Vernon County races profiled

Editor's note: This is the second in a two-part series on the election forum hosted by the Nevada Vernon County Chamber of Commerce. The first story focused on the national and state representative races and appeared in Friday's Daily Mail.

By Floyd Jernigan

Nevada Daily Mail

Candidates for Vernon County offices took part in the election forum at Cottey College Tuesday night.

Presiding Commissioner

Each candidate gave an opening statement on why he or she was running.

Democrat Bonnie McCord, noted, "I have a passion for county government. I am prepared and ready to serve."

Republican challenger Joe Hardin said he was running to "represent my family and yours. This is a great opportunity to serve and make a difference in the lives of everyone."

Speaking on her vision for Vernon County, McCord said that would center on "fiscal responsibility. We're in excellent financial position today, but we are seeing cutbacks in the state reimbursement funds." She was hopeful that the I-49 corridor would provide a stimulus for economic growth.

Hardin said his vision would focus on financial stability, safety, and work for people, with the ability to "solve your problems and create opportunities for youth. I bring a new set of eyes." He said hewanted healthy relationships among departments and government entities.

The final question focused on each candidate's strongest skills.

"I am educated, energetic, business savvy, and the father of three young daughters.

"I have a bachelor's degree in business management and an accounting minor. I run a successful small business and I have the work ethic and personality to solve problems. I enjoy working with others and I want to improve our way of conducting business."

McCord pointed to her degree in business administration, with a minor in accounting.

"I enjoy budget preparation and I have experience in preparing 22 county budgets. During that time, we have received 11 successful audits. (Audit periods are two years.)

"We have repaired close to 300 bridges in the county. Unfortunately, I can't help you with roads. That's the township boards responsibility.

"I have a working knowledge of the office.

"I have successfully written grants for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"I show my dedication," she said, by "networking with state associations," to monitor legislation that may have a negative impact on the county.

Circuit Court Clerk

Republican Moria Randall said, "I enjoy helping other people. I have 20 years of experience in the office," in her opening statement on why she was running.

Democrat Carrie Poe said, "I have a passion for the court system, with broad experience. I have 16 years in the office. I want to provide exceptional customer service and maintain the integrity of the court."

The first question asked each candidate what her three most important responsibilities for the office would be.

"Be a good leader and have a good attitude," said Randall. "Exhibit an excellent work ethic. And be compassionate and friendly."

Poe said, "Provide professional and courteous customer service. Process and maintain accurate court records. Display a knowledge of legislation and how it affects our jobs."

Both were asked if their skills would equip them for the job.

Poe listed her knowledge of clerical duties, and of different type cases, including domestic, juvenile, traffic, child support, small claims, contracts and dissolutions.

"I can multi-task. I am dependable. I am willing to go the extra step. I am available after hours for law enforcement should they need me.

"I am considerate. I attend training courses, including most recently a course on 'How to improve the court system.'"

Randall said, "During my 20 years in the clerk's office, I have attended numerous training courses through the Office of the State Court in criminal, civil, probate, traffic, accounting, legislative updates, and e-filing."

Clerk of the County Commission

Paula Messner, Democrat, said, "I enjoy helping others. I believe it's important to give back. I have worked in the office for seven years, providing services and developing the budget."

Republican Mike Buehler noted, "I moved here 10 years ago." He said he was inspired by his parents and grandparents' pride in the county.

"I have worked for seven years as the jail administrator at the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. During that time I have worked with budgeting, policies and procedures. I have 17 years in public safety."

Asked the biggest issue facing the county, Messner said, "We have two office workers who are retiring by the end of the year and three new employees in training.

I will be the most experienced person in the office.

I do payroll, employee benefits, budgets, accounts payable, I certify taxes, I can make a tax form and I have helped with tax collections. I can also help you register to vote." She said she has also worked on liquor licenses, helped certify notaries, worked on elections, done inventory, and is knowledgeable in computer skills and programming.

Buehler said, "Without proper evaluation of the office," it would be difficult to list the top three.

"I am glad my opponent knows all this stuff. I will need her when I take office in January."

Asked about how each would plan to work with the other county offices, Buehler responded that, "for the past seven years as the jail administrator, I have worked with other offices. I have worked with commissioners on the budget for the jail. I have worked with the recorder of deeds on property search warrants.

"I've never had an issue. We're all a team in the county and we work to get things taken care of for the citizens of Vernon County."

Messner said, "We communicate with the other offices." She added that from her experience, this was not something that other counties always do.

She pointed to her work with the treasurer to make sure the county balances its funds each month, and to her work with the assessor on property values.

"It's our responsibility to make sure they are correct.

"Once the tax levies are certified, we also work to get the correct billing.

"I prepare the budget and keep it balanced. Once a department gets to 95 percent (spent) of their budget, I notify the office head. I also do the accounts payable for other offices in the county."

Prosecuting attorney

Republican Brandi McInroy recounted her nine years working in the court system, with seven years in criminal law with the public defender's office, and two in the 28th Circuit Juvenile Office.

"I'm dedicated to Vernon County. It's my home and I want do my part to make the community a better place."

Democrat Lynn Ewing said, "I would like to continue the privilege of serving the residents of Vernon County. I am an experienced prosecuting attorney, with 31 years of practice, with 16 years in the prosecuting attorney's office.

The candidates were asked the top three responsibilities of the office.

"To maintain professionalism, to make decisions to protect the public, and to follow, enforce, and uphold the law, to treat all parties with sensitivity," said McInroy.

"Clear, effective communication with all parties is needed." She said she wanted to provide education and guidance, ranging from the victims to law enforcement.

"Everyone needs to feel like they will be heard." She said decisions need to be made to protect the public, deter future actions, and address the action being weighed at the time.

Ewing referred to his "brief six page outline of the prosecutor's office and duties," that he had available at his table in the front lobby.

"The top three responsibilities are prosecution, prosecution, prosecution.

"There are dozens of responsibilities imposed upon the prosecuting attorney's office," including acting as the lawyer for the county and its elected officials.

Responding to the question of the challenges of the office, Ewing said, "The role of prosecutor in America is different than the role of lawyers in general, and particularly a lawyer who is defending a client charged with a crime. The role of the prosecutor is not to win at all costs, or to seek the maximum sentence in each case. Prosecutors are required by court rules, the law, and standards for prosecution to seek justice. Prosecutors are not the police. A prosecutor is a lawyer for the people as a whole, but standing with victims, with the police on one side who have investigated a crime, and the defendant on the other who is charged with a crime.

"Imagine a car wreck involving a teenager who makes a bad decision behind the wheel of a car and injures another person. Now, consider your view of a criminal charge against the teenager if you are the spouse of the injured person, or the parents of the teenage driver. The prosecutor is charged with determining the facts, and then he can tell victim and defendant what the criminal law says about the facts -- was there a crime committed, and if so what crime. The prosecutor must follow the law. He must make charging decisions based on the law and not succumb to political pressure sought to be imposed on him by victims or the public."

Brandi McInroy answered, "Communication must be effective, otherwise the parties are not being satisfied."

She said she would "work toward a more efficient process."

"We must address repeat offenders. That's a growing concern in the community. We must hold criminals accountable while we are building and improving relationships in the community.

"It's important to address criminal activity in Vernon County.

"We must offer solutions to help each citizen. And that requires a lot of hard work, dedication and knowledge.

"I welcome the challenge."