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Bel Aire City Council

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    David Austin

    Manager of Public Relations and Events
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  • Gary L Breault

     
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  • Peggy Sue O'Donnell

    High School Teacher/Vice Principal
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  • James B Schmidt

     
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Comparison
  1. Biographical Information
  2. Why are you running?
  3. Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What in your background most prepares you to serve?
  4. What is the biggest issue facing your city, and what would you do to address it? Please be specific.
  5. What other priorities would you have, and how would you address them?
  6. Please state, in detail, your position on open records, meetings and openness and transparency in government.
David Austin: I want to ensure community strength and growth. I believe in fiduciary, responsibility and accountability. The city continues to be financially responsible for more than 1,700 acres of un-used and unsold land. Payments on this land and other debts, including city hall and the water district concern me. They cripple the city budget limiting vital projects like road, beautification, and park improvements. Additionally, future economic development and city marketing projects are placed on hold.
David Austin: We urgently need leaders with the financial and political skills and discipline to make wise financial decisions for the future of our community. My service on the Economic Advisory Board, serving as co-chairman the past two years has educated me well for this position. My number one goal as a member of the City Council will be to strengthen Bel Aire’s economic position so tax dollars can be allocated for needed projects as well as future economic development projects.
David Austin: Selling the city owned land and getting the city out of debt will allow the council focus on city issues that are not even open to discussion due to cost factors.The city must work with an aggressive real estate company to set the price and market the property. The city needs to use the newly created city website to promote its services and community to current citizens and future developers.
David Austin: It is vital that streets are improved. Improving traffic flow on Woodlawn and Oliver at 45th are necessary. We need to widen the intersections and install stoplights. Improving Rock Rd. and the intersection at 45th St. will improve our appearance to potential developers.

The city council must stretch its dollars as far as possible. Until more debt is paid off, the city must look at all alternatives including temporary (less than 10-year) solutions.
David Austin: The City Council serves the citizens of Bel Aire. Citizens have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent and budgeted.
Age: 37
Education/Degrees: B.A. Communication arts, Bethel College, 1995
Occupation: Manager of Public Relations & Events
Community Involvement: Bel Aire Recreation Department, 2004-2008, volunteer softball coach; Wichita Habitat for Humanity Public Relations Committee, 2003-present, committee chairman; Wichita Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, 2007-present, board member; Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Kansas chapter board of directors 2002-2008, board member; PRSA student day committee, chair, 2001; PRSA Kansas chapter, president, 2006; PRSA Clarus committee, co-chair, 2009; Volunteer teacher, KidzGig, First Baptist Church, Wichita, 2002-2004
Political experience: Bel Aire Economic Advisory Board, 2007-Present, co-chairman; Lynn Rogers for USD 259 School Board campaign, 2005, 2009 campaign treasurer
How long lived in district: 6 years
Campaign Phone: 316.744.8197
E-mail: david@austinforbelaire.com
Web site: austinforbelaire.com
Social media (list any pages on Facebook, MySpace, etc.): facebook
Gary L Breault: Candidate response is not yet available.
Gary L Breault: Candidate response is not yet available.
Gary L Breault: Candidate response is not yet available.
Gary L Breault: Candidate response is not yet available.
Gary L Breault: Candidate response is not yet available.
 
Peggy Sue O'Donnell: I have enjoyed serving our community as a member of the Council and have taught that we should be involved in helping our communities.That is why I am running for the Bel Aire City Council. I want to continue to serve and finish some of the projects that our city has undertaken.The current Council and Mayor have made some positive changes and I have enjoyed serving with all of them.Bel Aire is a wonderful place to live, work & worship and it would be an honor to serve another term on the Council
Peggy Sue O'Donnell: I consider myself to be the most qualified candidate since I have served the past 4 years and already know the issues, current situations, and have a great working relationship with the current Council, Mayor and City Staff. I know Govt as I teach it daily.I also consider it a privilege to serve the citizens of Bel Aire and have become acquainted with many of the residents. I am a Precinct Committeewoman and am very involved with local politics. What I bring is a heart to serve the people.
Peggy Sue O'Donnell: The biggest issue facing the City of Bel Aire is the sale of city owned property to companies, developers & home owners that would add to our community and reduce our debt. We have about 1800 acres of land that must be sold in order for the City to get out from the large debt load. In order to address the issue, the City is pro-active in selling the land to potential buyers & seeking professional advice. We have hired Weigand on a local & national level thru CoStar. I take this very seriously.
Peggy Sue O'Donnell: Other priorities include improving the roads, water & sewer rates and reducing our debt load. It sounds “easy” but the best course to free up money for the improvement of our roads and infrastructure is to sell land. I would also continue to work with the city administration to secure grants for the roads. The water and sewer rates remain a concern, and I will continue to keep the public informed on the CCUA. I want to keep the mill levy low! We will have to continue to cut costs.
Peggy Sue O'Donnell: I believe that it should be mandated, it is what the public deserves.Obviously there are instances (because of liability or privacy) where we have to meet in executive session, but I certainly hope those situations are rare. One venue that makes our meetings more accessible is our city television station on channel 7. We have the minutes from our meeting online. The more the public is made aware of the issues facing Bel Aire, the better it is for government to run efficiently and effectively.
Education/Degrees: Associates Degree, Baptist Bible College, Bachelors in Christian Education, Calvary Baptist Bible College, MRE, Calvary Baptist Bible College
Occupation: Vice Principal; high school teacher at Sunrise Christian Academy
Community Involvement: Helped w/Easter Egg Hunt each year; helped with Bel Aire days; serve on the Public Building Commission as President; AWANA board member; precinct person; Buddy Walk; Race for the Cure; Asthma Walk; Sunday School Teacher
Political experience: Precinct Committeewoman 1994-1996; 2002-present, Bel Aire City Council Member since 2005
How long lived in district: Since October 1, 1996
Campaign Phone: 316-744-0250
E-mail: psochocolate@yahoo.com
Social media (list any pages on Facebook, MySpace, etc.): facebook page - Peggy Sue O'Donnell
James B Schmidt: Candidate response is not yet available.
James B Schmidt: Candidate response is not yet available.
James B Schmidt: Candidate response is not yet available.
James B Schmidt: Candidate response is not yet available.
James B Schmidt: Candidate response is not yet available.
 

The Wichita Eagle invited candidates in some contested races in Sedgwick, Butler and Sumner counties to respond to questions about key issues. You can compare the candidates and their responses side by side, and create your own printable or e-mailable ballot. The responses are largely unedited and presented as the candidates sent them to us.