Cindy Thompson -- Republican candidate, Vernon County Northern Commissioner

Submitted to the Daily Mail

Please provide us with information on your background. Include such information as your age, education, current occupation and experience related to the office you are seeking.

I am 56 years old and married to Bob Thompson. We have two children: Cara and Spencer, along with four grandchildren. I graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in Family Economics and Management. I am a licensed realtor in both Missouri and Kansas and own my own rental business, Thompson Properties & Management, LLC. Bob and I also have cattle and feedlot businesses. My prior position was Executive Director of Calvary Lutheran School. I worked with an over $4 million budget, to satisfy 200 plus families, along with managing grants, scholarships and a campus consolidation. In addition, I have 15 years banking experience with Farm & Home Savings, Roosevelt Bank and Heritage State Bank.

Why are you the best person to elect for this office?

I will couple my business experience with my love for this community to help advance Vernon County's future. I offer the following skills: Enthusiasm, persistence, follow through and fostering collaborative relationships to resolve concerns and ensure project completion and success; analytical, accurate, detail oriented; excellent problem solving skills; and highly organized and committed professional.

If elected and you did not have to worry about the cost of implementation, what is one thing you would change about the position and/or the services it provides?

After listening to the citizens in the Northern district, it would have to be paving their gravel roads!

Please describe the scope and work of a commissioner in Vernon County.

As Northern Commissioner, I will provide a voice for all citizens in the Northern District.

The Commission has administrative duties in the following areas: oversees the County budget; accounts for county property: courthouse, jail, fairgrounds; maintains County bridges/culverts three feet or larger; declares county road status: open/closed; public/private; vacates or dedicates county road; sets tax levies; oversees the Board of Equalization; issues county ordinances, licenses, permits; appoints board members and trustees of special services; and miscellaneous duties not handled by other county officials. It is my understanding that the commission has no authority over elected officials and departments, or the county's township boards.