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Ferry, Claspill face off in coroner's race
JASON CLASPILL
Jason Claspill, a Republican, is seeking election to the Vernon County Coroner's Office.
What do you see as the most important function of this office you seek?
First and foremost the most important duty of the coroner is death investigations such as accidental deaths, unexplained deaths, suicide or homicide. In the investigation of these deaths, a coroner may be responsible for post-mortem examination if the cause of death is unknown. However, I believe that beyond the mandates for the office, the coroner should provide prompt, compassionate, and equal service to everyone in the county. As an elected official, the coroner should have the responsibility to provide the necessary services when called upon at the site of a death, but also the coroner needs to have the responsibility to help the citizens of the county be informed of preventive methods to help ensure the safety of all citizens.
How would you improve the office?
As coroner, I plan to make this office more proactive by expanding services within the county. Over the past few months, I have been in contact with various coroners' offices nationwide examining programs that they use within their counties. There are several programs and resources I would like to initiate within our county at virtually no cost to the citizens. I also think the citizens of Vernon County can better be served by giving the deceased family an upfront choice of the three funeral homes in Vernon County. I will ensure that every effort is made to not show bias to any one funeral establishment.
What would be your priorities in office?
I plan on establishing new programs for the county that will benefit all citizens. I want to bring the coroners office up to date by focusing on partnerships with local law enforce-ment/emergency personnel, civic organizations, schools (including colleges) and local citizens. I believe that contact with other coroner's offices across the state and nation is paramount to keeping Vernon County abreast of new and exciting procedures for its citizens. Communication between these groups and individuals will help to ensure the public's best interest is served. I have the time, energy and motivation to research and enact such programs.
What education do you have?
I am a licensed funeral director and while serving as a U.S. Marine for 4 1/2 years, I also received countless hours of training. While attending Crowder College in Nevada, I specialized in psychology and U.S. history and maintained a 4.0 GPA. I am eager to attend the mandatory training that is provided by the Missouri Coroners and Medical Examiners Association.
What qualifications do you bring to the office?
I am part owner and the operator of Evergreen Memorial Chapel. Also, while serving my country as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, I learned discipline, organization and leadership skills. I helped to develop the Teen Angel program that provides low-income Vernon County teens with gifts during the Christmas season. That involvement has taught me that when individuals work together, the community as a whole benefits.
I also serve in several community service clubs and on organization boards. This experience has broadened my perspective of the needs of Vernon County, while at the same time deepening my commitment and loyalty to the area community. As your elected coroner, I will bring my enthusiasm, energy and community vision to the office.
What professional associations do you belong to?
Lions Club: Second vice president, board member, chairperson for an upcoming pancake breakfast, chairperson for Campaign Sight First II; Rotary Club: Current president; Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce: Current board member and past ambassador Nevada Elks Lodge No. 564 Crowder College: Vice president, Student Government; Phi Theta Kappa, YMCA. T.I.P.S., Community Action Nevada. Tae Kwon Do: Black belt; NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) Missouri Funeral Directors Association N.B.A.M.F.A. and various Veterans' organizations.
DAVID FERRY
David Ferry, a Democrat, is seeking election to the Vernon County Coroner's Office.
What do you see as the most important function of this office you seek?
As coroner, the single most important function of the office is death investigation of all types of death falling under the jurisdiction of Coroner, including accidental deaths in our county, death by suicide, homicide, SIDS, and the unexpected/unattended deaths occurring in Vernon County. I pride myself on thorough death investigation, accurate reporting and certification of the cause and manner of death and have a great deal of experience in investigating each of these.
How would you improve the office?
For the past 12 years I have performed the job of coroner to the best of my abilities. But as always, I will continue to better myself through continued education and training, and keeping current with the latest investigative techniques and reporting.
What would be your priorities in office?
To perform the required duties of coroner as the citizens of Vernon County deserve and expect; to be available when called upon and perform the job with professionalism and compassion at all times; and to maintain the valuable working relationships I have developed through the years with local law enforcement including the Nevada Police Department, Vernon County Sheriff's Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. As always, I have and will continue to make information available to the public on such topics as SIDS, suicide prevention, grief support, and many other topics related to the office of coroner.
What education do you have?
I am a graduate of Nevada High School in 1979 and am a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1983 with a degree in business administration. I am a graduate of the Kansas City Kansas Community College with a degree in mortuary science, where courses of study relevant to the office of coroner included biology, microbiology, pathology, anatomy and chemistry. I have more than 240 hours of training and education provided by the Missouri Coroners and Medical Examiners Association. In 2008 I received Certification of Training from State Emergency Management Assistance (SEMA).
What qualifications do you bring to the office?
First and foremost, there is my experience. I have 25 years involvement in the Vernon County Coroner's Office, 13 years serving under our previous coroner, my father Ingles Ferry, and for the past 12 years serving as the Vernon County Coroner. I have 25 years of employment and management experience with our family business, Ferry Funeral Home, of which I am third generation. I have experience from participation in numerous disaster drills that have taken place in Vernon County over the years. I have a good working knowledge of our county's disaster plan involving a mass fatality incident and know how to respond should such an event occur.
What professional associations do you belong to?
I belong to the Missouri Coroners and Medical Examiners Association, Troop D Coroners of Southwest Missouri, Missouri Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Selected Independent Funeral Homes and numerous community groups and organization.