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My Ballot
Haysville City Council, Ward 4
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Michael Kanaga
Machine Shop Manager
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Russell Kessler
Finance System Administrator, (Retired US Navy)
Comparison
Michael Kanaga
Russell Kessler
- 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.
Michael Kanaga:
I am running for City Council because I believe it is important to have a balanced, common sense approach to City government and that is what I try to bring. I believe that it is important to get past “jargon” that we think people want to hear and get down to what we can actually do.
Michael Kanaga:
I am a life-long Haysville resident. I grew up in Ward 4 of the city; my wife, our son, and I are all graduates of Haysville Campus High. My wife and I have chosen to make our home together in Haysville. I am familiar with the city’s past and present struggles and triumphs.
Besides just living in Haysville essentially all my life; I have one year experience on the Haysville Planning Commission and two years experience on the Haysville City Council.
Michael Kanaga:
In the near term, the biggest issue facing the City of Haysville will be how to continue to provide the level of city services that our residents have come to expect in a tough economic climate. To that end, I have supported a conservative approach to the city borrowing money. I am not opposed to bonding (borrowing) money to do street repairs etc. in a more favorable economic climate, however, I believe it to be the better part of wisdom to exercise caution in the current climate.
Michael Kanaga:
The condition of the streets needs to be addressed. I supported a plan to pay cash to do these repairs because of the current economic situation. However, if this situation turns around, I would support bonding a manageable amount of money to move ahead on street repairs. As for bringing business to Haysville, I would support tax incentives for a very short term, on a case by case basis, the only exception being a large employer that would employ a significant number of Haysville residents.
Michael Kanaga:
All of the council meetings and workshops are broadcast and minutes of council meetings are posted on the City website. I believe the City of Haysville does a good job of making its workings available to the public. I have no problem with that.
Education/Degrees:
High School, two years college
Community Involvement:
Haysville Planning Commission
Political experience:
2 yrs Haysville City Council
How long lived in district:
50 years
E-mail:
kanaga4@cox.net
Russell Kessler:
Haysville has a good thing going for itself with its small town feeling, great neighborhoods, schools and annual city events and soon we will have the Haysville Heat semi-pro baseball team located here. This is all something that I am very proud of and want to be a part of. To keep our city prosperous for the future we need to control spending and attract new local businesses. I served my country for 23 years and now I would like to serve our city as a member on the City Council.
Russell Kessler:
My qualifications include leading people, getting things done and being proactive. I have also held community leadership roles such as PTA president. As a Chief in the Navy I was relied on for leading, teaching, ensuring the accomplishment of tasks, crisis management and taking care of sailors. I have had experience working with budgets and planning for future expenditures. I will work hard to serve the people of Haysville keeping it the great place it is to live and raise our families.
Russell Kessler:
The biggest issue facing our city is the budget. With the country in a recession and our economy in a downturn money is tight. The lack of revenue will be felt as it trickles down from the state and county levels. I believe that the spending of our tax dollars has got to be more scrutinized. Before voting yes on a project that requires spending taxpayer money, the validity needs to be double checked. We can’t have any wasteful spending.
Russell Kessler:
Haysville has one of the highest Mill Levies in the county. We need to concentrate on bringing in new businesses into our city to help lower the personal property tax and at the same time keeping the small town feel. I am for offering short term incentives for attracting new businesses. I believe that these incentives should vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the level of monetary benefit that the business would bring into the city.
Russell Kessler:
I support openness and transparency in government, open records and meetings. The exceptions should be for issues of security, personnel records and issues that pertain to the privacy act of 1974. Citizens have a right to know what is going on in their government and should be able to be a part of it. I’d like to see the council meetings continue to be broadcasted on cable and though the internet via the city’s web site. This is an excellent means of communicating to the public.
Age:
43
Education/Degrees:
Fort Hays State University - Bachelor of General Studies degree, majored in Information Networking and Telecommunications. Community College of the Air Force - Associate of Applied Science degree, majored in Instructor of Technologies and Military Science.
Occupation:
Finance System Administrator for McConnell AFB employed by Perot Systems Government Services.
Community Involvement:
I have always enjoyed being involved in my community in various rolls. I have held previous community leadership positions such as PTA President and Adopt-A-School coordinator. I have also participated in a number of other volunteer activities with my church and in the communities I have lived, along with participating in community relation volunteer projects while visiting foreign countries.
Political experience:
I served in the US Navy for 23 years.
How long lived in district:
I have been a lifelong Kansas resident and have lived in Haysville, Ward 4 for 1 ½ years.
Endorsements:
Family and friends.
Campaign Phone:
(316)554-8835
Web site:
www.russellkessler.com