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Goddard City Council
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Craig Bassett
Self Employed
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Joe Torske
Subcontractor
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Todd Wentz
Aerospace Engineer
Comparison
- Biographical Information
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Why are you running?
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Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What in your background most prepares you to serve?
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What is the biggest issue facing your city, and what would you do to address it? Please be specific.
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What other priorities would you have, and how would you address them?
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Please state, in detail, your position on open records, meetings and openness and transparency in government.
Craig Bassett:
One word comes to mind when I am asked the question, “Why are you running for Goddard City Council?” The word is “Passion.” This is a question that I had asked myself several times four years ago prior to being elected to my first term as a Goddard City Council member. Public service is something you definitely have to have a passion for. I recognized this passion within myself in 2001 prior to being appointed to serve on the Goddard Planning Commission. That same passion still exists today.
Craig Bassett:
Humility does not allow me to state that I'm the most qualified candidate. What I can say, is that I have served the citizens of Goddard in some capacity since 2001, as listed above. I served four years on the Goddard Planning Commission, two of which as the Vice-Chairman and one year as the Chairman. I have served four years on the Goddard City Council in which I am currently completing a year serving as the Council President. What I have, and will continue to bring, is a self-less attitude.
Craig Bassett:
The single biggest challenge is, in a word, "Balance." Whether talking about the daily challenges faced with in regards to maintaining adherence to a budget, the ability of providing adequate services today, or planning future capitol improvement projects with limited revenue streams. All have to be dealt with in a currently volatile economic climate. There's not a specific solution, more a philosophy. A pragmatic approach is necessitated. Elected officials are stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Craig Bassett:
There's no one priority more important than planning. Planning's paramount in government. Questions have to be asked, “What's the evidence show why____happened in the past?”, “What were the recommended changes?”, “Were the desired results obtained?”, “What's the vision of how it’s desired to be tomorrow?”, “What are the logistical steps required to get there?”, “How's it funded?”, “Has it been done before?" If we desire for a better tomorrow, we have to look at the past. I'll ask the questions.
Craig Bassett:
The Kansas Legislature enacted statutes K.S.A. 75-4319 through 75-4320a that are defined as the Kansas Open Meetings Act. These statutes were enacted so as to mandate the openness and transparency of government. As one that has functioned within the parameters defined in these statutes for the last four years, I can say that I'm not only in agreement with but support the purpose and intent of the stated statutes. Citizens have a right to be made aware of the decisions of elected officials.
Age:
43
Education/Degrees:
High school diploma Ponca City High School, Ponca City, Ok.
Occupation:
Owner of Property Damage Appraisers of Wichita
Community Involvement:
Sunday school teacher and praise band member at the Goddard United Methodist Church.
Political experience:
Four years Goddard City Council member, four years Goddard Planning Commission member
How long lived in district:
14 year resident of Goddard,Ks.
Campaign Phone:
316-201-8489
E-mail:
cabassett1@sbcglobal.net
Joe Torske:
Recently, a few things have changed in my life and my family’s life that has opened up the opportunity for me to serve the community. I felt that the side of town I live in needed more representation to the decisisions being made for us. I know I can bring a new breath of air to the process.
Joe Torske:
I believe voters should consider me because I feel I’m ready for the job. I have been a business owner for 20 years and a Goddard citizen since 2003. I have been working in the Goddard area since the beginning of the Seasons development in the late 1990s. Along with being a business owner, I am also an employer. I understand the value of a dollar, the importance of working with people and the community. A better representation of the people is what I am aiming for.
Joe Torske:
I believe one of the biggest issues facing our city is lack of commercial growth. One reason for this is not having a clear plan in place for Highway 54. In my six years of residence in Goddard, I have met many sincere and admirable people. The people here know what they need. The need is here, the want is here, and the demand is here, and I believe more people getting involved in local interests is the answer.
Joe Torske:
Other priorities for me would include improving some infrastructure, promote Goddard at other area interests, help our residents and local businesses grow and become more involved in local affairs. It all starts with getting involved.
Joe Torske:
Openness and transparency in government is imperative for it to keep honest. Corruption breeds in the dark and the best disinfectant is sunlight. Therefore, meetings for the benefit of the community must be held in front of the community. Certain records such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, and other similar items should be kept closed. Our fore fathers meant for our government to be open. I couldn’t agree more.
Age:
39
Occupation:
Business owner / carpenter
Community Involvement:
tax payer / t-ball coach / Church member
Political experience:
none
How long lived in district:
6 years
Campaign Phone:
316-371-3197
E-mail:
joetorske@gmail.com
Social media (list any pages on Facebook, MySpace, etc.):
TorskeTrimLLC.com
Todd Wentz:
I want to continue the momentum the council has established over the last few years. The council and mayor have a well working relationship and bring a proactive and energetic attitude. I will continue a positive approach to city government and as a councilman the two items that are vital to a city are working within a balanced budget and control spending.
Todd Wentz:
I’m an incumbent with 4 years of experience and during that time the council has initiated plans for around the clock police protection, a new sewer plant, recently hired a city administrator and economic development coordinator. I have attended Wichita State’s colloquium on newly elected city officials. I have a college degree in engineering and tremendous leadership abilities but most of all I enjoy being the voice of constituents.
Todd Wentz:
The city has routinely passed a water watch in the summer months due to the hardship on the city’s water supply or transmission line. As the city expands the demand for water will grow and thus increase this hardship. I would like to develop a proactive plan to implement a new water transmission line from our city wells to the water tower. This plan would take a fair amount of time and effort similar to the waste water treatment facility which started in 2005 and is due to be online this June.
Todd Wentz:
In this time of financial unrest, I know being dedicated to future balanced budgets and tightening the belt on city spending will be prevalent in the next few years. Not just monitoring cost spending but also cost avoidances will help maintain positive city finances. An example of cost avoidance can be defined as spending moneys on regular maintenance as a smaller ongoing monthly fee to avoid the more costly major replacement in the future.
Todd Wentz:
I recognize that open meetings and records are a must for government officials and agencies. The conduct of city government to allow “open to the public” meetings means that the public must be allowed to listen to the discussion. Secret ballots or agendas are not allowed and the public must be able to ascertain how each member voted. I stand behind allowing members of the community the right to inspect public records.
Age:
39
Education/Degrees:
Bachelors of science from the University of Kansas
Occupation:
Airframe engineer with Hawkerbeechcraft
Community Involvement:
YMCA volunteer
Political experience:
Goddard City Council elected in April 2005 and currently serving a 4 year term.
How long lived in district:
9 years
Campaign Phone:
316-794-7957
E-mail:
twentz@cox.net