why you are running for office.
I had a long and successful career in the transportation business, retired and moved back to my hometown. I want to see Pittsburg continue to grow, provide good jobs and a real quality of life for everyone who chooses to live here.
Should you be elected, what is the single most important issue that you would like to see improvement on during your term in office? Please write a few sentences explaining your choice.
Real transparency and allow everyone to be heard.
As an office holder, how would you try to mobilize efforts to address the important issue you identified above? If you have a sense of specific steps you might take, please share those.
Provide advance information on all issues concerning the public. Improve the participation of meetings and committees.
To what extent are you concerned about the future of health care in your community?
To a moderate extent
Do you see health care as being primarily a local issue or a regional one?
Regional issue
What role, if any, does local government have to play in ensuring the availability of health care in your community?
Local government always has a role even if it is just welcoming and providing assistance wherever possible.
How would you prioritize health care in comparison to other issues that you expect to deal with while serving in office?
Pittsburg is fortunate to have very good health care for a city our size. Our hospital and clinics serve a rather large area.
The Journal did not receive responses to its survey from Pittsburg City Commission candidates Dan McNally, Chad McCubbin, Chuck Munsell and Cheryl L. Brooks.
