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Andover City Council

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  • Candidate Picture

    Bridgette Franklin

    Community Corrections Supervisor
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  • Candidate Picture

    Sheri Geisler

     
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  • Candidate Picture

    Clark "C.R." Nelson

    Attorney
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  • Carol Roberts

     
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  • Dave Tingley

     
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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.
Bridgette Franklin: Inclusion of all Andover’s citizens is necessary for long term sustainability. I will be the council person for the people; where everyone feels their voice is heard. As a creative thinker, I have the ability to look at all dimensions of an issue. At the same time, I will not lose sight of the ongoing infrastructure and plans that already exist. I can bring balance to the council by incorporating new concepts and ideas that will support community growth, encourage new business entities, and support neighborhood development. Regardless of the issue, I am ready to serve, support and represent my fellow community members in developing the community that we are all proud to call home.
Bridgette Franklin: My qualifications consist of a diverse background of skills and experiences. I have served on various community boards: Commission on the Status of Women, Community Development Coalition, Alternative Correctional Housing Board, School Site Councils, the Community District Advisory Board, and I have served on United Way Allocation Panels. I hold dual masters degrees in Human Resource Development and Management and I have worked in criminal justice for over 20 years. As a previous business owner, I have substantial experience conducting business both nationally and internationally.

Bridgette Franklin: Public Safety is first and foremost; as the Andover community grows, public safety concerns increase. Andover is a progressive and viable community; residents enjoy the tranquility of small town life and want the amenities of a progressive community. It is necessary to embrace our police and fire department’s quest for being unequivocally prepared to meet any challenges that may occur in our community, ensuring all personnel, training, and equipment/transportation needs are met. I will strongly support all of Andover’s emergency services departments to ensure that their needs are not compromised. Each department will need to grow proportionally to the growth of the community.
Bridgette Franklin: Important issues are the economy’s impact on our residence, economic development and financial sustainability. I will promote efforts to bring in new businesses, all while supporting our small businesses as they grow. Due to the current economic crises, many Andover residents may face or have faced layoff. I would advocate creating a community initiative plan that is coordinated by the city staff. This community initiative plan would enable community members to come together to assist Andover families during immediate crisis. Proactive steps must be taken to minimize long reaching effects of the current recession; the community initiative plan would accomplish this effectively.
Bridgette Franklin: It is important to be transparent in all areas of government. To be a strong viable government, it’s necessary for every stakeholder to be able to provide input on major decisions that need to be made. I feel strongly about inclusion – every person’s voice needs to be heard. We are a government that was selected by the people for representation of the people; therefore, the citizens who have entrusted us to make some of the most significant decisions for our community should have access to information at any time.
Age: 50
Education/Degrees: Dual Master Degrees
Occupation: Corrections Supervisor/Department Trainer
How long lived in district: Several Years
E-mail: franklinbiz@msn.com
Sheri Geisler: I am running for a position on the Andover City Council because I love my community and want to be involved and affect/guide the inevitable growth. I have been actively involved in my community since moving here with my family in 1993. I have and will continuously seek to maintain and improve the quality of life for our Andover Citizens.
Sheri Geisler: Since moving to Andover I have been actively involved in the community in many facets. Initially, I was on my Homeowners Association Board, delivered meals to senior citizens, and worked with the Andover police department with neighborhood watch and bicycle safety for our community. I was actively involved in the schools volunteering to teachers, PTO board, and a member of the start up of the Andover Advantage Foundation. I formed a committee called “Concerned Citizens of Andover” when it appeared that Andover was growing rapidly. We identified our concerns and made constructive criticisms and suggestions to the Mayor and Council. Many of which materialized. I was originally appointed to the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission after bringing a valid concern with constructive ideas to the City Council. I served on the Planning and Zoning Commission until appointed to the Andover City Council. I am a 2002 graduate of the Leadership Butler program which provided me with additional Knowledge and skills to better serve my community. Once on the Council, I in conjunction with staff and council members, succeeded in providing our citizens with a City channel and web page, fire station, new police station, new police chief and SRO officers for the schools, new library, new hospital, new golf course club house and a revamped course, two new hotels, upgraded parks, and a new YMCA. It was a team effort that directly affected and enhanced the quality of life of our Andover citizens. When my appointed Council term concluded, I ran an election taking no donations in order to maintain my objectivity and served another term which included the position of Council President. Therefore, I am qualified and prepared for the position with experience and objectivity. My additional background as a Registered Nurse prepares me to see issues in a logical, methodical, and objective way. It also provides me with the skills of efficiency, creative problem solving, and the desire to find a win/win solution to issues.
Sheri Geisler: Currently, in my opinion, the biggest issue facing Andover is the economy which directly affects many of the ongoing issues of balance and quality of living. I would address this by identifying in conjunction with the staff and council, the wants and needs of Andover. I would then want to work with staff and council to prioritize and plan in order to find a balance of income and expenditure. An example of that would be the new YMCA. The citizens of Andover wanted a community swimming pool. It was found to be unfeasible at the time due to cost, maintenance, and the population it would serve. My pre council committee, “Concerned Citizens for Andover”, suggested a YMCA to the Mayor and Council. It would serve all ages, enhance the quality of living and maintenance by the city wouldn’t be an issue. While on the council, the initial attempt to get the YMCA failed but was revisited midway through my term and succeeded.
Sheri Geisler: Community education, awareness, and involvement will always be a high priority. I will continue to be a citizen advocate. I will listen to and understand all sides of an issue. I will seek information and research the issues to make the best possible vote. City services such as water, sewer, and streets are the more subtle and ongoing needs of our community that are often over looked by our citizens unless there is a problem. I would inquire and research to see where we are with current and future needs and plans. I would work with staff and council to meet those needs and provide those services with efficiency. Residential housing is also an ongoing priority in our community. Again, I would inquire and research to determine what we need and plan appropriately.
Sheri Geisler: I respect and agree with the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) and the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA). Both are the ethical responsibility of any City Official. As a City Council member, my primary job and loyalty is to the people I serve. Both KORA and KOMA are safeguards for the public and guidelines for those in public office to maintain and promote trust. I also agree with openness and transparency in government. I have been on both sides of City Government. During my initial term on the Council, I formed a committee to provide better communication and awareness to the Andover citizens by initiating with another Council member, Bob Ruth, the City Channel and City web page. This allowed our busy citizens of all ages the opportunity to get information and awareness of the happenings in their community.
Education/Degrees: BSN
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Community Involvement: Actively involved in Andover since 1993.
Political experience: Initially appointed to City Council followed with an elected term.
How long lived in district: 16 years
Clark "C.R." Nelson: I have represented clients over 30 years in real estate and zoning matters. Having moved to Andover in 2000, I thought it was time to give back to a new community drawing on my expertise in real estate while also learning other aspects of land planning. I was appointed by the Mayor to the Planning Commission in 2002, serving as Chairman. In 2006, I was appointed to City Council made available by Ty Masterson's successful Kansas legislative pursuits. I wish to continue to serve the citizens.

Clark "C.R." Nelson: Graduating in accounting from WSU and Washburn Law in 1973, I represent various clients in most phases of the legal world, including real estate. My expertise gives me a unique perspective in serving on the City Council, particularly in a growing city like Andover. Since my appointment, I have served on the budget, long range transportation, site plan, police and fire committees. Also, I spend substantial time negotiating to achieve successful resolutions, and wish to do the same for City.
Clark "C.R." Nelson: We are fortunate that matters are going so well for Andover today. However, tough economic times are coming and we must be prepared. Controlled growth should continue, while retaining Andover's small town atmosphere. We need to elect members to the City Council who value these ideals. Although sustained growth is vital, it cannot be at the expense of safe, peaceful, calm Andover living, the real reason many residents have made Andover their home.
Clark "C.R." Nelson: 1. We must continue to assure affordable, reliable city services, including water quality and availability, utilities and safety. 2. Managing capital reserves in tough economic times to maintain core services such as police, fire, school security, and advanced waste water capability. 3. Continue the successful recruitment of employers in Andover such as the new YMCA and Dillon's. 4. Well planned growth and development of an excellent existing school system.

Clark "C.R." Nelson: Andover prides itself on its open records practices. It is integral to an open and informed society, and I not only support the same for the City Council, but will work to ensure we are doing the best we can to inform residents of matters affecting their community. Fortunately, City Council meetings are televised, giving residents to view the Council's business as it occurs. Although agendas and minutes are available on line, we can do a better job of informing interested citizens.
Age: 61
Education/Degrees: WSU ba accounting, Washburn Law 1973
Occupation: private practice, Nelson, Gunderson & Lacey
Community Involvement: Kapaun School Board - President, Kapaun Foundation, Trustee Charitable Foundations
Political experience: Andover City Council-2006-, Andover Planning Commission, Site Plan, WAMPO, police, fire and budget committies
How long lived in district: Moved to Andover in 2000
Endorsements: Ty and Jeff Masterson
Campaign Phone: 316-733-5909
E-mail: crn@nelsongunderson.com
Carol Roberts: Candidate response is not yet available.
Carol Roberts: Candidate response is not yet available.
Carol Roberts: Candidate response is not yet available.
Carol Roberts: Candidate response is not yet available.
Carol Roberts: Candidate response is not yet available.
 
Dave Tingley: Candidate response is not yet available.
Dave Tingley: Candidate response is not yet available.
Dave Tingley: Candidate response is not yet available.
Dave Tingley: Candidate response is not yet available.
Dave Tingley: 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.