President Donald Trump delivered a decisive Election Day victory among Ellis County voters in the midst of capturing Kansas' six electoral votes.

According to the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, Trump lost only five Kansas counties Tuesday — three in the Kansas City/Topeka area and Riley County.

In Ellis County, Trump and GOP running mate Mike Pence captured 9,423 votes, while challenger Joe Biden and Kamala Harris received 3,554 votes for the Democratic ticket.

The Libertarian ticket earned just 295 votes, and there were 51 write-in votes cast.

State races showed a similar split, with Republican Roger Marshall gathering 8,999 votes against Democrat Barbara Bollier's 3,715 votes.

In the battle for the Big First U.S. House seat, Ellis County again voted overwhelmingly Republican, with Tracy Mann receiving 9,375 votes against Democrat Kali Barnett's 3,658 votes.

There were 13,385 votes cast in Ellis County during the general election for a turnout of 70.91 percent, according to the Ellis County Clerk's Office.

President Donald Trump delivered a decisive Election Day victory among Ellis County voters in the midst of capturing Kansas' six electoral votes.According to the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, Trump lost only five Kansas counties Tuesday — three in the Kansas City/Topeka area and Riley County.In Ellis County, Trump and GOP running mate Mike Pence captured 9,423 votes, while challenger Joe Biden and Kamala Harris received 3,554 votes for the Democratic ticket.The Libertarian ticket earned just 295 votes, and there were 51 write-in votes cast.State races showed a similar split, with Republican Roger Marshall gathering 8,999 votes against Democrat Barbara Bollier's 3,715 votes.In the battle for the Big First U.S. House seat, Ellis County again voted overwhelmingly Republican, with Tracy Mann receiving 9,375 votes against Democrat Kali Barnett's 3,658 votes.There were 13,385 votes cast in Ellis County during the general election for a turnout of 70.91 percent, according to the Ellis County Clerk's Office.

Ellis Co. votes overwhelmingly Republican in 2020 general election

What was your motivation for seeking the office of county treasurer?

I believe change is needed in our local government. Rather
than sit idly by, I decided to take action to be the change I want to see.&nbsp; 

What experience do you have that is relevant to the office?

I have over seven years
of management experience that has given me the tools to effectively lead the
treasury. In my experiences, I have been responsible for budgeting, generating
revenue, customer service relations, and human resources. I believe all my
experiences, both as a member of the team and the team leader, have given the
knowledge and drive to be a successful community leader.

What areas of the office do you believe needs improvement
and what changes would you implement?

I plan to re-establish positive relations between the
Treasury, commissioners, and county departmental heads.&nbsp; Stop wasteful spending through transparency
and accountability of all county departments.&nbsp;
Create a positive environment and best possible experience for both
visitors and workers of the Treasury department. Ensure economic sustainability
and continued financial growth for the county.

Why do you believe you are the most qualified candidate for
the position?

The County Treasurer
has the duty to ensure continued growth on both the government and civilian
level. I will explore every option to ensure that I fulfill that duty. I will
work in cooperation with local and state entities no matter their party affiliation
and firmly believe decisions should be made for what is best for the people.

The treasurer’s office handles the county’s finances, how
would you be a good steward of the county’s money?

I would make
financial and audit reports readily available for public viewing by publishing
them online for easy access anytime as well as paper copies available upon
request. I would make the department budget detailed to lay out exactly what
county dollars are being spent on in the Treasury. Everything needs to be
documented and readily available not only for transparency but accountability.
One of my fist actions would be to ensure that a camera system is installed and
operational to help ensure the accountability of myself and the department
staff to local and state officials.

The treasurer’s office works with every department within
the county, what would you do to improve relationships with other departments?

There is a clear division
amongst elected officials, departmental heads, and county staff. There will
always be disagreements on the different issues and policies. It is important
that people on both sides talk and try to understand their opponents view. It
is vital that everyone work together, and I pledge to work with individuals of
all levels and with the public. I believe all voices should be heard and
considered with decisions made based on what is best for the people of Ellis
County.

Name: Julie MercerParty Affiliation: DemocratWhat was your motivation for seeking the office of county treasurer?I believe change is needed in our local government. Rather
than sit idly by, I decided to take action to be the change I want to see.&nbsp; What experience do you have that is relevant to the office?I have over seven years
of management experience that has given me the tools to effectively lead the
treasury. In my experiences, I have been responsible for budgeting, generating
revenue, customer service relations, and human resources. I believe all my
experiences, both as a member of the team and the team leader, have given the
knowledge and drive to be a successful community leader.What areas of the office do you believe needs improvement
and what changes would you implement?I plan to re-establish positive relations between the
Treasury, commissioners, and county departmental heads.&nbsp; Stop wasteful spending through transparency
and accountability of all county departments.&nbsp;
Create a positive environment and best possible experience for both
visitors and workers of the Treasury department. Ensure economic sustainability
and continued financial growth for the county.Why do you believe you are the most qualified candidate for
the position?The County Treasurer
has the duty to ensure continued growth on both the government and civilian
level. I will explore every option to ensure that I fulfill that duty. I will
work in cooperation with local and state entities no matter their party affiliation
and firmly believe decisions should be made for what is best for the people.The treasurer’s office handles the county’s finances, how
would you be a good steward of the county’s money?I would make
financial and audit reports readily available for public viewing by publishing
them online for easy access anytime as well as paper copies available upon
request. I would make the department budget detailed to lay out exactly what
county dollars are being spent on in the Treasury. Everything needs to be
documented and readily available not only for transparency but accountability.
One of my fist actions would be to ensure that a camera system is installed and
operational to help ensure the accountability of myself and the department
staff to local and state officials.The treasurer’s office works with every department within
the county, what would you do to improve relationships with other departments?There is a clear division
amongst elected officials, departmental heads, and county staff. There will
always be disagreements on the different issues and policies. It is important
that people on both sides talk and try to understand their opponents view. It
is vital that everyone work together, and I pledge to work with individuals of
all levels and with the public. I believe all voices should be heard and
considered with decisions made based on what is best for the people of Ellis
County.

Ellis County Treasurer Candidate: Julie Mercer

Party
Affiliation: Republican Write-in

What was
your motivation for seeking the office of county treasurer?

Vern Ruder will work for the politicians. As Treasurer, I
work for YOU. I enjoy learning what the best Treasuries in the country do and
making that happen here. My work has made our Treasury millions of dollars. I
want to continue to make my living working for you. With me as Treasurer,
everybody wins. I love my staff; I love meeting and talking with the public.
You will make a wise investment if you mark the bubble, then write-in “Lisa
Schlegel” on your ballot. I am from Ellis County and I work for Ellis County. I
will continue to make smart decisions that benefit the community I live in, to
be the honest voice for the citizens whose money I am in charge of bookkeeping.
I enjoy educating the citizens about where money goes, and investigating each
and every way I can make the Treasury better and stronger. 

What
experience do you have that is relevant to the office?

Having executed the duties of Treasurer for several years, my
past performance is the best indicator of my future performance. I am a Level 2
Certified Kansas County Finance Officer, with almost a decade of supervisory
management experience. My opponent has only been a supervisor since 2017.
Furthermore, being the only candidate without a spouse or child that works for
the county, I am beholden only to the voters of Ellis County. Without the
conflicting interests and pressures of nepotism, voters can guarantee my first
priority, as it always has been, is their interests. Vern Ruder’s motivation is
to make more money and populate Ellis County with more Ruders, like his son
Mason Ruder, who works for the City of Hays. If the voters show the politicians
what they want and what they will not settle for, all this bad behavior will
stop. It is truly up to the voters. 

What areas
of the office do you believe needs improvement and what changes would you implement?

Within my first year, the money I made the county paid for my
salary for all 4 years of my term. The Treasury operates like a strong private
sector organization. I was first in Ellis County to revise office hours, along
with making stronger county contractual agreements and investments. I put in
the time, negotiation, and research to strengthen the Treasury in all facets. Right
now, things are running very well. My resume includes record
percentage-collection on taxes, hosting the first ever annual tax sales, and
millions of dollars from banking proposals and investments that make your money
safer, too. All three audits conducted on the Treasury yielded a perfect record
for my performance. I aim to “maintain the gains,” which are unprecedented. I
guarantee you Vern Ruder cannot maintain those gains, and will take away from
local jobs by outsourcing jobs to “kiosks,” as he said two months ago. The only
change Vern will bring is disorder, and a further removal of transparency and
voter power.&nbsp; 

Why do you
believe you are the most qualified candidate for the position?

This question has nothing to do with “belief” or “opinion.”
Whether or not the busy voters of Ellis County know the facts is the issue, I
am the best-qualified candidate; belief simply does not come into play. 

The
treasurer’s office handles the county’s finances, how would you be a good
steward of the county’s money?

I am the best steward of Ellis County’s money any Treasurer
has been. That will not change, except for that as I learn more, I will be an
even more powerful negotiator on behalf of the taxpayers for any and all
contracts I oversee. Vern is not a good steward of the county’s resources in
his current job, so why would voters trust a man whose failure to adhere to
standard operating procedures caused a building to burn down? If he were an employee of anyone else other
than his current boss, who is also the boss of his son, he would no longer work
for the county based on the gross negligence he’s exhibited.

The
treasurer’s office works with every department within the county, what would
you do to improve relationships with other departments?

Win. There are no issues to improve that cannot be solved by
voters. Secondly, the Treasury works well with other departments. A small group
of misbehaved people need to be “schooled” by the voters, pun intended. We need
quality; not more of the same old family members who want their relatives to
work for the county. The departments: Sheriff’s, Public Works, IT have “issues”
because Sherry Dryden’s husband wanted her to work for the County, before he
was asked to resign from the Sheriff’s. The Ruder family has political goals,
so Vern’s son bullied me on social media and by calling multiple times, as did
Vern, through the Public Works department. Julie Mercer’s husband worked in Technology,
and though she no longer lives here and is not a serious candidate, many people
think she was pressured to run by the IT department head. Nepotism is an issue
only voters can nip in the bud when they VOTE. All the nastiness and lies are
propelled by familial ties who want better jobs. 

Name: Lisa
SchlegelParty
Affiliation: Republican Write-inWhat was
your motivation for seeking the office of county treasurer?Vern Ruder will work for the politicians. As Treasurer, I
work for YOU. I enjoy learning what the best Treasuries in the country do and
making that happen here. My work has made our Treasury millions of dollars. I
want to continue to make my living working for you. With me as Treasurer,
everybody wins. I love my staff; I love meeting and talking with the public.
You will make a wise investment if you mark the bubble, then write-in “Lisa
Schlegel” on your ballot. I am from Ellis County and I work for Ellis County. I
will continue to make smart decisions that benefit the community I live in, to
be the honest voice for the citizens whose money I am in charge of bookkeeping.
I enjoy educating the citizens about where money goes, and investigating each
and every way I can make the Treasury better and stronger. What
experience do you have that is relevant to the office?Having executed the duties of Treasurer for several years, my
past performance is the best indicator of my future performance. I am a Level 2
Certified Kansas County Finance Officer, with almost a decade of supervisory
management experience. My opponent has only been a supervisor since 2017.
Furthermore, being the only candidate without a spouse or child that works for
the county, I am beholden only to the voters of Ellis County. Without the
conflicting interests and pressures of nepotism, voters can guarantee my first
priority, as it always has been, is their interests. Vern Ruder’s motivation is
to make more money and populate Ellis County with more Ruders, like his son
Mason Ruder, who works for the City of Hays. If the voters show the politicians
what they want and what they will not settle for, all this bad behavior will
stop. It is truly up to the voters. What areas
of the office do you believe needs improvement and what changes would you implement?Within my first year, the money I made the county paid for my
salary for all 4 years of my term. The Treasury operates like a strong private
sector organization. I was first in Ellis County to revise office hours, along
with making stronger county contractual agreements and investments. I put in
the time, negotiation, and research to strengthen the Treasury in all facets. Right
now, things are running very well. My resume includes record
percentage-collection on taxes, hosting the first ever annual tax sales, and
millions of dollars from banking proposals and investments that make your money
safer, too. All three audits conducted on the Treasury yielded a perfect record
for my performance. I aim to “maintain the gains,” which are unprecedented. I
guarantee you Vern Ruder cannot maintain those gains, and will take away from
local jobs by outsourcing jobs to “kiosks,” as he said two months ago. The only
change Vern will bring is disorder, and a further removal of transparency and
voter power.&nbsp; Why do you
believe you are the most qualified candidate for the position?This question has nothing to do with “belief” or “opinion.”
Whether or not the busy voters of Ellis County know the facts is the issue, I
am the best-qualified candidate; belief simply does not come into play. The
treasurer’s office handles the county’s finances, how would you be a good
steward of the county’s money?I am the best steward of Ellis County’s money any Treasurer
has been. That will not change, except for that as I learn more, I will be an
even more powerful negotiator on behalf of the taxpayers for any and all
contracts I oversee. Vern is not a good steward of the county’s resources in
his current job, so why would voters trust a man whose failure to adhere to
standard operating procedures caused a building to burn down? If he were an employee of anyone else other
than his current boss, who is also the boss of his son, he would no longer work
for the county based on the gross negligence he’s exhibited.The
treasurer’s office works with every department within the county, what would
you do to improve relationships with other departments?Win. There are no issues to improve that cannot be solved by
voters. Secondly, the Treasury works well with other departments. A small group
of misbehaved people need to be “schooled” by the voters, pun intended. We need
quality; not more of the same old family members who want their relatives to
work for the county. The departments: Sheriff’s, Public Works, IT have “issues”
because Sherry Dryden’s husband wanted her to work for the County, before he
was asked to resign from the Sheriff’s. The Ruder family has political goals,
so Vern’s son bullied me on social media and by calling multiple times, as did
Vern, through the Public Works department. Julie Mercer’s husband worked in Technology,
and though she no longer lives here and is not a serious candidate, many people
think she was pressured to run by the IT department head. Nepotism is an issue
only voters can nip in the bud when they VOTE. All the nastiness and lies are
propelled by familial ties who want better jobs.

Ellis County Treasurer Candidate: Lisa Schlegel

The race for the Kansas 40th District Senate seat features incumbent Republican Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/70b408fa-9b27-4231-abec-2a6995fcff42">Democratic challenger Larry Dreiling, D-Hays.</a>

For the following Q&amp;A, both candidates were asked to submit responses to the same nine questions, with one additional question specific to the candidate.

The answers here are presented as submitted.

What is it that better qualifies you for a seat in the Kansas State Senate than your opponent?&nbsp;

First and foremost I am honest, I have integrity, I am well respected on both sides of the aisle and I get things done. I am a life long resident of the 40th district. I have over 30 years of public service experience. .. not as a career politician, but as a public servant at the local and regional level ... that is in addition to running a business, running a first-generation farm operation, raising a family and serving my community as my civic duty. Over that time, I have a great track record and reputation for working hard for all citizens that I represent.

 In my experience of running my business, I personally know how property tax, payroll and everyday expenses affect business owners and all employees. I also know what red tape is created as a result of excessive regulation, government over-reach and excessive legislation. My first-hand understanding of how detrimental these factors can be to business and their workers makes me the ideal voice for western Kansas. 

In my time representing western Kansas at the state level I am proud to have worked to save our county fairs, been integral in getting roads, highways and infrastructure approved and funded in our district, addressed critical water issues, as well as helping pass The Farm Bureau Health Care Option. Additionally, we were successful in getting funding for youth mental health in Western Kansas. All of these affect all of my constituents and I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of all citizens on priorities such as these. 

I have proudly served as the Chair or Vice-Chair on important committees such as Building and Construction, Budget, Ways and Means, Financial Institutions, Insurance and Benefits. I have also served on the Agriculture Committee. 

I have 40 years of business, farming and leadership experience, which makes me the ideal candidate to continue to work on behalf of Western Kansas to tackle the issues that face us today as well as in the future. I believe in working to improve the quality of life for all Kansans, especially those who are our most vulnerable citizens.&nbsp;

In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing the people of western Kansas and how best should the Kansas State Senate address that concern?&nbsp;

The biggest issue facing our district is property tax, which is highly correlated to the biggest issue facing our state, the budget. Last year I helped to pass a legislative bill, which would have eliminated the tax lid, and put a more transparent approach to this process. Unfortunately, this bill was vetoed by the Governor. This upcoming term I plan to pick up right where we were stopped to push for a more fair and transparent process to property tax and the overall budget.

As water rights continue to be a growing concern in western Kansas, how would you strike a balance between the needs of ag producers and cities in their use and conservation and distribution of the resource?&nbsp;

We have to continue to work with Ground Water Management Districts. I do not think we need to legislate water rights; the best approach to this important issue is to give appropriate support and resources to the local Ground Water Management Districts.

Access to good local healthcare is an extremely important part of life for many in western’s Kansas rural communities. What is the best way to ensure rural hospitals and medical providers can continue to survive as populations decline and grow older?&nbsp;

The key to rural hospitals and rule health care is telemedicine. We need to continue and improve upon initiatives that support first responders, doctors and access to traditional approaches. As we look to the future we must make sure the laws and infrastructure, such as expanding broadband internet access, is in place to implement additional virtual health care in the 40th District. Furthermore, we need to work on enhanced reimbursements to rural hospitals and medical centers; supporting these rural hospitals to have flexibility on services offered as well as bed size while maintaining full Medicare reimbursement rates. We need to add additional primary care options for all Kansans.&nbsp;

Three out of four states that border Kansas now allow some form of the sale of Marijuana. Is it a good time for Kansas to follow suit, and do you support such an action?&nbsp;

I am open to the specific and limited medical use of Marijuana and would welcome reviewing such legislation.

Initially, COVID-19 hit the more urban areas of Kansas harder than in the more rural parts of the state. Now that has shifted and western Kansas towns are dealing with some of the highest infection rates per capita in the country. If elected (or re-elected), what action would you support to further limit the infection rate and subsequent deaths?&nbsp;

I support helping local leaders with all the resources this state has to offer. It is key for these local municipalities to have access to the most relevant and reliable information, training, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It is essential that we help our local leaders make the best decisions for their communities.&nbsp;

Do you support Medicaid expansion in Kansas and why or why not?&nbsp;

Yes, I have supported expanding Medicaid. It is very important revenue for our rural hospitals and those who do not qualify for insurance on the exchange. However, there are key elements of Medicaid expansion that need to be clarified such as:

• What will the taxpayers have to pay? This needs to be budget neutral to taxpayers. &nbsp;• What are the work requirements or pathways to work? &nbsp;• If someone who has income between the 100% - 138% of the defined poverty level, would these individuals still have the right to stay on their current private insurance plan if they have such coverage or would they be forced onto Medicaid? &nbsp;• Will there be established covenants regarding the future of federal matching? &nbsp;• How many individuals are expected to enroll in the program? &nbsp;• Who will be responsible for administering the expansion of this program? • Will there be an income-based premium? &nbsp;• Will this expansion of the program include enhanced reimbursements to hospitals?&nbsp;

As Kansas emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, what actions would you support to ensure a full economic recovery in western Kansas?&nbsp;

I support protection from liabilities for businesses, prohibiting surprise medical bills for patients treated in hospitals and ERs, and advocating for the expansion of Telehealth with expanded broadband access.

With energy production a substantial economic driver in Kansas, what measures would you support that can continue to ensure energy sector jobs remain in the area but also addresses the diminishing amount of oil in the region and climate change concerns?&nbsp;

I support Oil and Gas as well as the great opportunities for work that these industries bring to the 40th District. I think it is important to point out that these businesses follow all rules and regulations and are doing a great job at protecting our environment while supplying us with the needed energy for our infrastructure. Although natural resources are gradually being depleted, I am confident that these business leaders will continue to operate in a manner which will safely innovate on the best new methods and technologies. The last thing we need to do is create more barriers to stand in the way of their innovation.&nbsp;

During a protest in the capital, you were captured on video trying to block footage from being taken after a fellow Republican senator pushed an elderly protestor causing him to fall. The high school senior that captured the video said at the time that you had “a smirk on his face as he's doing it like he's getting pleasure trying to take away my First Amendment rights." Can you explain what happened and how you would handle similar incidents in the future?&nbsp;

Back in March, I was at the Capital when a group of
protesters illegally blocked the entrance to the chambers and surrounded us.
However, the events as depicted by your description as well as the original
media reporting are not accurate. As I stated after the incident, I do not
believe my colleague, Senator Eric Rucker, pushed or shoved anyone that day. As
concluded by both Democratic and Republican leadership, the video circulated
was clearly manipulated. Other video accounts from that day not only show what
really happened, but I want to note that Senator Rucker helped the man who fell
stand back up. Furthermore, I am a staunch proponent of the First Amendment.

The race for the Kansas 40th District Senate seat features incumbent Republican Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, and <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/70b408fa-9b27-4231-abec-2a6995fcff42">Democratic challenger Larry Dreiling, D-Hays.</a>For the following Q&amp;A, both candidates were asked to submit responses to the same nine questions, with one additional question specific to the candidate. The answers here are presented as submitted.<h2>What is it that better qualifies you for a seat in the Kansas State Senate than your opponent?&nbsp;</h2>First and foremost I am honest, I have integrity, I am well respected on both sides of the aisle and I get things done. I am a life long resident of the 40th district. I have over 30 years of public service experience. .. not as a career politician, but as a public servant at the local and regional level ... that is in addition to running a business, running a first-generation farm operation, raising a family and serving my community as my civic duty. Over that time, I have a great track record and reputation for working hard for all citizens that I represent. In my experience of running my business, I personally know how property tax, payroll and everyday expenses affect business owners and all employees. I also know what red tape is created as a result of excessive regulation, government over-reach and excessive legislation. My first-hand understanding of how detrimental these factors can be to business and their workers makes me the ideal voice for western Kansas. In my time representing western Kansas at the state level I am proud to have worked to save our county fairs, been integral in getting roads, highways and infrastructure approved and funded in our district, addressed critical water issues, as well as helping pass The Farm Bureau Health Care Option. Additionally, we were successful in getting funding for youth mental health in Western Kansas. All of these affect all of my constituents and I will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of all citizens on priorities such as these. I have proudly served as the Chair or Vice-Chair on important committees such as Building and Construction, Budget, Ways and Means, Financial Institutions, Insurance and Benefits. I have also served on the Agriculture Committee. I have 40 years of business, farming and leadership experience, which makes me the ideal candidate to continue to work on behalf of Western Kansas to tackle the issues that face us today as well as in the future. I believe in working to improve the quality of life for all Kansans, especially those who are our most vulnerable citizens.&nbsp;<h2>In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing the people of western Kansas and how best should the Kansas State Senate address that concern?&nbsp;</h2>The biggest issue facing our district is property tax, which is highly correlated to the biggest issue facing our state, the budget. Last year I helped to pass a legislative bill, which would have eliminated the tax lid, and put a more transparent approach to this process. Unfortunately, this bill was vetoed by the Governor. This upcoming term I plan to pick up right where we were stopped to push for a more fair and transparent process to property tax and the overall budget.<h2>As water rights continue to be a growing concern in western Kansas, how would you strike a balance between the needs of ag producers and cities in their use and conservation and distribution of the resource?&nbsp;</h2>We have to continue to work with Ground Water Management Districts. I do not think we need to legislate water rights; the best approach to this important issue is to give appropriate support and resources to the local Ground Water Management Districts.<h2>Access to good local healthcare is an extremely important part of life for many in western’s Kansas rural communities. What is the best way to ensure rural hospitals and medical providers can continue to survive as populations decline and grow older?&nbsp;</h2>The key to rural hospitals and rule health care is telemedicine. We need to continue and improve upon initiatives that support first responders, doctors and access to traditional approaches. As we look to the future we must make sure the laws and infrastructure, such as expanding broadband internet access, is in place to implement additional virtual health care in the 40th District. Furthermore, we need to work on enhanced reimbursements to rural hospitals and medical centers; supporting these rural hospitals to have flexibility on services offered as well as bed size while maintaining full Medicare reimbursement rates. We need to add additional primary care options for all Kansans.&nbsp;<h2>Three out of four states that border Kansas now allow some form of the sale of Marijuana. Is it a good time for Kansas to follow suit, and do you support such an action?&nbsp;</h2>I am open to the specific and limited medical use of Marijuana and would welcome reviewing such legislation.<h2>Initially, COVID-19 hit the more urban areas of Kansas harder than in the more rural parts of the state. Now that has shifted and western Kansas towns are dealing with some of the highest infection rates per capita in the country. If elected (or re-elected), what action would you support to further limit the infection rate and subsequent deaths?&nbsp;</h2>I support helping local leaders with all the resources this state has to offer. It is key for these local municipalities to have access to the most relevant and reliable information, training, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It is essential that we help our local leaders make the best decisions for their communities.&nbsp;<h2>Do you support Medicaid expansion in Kansas and why or why not?&nbsp;</h2>Yes, I have supported expanding Medicaid. It is very important revenue for our rural hospitals and those who do not qualify for insurance on the exchange. However, there are key elements of Medicaid expansion that need to be clarified such as: • What will the taxpayers have to pay? This needs to be budget neutral to taxpayers. &nbsp;• What are the work requirements or pathways to work? &nbsp;• If someone who has income between the 100% - 138% of the defined poverty level, would these individuals still have the right to stay on their current private insurance plan if they have such coverage or would they be forced onto Medicaid? &nbsp;• Will there be established covenants regarding the future of federal matching? &nbsp;• How many individuals are expected to enroll in the program? &nbsp;• Who will be responsible for administering the expansion of this program? • Will there be an income-based premium? &nbsp;• Will this expansion of the program include enhanced reimbursements to hospitals?&nbsp;<h2>As Kansas emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, what actions would you support to ensure a full economic recovery in western Kansas?&nbsp;</h2>I support protection from liabilities for businesses, prohibiting surprise medical bills for patients treated in hospitals and ERs, and advocating for the expansion of Telehealth with expanded broadband access.<h2>With energy production a substantial economic driver in Kansas, what measures would you support that can continue to ensure energy sector jobs remain in the area but also addresses the diminishing amount of oil in the region and climate change concerns?&nbsp;</h2>I support Oil and Gas as well as the great opportunities for work that these industries bring to the 40th District. I think it is important to point out that these businesses follow all rules and regulations and are doing a great job at protecting our environment while supplying us with the needed energy for our infrastructure. Although natural resources are gradually being depleted, I am confident that these business leaders will continue to operate in a manner which will safely innovate on the best new methods and technologies. The last thing we need to do is create more barriers to stand in the way of their innovation.&nbsp;<h2>During a protest in the capital, you were captured on video trying to block footage from being taken after a fellow Republican senator pushed an elderly protestor causing him to fall. The high school senior that captured the video said at the time that you had “a smirk on his face as he's doing it like he's getting pleasure trying to take away my First Amendment rights." Can you explain what happened and how you would handle similar incidents in the future?&nbsp;</h2>Back in March, I was at the Capital when a group of
protesters illegally blocked the entrance to the chambers and surrounded us.
However, the events as depicted by your description as well as the original
media reporting are not accurate. As I stated after the incident, I do not
believe my colleague, Senator Eric Rucker, pushed or shoved anyone that day. As
concluded by both Democratic and Republican leadership, the video circulated
was clearly manipulated. Other video accounts from that day not only show what
really happened, but I want to note that Senator Rucker helped the man who fell
stand back up. Furthermore, I am a staunch proponent of the First Amendment.

Kan. 40th District Senate Candidate: Rick Billinger

The race for the Kansas 40th District Senate seat features <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/46adf98e-9981-47b7-b214-59c3ff828e69">Republican incumbent Rick Billinger, R-Goodland,&nbsp;</a>and Democratic challenger Larry Dreiling, D-Hays.

I offer a fresh start for our district while possessing over 40 years of experience in the understanding of and reporting on the issues that affect the people of the area. At the same time, I offer a name trusted for telling the truth.

There are short and long-term issues that need to be addressed in their own way. The short-term issue is dealing with the pandemic and the multitude of problems it creates. The disconnect between the urban east and rural west is the most pressing long-term issue. Both require Republicans and Democrats, whether they be rural or urban, to work together. The current legislative structure, with Republican supermajorities, delivers only conflict between parties and regions. Eliminating supermajorities would cause force all sides to a negotiating table to solve problems.

Kansas needs an effective Division of Water Resources to arbitrate between divided parties and solve problems before they head to the court system.

We need Medicaid expansion. It will net small hospitals additional money without raising taxes and possibly add jobs to each county of the district.

Three out of four states that border Kansas now allow some form of the sale of Marijuana. Is it a good time for Kansas to follow suit, and do you support such an action?

Since numerous studies have shown that these products are not “gateway drugs” and the potential for increased tax revenue is excellent, I am in favor of the gradual liberation of marijuana laws to include full legalization of recreational products.

I am in favor of a statewide mask mandate. Until a vaccine is found and sufficient immunity is seen, I will support mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand washing to ward off this fatal disease.

As Kansas emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, what actions would you support to ensure a full economic recovery in western Kansas?

By what measure do you mean “full?” If it means the same number of people employed in the same sort of jobs in the same places, we likely won’t see that. We likely will also see continued organic population loss, no matter what happens. We need to support ways our part of the state will “shrink smart,” by supporting good schools, diverse populations, and new jobs through development of non-traditional industries, though still being centered around agriculture.

I wish I had a magic wand to help the oil industry. I don’t. I will do my best to keep them going, along with supporting our ethanol production facilities and welcoming systems to provide fast charging of electric vehicles in an all-of-the-above approach toward a strong Kansas energy economy.

Following more than four decades of experience working as a journalist, including 30-years at the High Plains Journal, why did you leave that position?

I was laid off after 30 years in a series of massive layoffs following an ownership change. It was not of my choosing. It happens. It’s happened to a lot of reporters, especially those my age. After several months of thought, study, and prayer, I decided to make this run for the Kansas Senate. God knows our state needs to end the divisions in our government. I believe my opponent does not want to solve our state’s problems but would rather have it continue to fall behind surrounding states and see our region lose its best and brightest rather than join together to bring diverse minds toward renewal of our region and our state.

The race for the Kansas 40th District Senate seat features <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/46adf98e-9981-47b7-b214-59c3ff828e69">Republican incumbent Rick Billinger, R-Goodland,&nbsp;</a>and Democratic challenger Larry Dreiling, D-Hays.For the following Q&amp;A, both candidates were asked to submit responses to the same nine questions, with one additional question specific to the candidate. The answers here are presented as submitted.<h2>What is it that better qualifies you for a seat in the Kansas State Senate than your opponent?&nbsp;</h2>I offer a fresh start for our district while possessing over 40 years of experience in the understanding of and reporting on the issues that affect the people of the area. At the same time, I offer a name trusted for telling the truth.<h2>In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue facing the people of western Kansas and how best should the Kansas State Senate address that concern?&nbsp;</h2>There are short and long-term issues that need to be addressed in their own way. The short-term issue is dealing with the pandemic and the multitude of problems it creates. The disconnect between the urban east and rural west is the most pressing long-term issue. Both require Republicans and Democrats, whether they be rural or urban, to work together. The current legislative structure, with Republican supermajorities, delivers only conflict between parties and regions. Eliminating supermajorities would cause force all sides to a negotiating table to solve problems.<h2>As water rights continue to be a growing concern in western Kansas, how would you strike a balance between the needs of ag producers and cities in their use and conservation and distribution of the resource?&nbsp;</h2>Kansas needs an effective Division of Water Resources to arbitrate between divided parties and solve problems before they head to the court system.<h2>Access to good local healthcare is an extremely important part of life for many in western’s Kansas rural communities. What is the best way to ensure rural hospitals and medical providers can continue to survive as populations decline and grow older?&nbsp;</h2>We need Medicaid expansion. It will net small hospitals additional money without raising taxes and possibly add jobs to each county of the district.<h2>Three out of four states that border Kansas now allow some form of the sale of Marijuana. Is it a good time for Kansas to follow suit, and do you support such an action?</h2>Since numerous studies have shown that these products are not “gateway drugs” and the potential for increased tax revenue is excellent, I am in favor of the gradual liberation of marijuana laws to include full legalization of recreational products.<h2>Initially, COVID-19 hit the more urban areas of Kansas harder than in the more rural parts of the state. Now that has shifted and western Kansas towns are dealing with some of the highest infection rates per capita in the country. If elected (or re-elected), what action would you support to further limit the infection rate and subsequent deaths?&nbsp;</h2>I am in favor of a statewide mask mandate. Until a vaccine is found and sufficient immunity is seen, I will support mask-wearing, social distancing, and frequent hand washing to ward off this fatal disease.<h2>Do you support Medicaid expansion in Kansas and why or why not?&nbsp;</h2>Yes. See answer to Question No. 4.<h2>As Kansas emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, what actions would you support to ensure a full economic recovery in western Kansas?</h2>By what measure do you mean “full?” If it means the same number of people employed in the same sort of jobs in the same places, we likely won’t see that. We likely will also see continued organic population loss, no matter what happens. We need to support ways our part of the state will “shrink smart,” by supporting good schools, diverse populations, and new jobs through development of non-traditional industries, though still being centered around agriculture.<h2>With energy production a substantial economic driver in Kansas, what measures would you support that can continue to ensure energy sector jobs remain in the area but also addresses the diminishing amount of oil in the region and climate change concerns?&nbsp;</h2>I wish I had a magic wand to help the oil industry. I don’t. I will do my best to keep them going, along with supporting our ethanol production facilities and welcoming systems to provide fast charging of electric vehicles in an all-of-the-above approach toward a strong Kansas energy economy.<h2>Following more than four decades of experience working as a journalist, including 30-years at the High Plains Journal, why did you leave that position?</h2>I was laid off after 30 years in a series of massive layoffs following an ownership change. It was not of my choosing. It happens. It’s happened to a lot of reporters, especially those my age. After several months of thought, study, and prayer, I decided to make this run for the Kansas Senate. God knows our state needs to end the divisions in our government. I believe my opponent does not want to solve our state’s problems but would rather have it continue to fall behind surrounding states and see our region lose its best and brightest rather than join together to bring diverse minds toward renewal of our region and our state.

Kan. 40th District Senate Candidate: Larry Dreiling

Compiled by Cristina Janney/Hays Post

Experience?&nbsp; I have worked as the Ellis County Deputy Clerk since January of 2013. I have worked right underneath the Clerk as her deputy for eight years in January.

Why are you running for the Clerk’s Office? Because I know the office. You definitely need experience in the office. I enjoy serving the public. I enjoy working with people. Ellis County in general is a great employer to work for. I really like the job — being deputy right now.

What do you think the Clerk can do to promote higher voter turnout? We can promote it by doing public announcements. Letting [voters] know when advance voting is taking place. Letting them know where it is at and the hours and know where their poll sites are. Unfortunately, the budget does not allow for a lot of advertising.&nbsp;

Going to certain groups like the Hays Chamber and seeing if they can help promote it. I would also promote elections and voter registration by continuing to go to the high school and talking with juniors and seniors on voting and getting them registered to vote.&nbsp;

I am going to work closely with the nursing/assisted living homes on permanent advanced voting. I would work with the administrators of those places so residents have the proper forms filled out for permanent advanced voting.

What do you think the Clerk can do to secure election results? I am member of Election Infrastructure Information Sharing, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. We get security alerts from the Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;

When that big story broke about Iran and Russia, we were notified of that to be on a telephone conference call about that, along with our IT department. I know just being a member of that organization helps keep us abreast of what is going on out there as far as any security breaches.&nbsp;

We also work closely with our IT department. We work hand and hand with them to make sure we have all our firewalls and security that we need to keep the voter registration safe. That comes along with direction from the Secretary of State's Office. They let us know when there are security breaches, what is going on about the county or any security breaches other counties might have.

What can be done to ensure the accuracy of election results and their reporting? With our new election equipment, it is really easy to ensure accurate results, because No. 1 it is totally paper based. With what we get through advance voting and people putting their ballots in that gives us a total number. Those two need to match up. If they don't, we start going through the ballots one by one.&nbsp;

When the polling sites bring in their ballots along with the results, those need to match up with the ballots that are voted. They need to match up with what is on the USB for the results. It also needs to match up with the poll books on which people were checked in. It is three tiers at the poll sites. You have your poll pads, which need to match up with what your ballots are, and your ballots need to match up with your report that comes off the USB as it was fed in.

We are now required by the Secretary of State to have an audit after the election. With this General Election, they let us know what we need to audit. What that means is that we have to pick 1 percent of our precincts, which is one. We have to literally go through every ballot and make sure it matches with what was brought in to us.&nbsp;

We literally hand by hand go through. Say it is Ward 1 Precinct 1, we have to get every ballot and make sure the totals that were taken off Election Day at the poll site matches exactly what we ran off.&nbsp;

We then report those results to the state. We have gone through two audits, and we have been fine on each one of them. We had no issues with matching up with what the poll sites said we should have.

In what other ways do you think the Clerk’s Office functions and service to the community can be improved? Just letting the community know we are the passport agent. I am not saying there is no room for improvement, but right now we do a really good job at that.

Our office is also responsible for setting the levies every year to make sure the taxpayers pay the correct amount of taxes. That is a function of our office that is very crucial. I am not saying there haven't been mistakes in the past, but in the last five or six years, we have really refined our process in getting that done and getting that done as quickly as we can, bar other circumstances that are beyond our control.&nbsp;

When people call about specials on their real estate, we give them that information. Our office is one that gets almost every phone call that we either help or we direct to the Appraiser or Register of Deeds.

Why do you think you are more qualified than your opponent? &nbsp;No. 1, I have almost eight years of experience. Coming into this office almost eight years ago, I had no idea what that office was responsible for. I had no idea it entailed as much of the election. I had no idea what goes on behind the scenes to run an election. Paying my taxes every year, I had no idea how those numbers came about. Working through it the last eight years, it is a difficult process — one that takes expertise.

If I had walked into that office with no one in front of me showing me, I am not saying the county would have stopped, it is a process you have to have someone leading in front of you. It would take a process to learn it by yourself.

I definitely have that over my opponent — the eight years of how that process runs.

Editor's note: Mail-in ballots went out in Ellis County for the 2020 General Election that listed the Kansas Senate race as the U.S. Senate race. Dreiling is referencing that error in the answer to the next question.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0966a88e-644e-41e4-9191-6bbb0f57ac0e">See Related Story: Ellis Co. ballot misprint could be issue if Bollier, Marshall race is close</a>

Write-in candidate Laura Allen has been critical of the current clerk's administration of this election. Would you like to address that? I would rather not because that is the County Clerk's position. We literally do the best that we can. Mistakes do happen. This mistake that happened was one that was correctable and one that we are continuing working through.&nbsp;

Unfortunately our office is not perfect. We are working through this process of correcting it, and we have already done that.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603747534924.jpeg" alt="Bobbi Dreiling" />
 <figcaption>Bobbi Dreiling</figcaption>
 </figure>Compiled by Cristina Janney/Hays PostAge: 57Party: Republican Experience?&nbsp; I have worked as the Ellis County Deputy Clerk since January of 2013. I have worked right underneath the Clerk as her deputy for eight years in January.Why are you running for the Clerk’s Office? Because I know the office. You definitely need experience in the office. I enjoy serving the public. I enjoy working with people. Ellis County in general is a great employer to work for. I really like the job — being deputy right now.What do you think the Clerk can do to promote higher voter turnout? We can promote it by doing public announcements. Letting [voters] know when advance voting is taking place. Letting them know where it is at and the hours and know where their poll sites are. Unfortunately, the budget does not allow for a lot of advertising.&nbsp;Going to certain groups like the Hays Chamber and seeing if they can help promote it. I would also promote elections and voter registration by continuing to go to the high school and talking with juniors and seniors on voting and getting them registered to vote.&nbsp;I am going to work closely with the nursing/assisted living homes on permanent advanced voting. I would work with the administrators of those places so residents have the proper forms filled out for permanent advanced voting.What do you think the Clerk can do to secure election results? I am member of Election Infrastructure Information Sharing, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. We get security alerts from the Department of Homeland Security.&nbsp;When that big story broke about Iran and Russia, we were notified of that to be on a telephone conference call about that, along with our IT department. I know just being a member of that organization helps keep us abreast of what is going on out there as far as any security breaches.&nbsp;We also work closely with our IT department. We work hand and hand with them to make sure we have all our firewalls and security that we need to keep the voter registration safe. That comes along with direction from the Secretary of State's Office. They let us know when there are security breaches, what is going on about the county or any security breaches other counties might have.What can be done to ensure the accuracy of election results and their reporting? With our new election equipment, it is really easy to ensure accurate results, because No. 1 it is totally paper based. With what we get through advance voting and people putting their ballots in that gives us a total number. Those two need to match up. If they don't, we start going through the ballots one by one.&nbsp;When the polling sites bring in their ballots along with the results, those need to match up with the ballots that are voted. They need to match up with what is on the USB for the results. It also needs to match up with the poll books on which people were checked in. It is three tiers at the poll sites. You have your poll pads, which need to match up with what your ballots are, and your ballots need to match up with your report that comes off the USB as it was fed in.We are now required by the Secretary of State to have an audit after the election. With this General Election, they let us know what we need to audit. What that means is that we have to pick 1 percent of our precincts, which is one. We have to literally go through every ballot and make sure it matches with what was brought in to us.&nbsp;We literally hand by hand go through. Say it is Ward 1 Precinct 1, we have to get every ballot and make sure the totals that were taken off Election Day at the poll site matches exactly what we ran off.&nbsp;We then report those results to the state. We have gone through two audits, and we have been fine on each one of them. We had no issues with matching up with what the poll sites said we should have.In what other ways do you think the Clerk’s Office functions and service to the community can be improved? Just letting the community know we are the passport agent. I am not saying there is no room for improvement, but right now we do a really good job at that.Our office is also responsible for setting the levies every year to make sure the taxpayers pay the correct amount of taxes. That is a function of our office that is very crucial. I am not saying there haven't been mistakes in the past, but in the last five or six years, we have really refined our process in getting that done and getting that done as quickly as we can, bar other circumstances that are beyond our control.&nbsp;When people call about specials on their real estate, we give them that information. Our office is one that gets almost every phone call that we either help or we direct to the Appraiser or Register of Deeds.Why do you think you are more qualified than your opponent? &nbsp;No. 1, I have almost eight years of experience. Coming into this office almost eight years ago, I had no idea what that office was responsible for. I had no idea it entailed as much of the election. I had no idea what goes on behind the scenes to run an election. Paying my taxes every year, I had no idea how those numbers came about. Working through it the last eight years, it is a difficult process — one that takes expertise.If I had walked into that office with no one in front of me showing me, I am not saying the county would have stopped, it is a process you have to have someone leading in front of you. It would take a process to learn it by yourself.I definitely have that over my opponent — the eight years of how that process runs.Editor's note: Mail-in ballots went out in Ellis County for the 2020 General Election that listed the Kansas Senate race as the U.S. Senate race. Dreiling is referencing that error in the answer to the next question.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0966a88e-644e-41e4-9191-6bbb0f57ac0e">See Related Story: Ellis Co. ballot misprint could be issue if Bollier, Marshall race is close</a>Write-in candidate Laura Allen has been critical of the current clerk's administration of this election. Would you like to address that? I would rather not because that is the County Clerk's position. We literally do the best that we can. Mistakes do happen. This mistake that happened was one that was correctable and one that we are continuing working through.&nbsp;Unfortunately our office is not perfect. We are working through this process of correcting it, and we have already done that.&nbsp;

Ellis County Clerk Candidate: Bobbi Dreiling

Party: Democrat — write-in candidate

Experience? First, I have a bachelor's degree in business administration from Fort Hays, which encompasses a lot of what the Clerk's Office does. I have through different job experiences managed up to 20 to 25 people on a team at a time. I have managed a couple of retail stories, so I have worked with budgets and payroll and HR functions.&nbsp;

Why are you running for the Clerk’s Office? When I first decided to run, it was because I felt if we are having an election, people should have a choice in who they are voting for. After the voting machine snafu in 2018, I looked a little more into offices. I thought this fit with my qualifications. I really liked the idea of the voting portion of it — the Election Officer.&nbsp;

I think our Clerk's Office has made a lot of mistakes that don't need to be made. When we don't have a choice in who is there, I don't think that is fair to the people in Ellis County.&nbsp;

Editor's note: Mail-in ballots went out in Ellis County for the 2020 General Election that listed the Kansas Senate race as the U.S. Senate race. Allen is referencing that ballot error in the answer to the next question.

What mistakes specifically do you feel have been made? The ballots are wrong to begin with. That is a huge thing. I don't know why our Clerk's Office decided to initial ballots separately. There is supposed to be an identifying mark that is consistent to each ballot, according to the Secretary of State, to verify its authenticity to as coming from the Clerk's Office.&nbsp;

Many other counties have used stamps. We can't because the voting equipment that we spent a lot of money on doesn't allow for stamp ink to be read. The next option would be for one person to initial all of the ballots so those initials were the same as opposed to different initials for the people who work in the Clerk's Office. That was a mistake that was made.&nbsp;

A couple of weeks ago the Deputy Clerk told people if they had an unexpunged felony on their record, they couldn't vote. And that is not true. That is incorrect information. She posted an apology for misinformation on her Facebook. That concerns me, I don't know how many people over the last eight years were told they couldn't vote when they are certainly eligible to vote.

Editor's note: In Kansas, a federal or state felony conviction results in the loss of voting rights until the terms of the felony sentence is complete. A sentence is not considered complete until probation or parole is finished. Individuals who lose their voting rights due to a felony conviction may re-register to vote upon completion of their sentence. Information from&nbsp;sos.ks.gov.

Bobbi Dreiling did on her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bobbi-Dreiling-for-Ellis-County-Clerk-112968323760392/">Bobbi Dreiling for Ellis County Clerk</a>&nbsp;Facebook page make a reference to felons being unable to vote. The post was made on Sept. 29. Dreiling posted a correction on Oct. 6 on that same Facebook page.

Do you differentiate at all between the current Clerk, Donna Maskus, and Deputy Clerk Bobbi Dreiling, who is running in this election? I think as the Deputy Clerk they should take responsibility for each other. I don't think it should be differentiated. That office is one and the same. I would hope if the office is being run in the manner that it should be that the Deputy Clerk has some type of say in those decisions.&nbsp;

I hate to think the ballot snafu was Donna Maskus looking at the ballot and no one else proofreading it. There is also another statute that says that ballot is supposed to be sent to the candidates and the respective political parties in the county. Donna said she believed those went out. I double checked, and none of the other candidates got those ballots in the mail. There were opportunities for that mistake to have been caught.&nbsp;

Yes, while the Deputy Clerk is not who is currently in charge, based on her telling us she has eight years of experience in that office, I would hope she has experience with things like proofreading a ballot.&nbsp;

What do you think the Clerk can do to promote higher voter turnout? I feel there is a lot to be said for engagement. I don't feel like I am completely removed from the things that go on in Ellis County. I don't see much, except around the time there is an election.&nbsp;

I think we should have voter registrations at different events. I don't see those sorts of things happening.&nbsp;

My daughter is in high school and until my son asked her to join the Young Democrats, I don't think she has been talked to at school about voting. The election process and the Clerk's Office, even though I have to run under a political party and everybody has to run under a political party, I don't believe that should be in any way partisan.

Everybody should vote. I want everybody to vote. If we go to the high school and talk to the classes about voting, we want Republicans to vote. We want Democrats to vote — everybody to have their voice heard.

My daughter had never been talked to at school. My son graduated just last year. I don't believe anyone had talked to him at school. There is a community outreach, but I think there should be community involvement in getting people to vote — working with the college and getting those kids to vote. Making sure we are going out of our way to help the people who want to vote, give them the right information. Get it out there. Have events.&nbsp;

What do you think the Clerk can do to secure election results? I think it is important that it be non-partisan teamwork. I know there are a lot of groups. I hate there seems to be so much animosity between said groups.&nbsp;

I know [County Clerk Donna Maskus] actually has reached out to the Democratic Party and kept us informed now of how those votes will be counted and opened and that sort of thing, and that's great. I think allowing people the access and seeing how that is handled, I think that goes a long way to at least calming people's fears a little bit about the security of the election. There is a transparency there that I think would really make a difference.

What can be done to ensure the accuracy of election results and their reporting? I think working together with other groups. Not to say there should be huge numbers of people in any voting scenario, but I think there is something to be said for letting the local Democratic Party, the local Republican Party and candidates be a part of that process. Their checks and balances make a huge difference.&nbsp;

The Clerk's Office does not have to be an entity in and of its self. There is a network of county offices and people. I think if you utilize that, there is a huge resource there to help ensure the integrity and the accuracy of the counting and reporting.&nbsp;

In what other ways do you think the Clerk’s Office functions and service to the community can be improved? To be fair, I don't have a lot of experience with the Clerk's functions. I would assume that accounting functions and statute functions don't have a whole lot of leeway. I am going to guess some of those Clerk functions like the tax liens and the alcoholic beverage forms and that sort of thing — you don't have a lot of leeway there. It has to be done correctly.&nbsp;As far as the Clerk functions go, there is not a lot that can be changed there.

I am sure there are also some functions on the election side of things, that we could think outside of the box a little bit and be open and willing to accept the idea that there may be a better way to do things rather than the way that it has always been done. I think that is a step in the right direction.

Why do you think you are more qualified than your opponent? I believe No. 1 my resume qualifications are a better. I do believe probably 90 percent of the Clerk functions are something that we have covered or that I learned in order to get my business degree. I also think that the budgeting, payroll and the HR functions I have already dealt with have a lot to do with what happens in the Clerk's Office.&nbsp;

At the same time, I also think I have an openness and willingness to see there might be better ways to do things. And to say I don't know how this works so I want to find the right answer as opposed to thinking this is the way it's always been done so this is the right answer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603823723316.png" alt="Laura Allen" />
 <figcaption>Laura Allen</figcaption>
 </figure>Age: 47Party: Democrat — write-in candidateExperience? First, I have a bachelor's degree in business administration from Fort Hays, which encompasses a lot of what the Clerk's Office does. I have through different job experiences managed up to 20 to 25 people on a team at a time. I have managed a couple of retail stories, so I have worked with budgets and payroll and HR functions.&nbsp;Why are you running for the Clerk’s Office? When I first decided to run, it was because I felt if we are having an election, people should have a choice in who they are voting for. After the voting machine snafu in 2018, I looked a little more into offices. I thought this fit with my qualifications. I really liked the idea of the voting portion of it — the Election Officer.&nbsp;I think our Clerk's Office has made a lot of mistakes that don't need to be made. When we don't have a choice in who is there, I don't think that is fair to the people in Ellis County.&nbsp;Editor's note: Mail-in ballots went out in Ellis County for the 2020 General Election that listed the Kansas Senate race as the U.S. Senate race. Allen is referencing that ballot error in the answer to the next question.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/0966a88e-644e-41e4-9191-6bbb0f57ac0e">See Related Story: Ellis Co. ballot misprint could be issue if Bollier, Marshall race is close</a>What mistakes specifically do you feel have been made? The ballots are wrong to begin with. That is a huge thing. I don't know why our Clerk's Office decided to initial ballots separately. There is supposed to be an identifying mark that is consistent to each ballot, according to the Secretary of State, to verify its authenticity to as coming from the Clerk's Office.&nbsp;Many other counties have used stamps. We can't because the voting equipment that we spent a lot of money on doesn't allow for stamp ink to be read. The next option would be for one person to initial all of the ballots so those initials were the same as opposed to different initials for the people who work in the Clerk's Office. That was a mistake that was made.&nbsp;A couple of weeks ago the Deputy Clerk told people if they had an unexpunged felony on their record, they couldn't vote. And that is not true. That is incorrect information. She posted an apology for misinformation on her Facebook. That concerns me, I don't know how many people over the last eight years were told they couldn't vote when they are certainly eligible to vote.Editor's note: In Kansas, a federal or state felony conviction results in the loss of voting rights until the terms of the felony sentence is complete. A sentence is not considered complete until probation or parole is finished. Individuals who lose their voting rights due to a felony conviction may re-register to vote upon completion of their sentence. Information from&nbsp;sos.ks.gov.Bobbi Dreiling did on her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bobbi-Dreiling-for-Ellis-County-Clerk-112968323760392/">Bobbi Dreiling for Ellis County Clerk</a>&nbsp;Facebook page make a reference to felons being unable to vote. The post was made on Sept. 29. Dreiling posted a correction on Oct. 6 on that same Facebook page.Do you differentiate at all between the current Clerk, Donna Maskus, and Deputy Clerk Bobbi Dreiling, who is running in this election? I think as the Deputy Clerk they should take responsibility for each other. I don't think it should be differentiated. That office is one and the same. I would hope if the office is being run in the manner that it should be that the Deputy Clerk has some type of say in those decisions.&nbsp;I hate to think the ballot snafu was Donna Maskus looking at the ballot and no one else proofreading it. There is also another statute that says that ballot is supposed to be sent to the candidates and the respective political parties in the county. Donna said she believed those went out. I double checked, and none of the other candidates got those ballots in the mail. There were opportunities for that mistake to have been caught.&nbsp;Yes, while the Deputy Clerk is not who is currently in charge, based on her telling us she has eight years of experience in that office, I would hope she has experience with things like proofreading a ballot.&nbsp;What do you think the Clerk can do to promote higher voter turnout? I feel there is a lot to be said for engagement. I don't feel like I am completely removed from the things that go on in Ellis County. I don't see much, except around the time there is an election.&nbsp;I think we should have voter registrations at different events. I don't see those sorts of things happening.&nbsp;My daughter is in high school and until my son asked her to join the Young Democrats, I don't think she has been talked to at school about voting. The election process and the Clerk's Office, even though I have to run under a political party and everybody has to run under a political party, I don't believe that should be in any way partisan.Everybody should vote. I want everybody to vote. If we go to the high school and talk to the classes about voting, we want Republicans to vote. We want Democrats to vote — everybody to have their voice heard.My daughter had never been talked to at school. My son graduated just last year. I don't believe anyone had talked to him at school. There is a community outreach, but I think there should be community involvement in getting people to vote — working with the college and getting those kids to vote. Making sure we are going out of our way to help the people who want to vote, give them the right information. Get it out there. Have events.&nbsp;What do you think the Clerk can do to secure election results? I think it is important that it be non-partisan teamwork. I know there are a lot of groups. I hate there seems to be so much animosity between said groups.&nbsp;I know [County Clerk Donna Maskus] actually has reached out to the Democratic Party and kept us informed now of how those votes will be counted and opened and that sort of thing, and that's great. I think allowing people the access and seeing how that is handled, I think that goes a long way to at least calming people's fears a little bit about the security of the election. There is a transparency there that I think would really make a difference.What can be done to ensure the accuracy of election results and their reporting? I think working together with other groups. Not to say there should be huge numbers of people in any voting scenario, but I think there is something to be said for letting the local Democratic Party, the local Republican Party and candidates be a part of that process. Their checks and balances make a huge difference.&nbsp;The Clerk's Office does not have to be an entity in and of its self. There is a network of county offices and people. I think if you utilize that, there is a huge resource there to help ensure the integrity and the accuracy of the counting and reporting.&nbsp;In what other ways do you think the Clerk’s Office functions and service to the community can be improved? To be fair, I don't have a lot of experience with the Clerk's functions. I would assume that accounting functions and statute functions don't have a whole lot of leeway. I am going to guess some of those Clerk functions like the tax liens and the alcoholic beverage forms and that sort of thing — you don't have a lot of leeway there. It has to be done correctly.&nbsp;As far as the Clerk functions go, there is not a lot that can be changed there. I am sure there are also some functions on the election side of things, that we could think outside of the box a little bit and be open and willing to accept the idea that there may be a better way to do things rather than the way that it has always been done. I think that is a step in the right direction.Why do you think you are more qualified than your opponent? I believe No. 1 my resume qualifications are a better. I do believe probably 90 percent of the Clerk functions are something that we have covered or that I learned in order to get my business degree. I also think that the budgeting, payroll and the HR functions I have already dealt with have a lot to do with what happens in the Clerk's Office.&nbsp;At the same time, I also think I have an openness and willingness to see there might be better ways to do things. And to say I don't know how this works so I want to find the right answer as opposed to thinking this is the way it's always been done so this is the right answer.

Ellis County Clerk Candidate: Laura Allen

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

Ellis County Treasurer candidate Sherry Dryden believes her
experience and temperament make her the right person to bring stability to the
office.

Dryden has lived and worked in Ellis County for the
past 39 years and has severed in a variety of roles during that time, including
working in human resources management, project management, serving on the USD
489 school board and as the executive director of two Kansas nonprofit groups.


After serving as the executive director for the United Way
of Ellis County for four years, Dryden most recently has been the executive
director of the Central and Western Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross and
served in that role for just shy of a year.

Dryden will face Vernon Ruder Jr. and incumbent Lisa Schlegel in Tuesday's Republican primary.

Dryden said working in those positions has allowed her to develop
several skills that are similar to the duties the treasurer performs.

“Everywhere I’ve worked, we’ve always had to work with
budgets,” Dryden said. “Not just establishing the budget, but working with your
various accounts, accounts payables (and) receivables and collections.”

She said that experience will also make it easy for her to
be able to work with the commission to set the treasurer’s department budget
each year.

Dryden also pointed to her work with a finance commission
while the executive director of the United Way as an example of her ability to
make sound financial decisions for Ellis County.

Funds are now allocated through a two-year process that
allows agencies to know exactly how much money they are going to receive,
because Dryden said those funds that are raised are what is allocated to the
agencies.

The agency used to pre-promise funds to the agencies and, if
the United Way failed to raise the necessary funds, agencies were left
scrambling to adjust their budgets.

They also addressed some of their investment issues to develop
a contingency plan to help in years where the money raised may have been less
than expected. 

Dryden said one of the biggest reasons she is running for
the county treasurer position is to restore the office after several years of
disorder.

“I want to restore the treasurer’s department with trust,
transparency, morals, ethics, professionalism and teamwork,” Dryden said. “What
I’ve experienced and what I’ve learned from others I have become frustrated.”

Dryden said she will also stress communication within the
office. She said they have had negative experiences with the treasurer’s
department and she said when speaking with Ellis County voters she believes she
is not alone.

She said she doesn’t blame the treasury staff; she instead
believes the current training lacks in some areas.

“I really feel the treasurer needs to make sure they are
delivering customer service support with their staff,” Dryden said.

“I will be a working treasurer who will be right there
beside staff,” Dryden said. “I want to ensure that I learn every staff’s job
duties and functions.”

If elected, Dryden said  transparency will be a priority for
the office, and she said the treasurer needs to be seen in a positive light.

“At any given time, on any given business day, what are the
records of the finances of the county?” Dryden said. “That needs to be
available upon request. That is critical in ensuring trust and transparency.”

Dryden said she has been talking with treasurers across the
state and wants to implement an open-door policy that many of them have
implemented.

“Having that open-door policy for all is going to be an
asset that can only make this department stronger,” Dryden said.

She said two of the treasurers she has been working with
during the campaign have already volunteered to work with her is she is
elected.

Dryden said she is asked often by Ellis County residents about the very public incident between Ellis County Commissioner Butch Schlyer
and current Treasurer Lisa Schlegel. Schlegel was eventually escorted from the
meeting at Schlyer’s request.

Dryden said she would have never let the situation get out
of hand the way it did.

“I would not have allowed it to escalate to the level that
it did,” Dryden said. “That is key in being about to work through conflict.”

“To me, leadership is actions,” Dryden said. “A full leader
is one that gains trust through their actions, is fully transparent and will
accept feedback and work through any conflict.”

If elected, Dryden would like to create a finance committee
that allows the department to explore financial growth opportunities.

According to Dryden, the goal of the committee would be to “ensure
fair and equitable opportunities for all financial opportunities for all
financial institutions in our area.”

She said the investments must also be reviewed on a regular
basis.

“Are we truly getting the best investments?”

Dryden also wants to treasurer’s office to be involved in
the grant process in Ellis County.

She believes that her experience working with grants in her
prior positions will be an asset to the county.

Dryden said she believes the treasurer’s office can help
administer grants that Ellis County has received but also can work with other
positions to help with financial planning for grant funds.

“I really think the treasurer’s office should be a very
strong partner in helping with all grants in Ellis County,” Dryden said.

Schlegel has attacked Dryden
because her husband worked for the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, but Dryden
confirmed that he retired from the department in June.

Dryden has also been attacked for her relationship with
Deputy County Clerk Bobbie Dreiling. Dreiling is the only Republican
candidate for county clerk. 

Dryden shrugged off both allegations and said she has only
known Dreiling for a few months. 

On social media, Schlegel has also claimed that Dreiling helped Dryden
falsify the form in which candidates obtain signatures to file for office.
Dryden strongly denies the accusation and said even though she collected more
than 300 signatures, when she only needed 250, she elected to pay to filing fee
instead of continuing to collect signatures because of the governor’s statewide
lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As for Schlegel’s attacks, Dyden said she hasn’t really paid
attention to them and said she does not need to defend herself. 

“People who would
rather spend their time pointing their fingers at non-pertinent information shows
that they would rather point fingers than run their department,” Dryden said.

Dryden added, “I feel my rounded experience would be able to
re-establish pride in the department for Ellis County.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586216031348.jpeg" alt="Dryden" />
 <figcaption>Dryden</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostEllis County Treasurer candidate Sherry Dryden believes her
experience and temperament make her the right person to bring stability to the
office.Dryden has lived and worked in Ellis County for the
past 39 years and has severed in a variety of roles during that time, including
working in human resources management, project management, serving on the USD
489 school board and as the executive director of two Kansas nonprofit groups.
After serving as the executive director for the United Way
of Ellis County for four years, Dryden most recently has been the executive
director of the Central and Western Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross and
served in that role for just shy of a year.Dryden will face Vernon Ruder Jr. and incumbent Lisa Schlegel in Tuesday's Republican primary.Dryden said working in those positions has allowed her to develop
several skills that are similar to the duties the treasurer performs.“Everywhere I’ve worked, we’ve always had to work with
budgets,” Dryden said. “Not just establishing the budget, but working with your
various accounts, accounts payables (and) receivables and collections.”She said that experience will also make it easy for her to
be able to work with the commission to set the treasurer’s department budget
each year.Dryden also pointed to her work with a finance commission
while the executive director of the United Way as an example of her ability to
make sound financial decisions for Ellis County.Funds are now allocated through a two-year process that
allows agencies to know exactly how much money they are going to receive,
because Dryden said those funds that are raised are what is allocated to the
agencies.The agency used to pre-promise funds to the agencies and, if
the United Way failed to raise the necessary funds, agencies were left
scrambling to adjust their budgets.They also addressed some of their investment issues to develop
a contingency plan to help in years where the money raised may have been less
than expected. Dryden said one of the biggest reasons she is running for
the county treasurer position is to restore the office after several years of
disorder.“I want to restore the treasurer’s department with trust,
transparency, morals, ethics, professionalism and teamwork,” Dryden said. “What
I’ve experienced and what I’ve learned from others I have become frustrated.”Dryden said she will also stress communication within the
office. She said they have had negative experiences with the treasurer’s
department and she said when speaking with Ellis County voters she believes she
is not alone.She said she doesn’t blame the treasury staff; she instead
believes the current training lacks in some areas.“I really feel the treasurer needs to make sure they are
delivering customer service support with their staff,” Dryden said.“I will be a working treasurer who will be right there
beside staff,” Dryden said. “I want to ensure that I learn every staff’s job
duties and functions.”If elected, Dryden said transparency will be a priority for
the office, and she said the treasurer needs to be seen in a positive light.“At any given time, on any given business day, what are the
records of the finances of the county?” Dryden said. “That needs to be
available upon request. That is critical in ensuring trust and transparency.”Dryden said she has been talking with treasurers across the
state and wants to implement an open-door policy that many of them have
implemented.“Having that open-door policy for all is going to be an
asset that can only make this department stronger,” Dryden said.She said two of the treasurers she has been working with
during the campaign have already volunteered to work with her is she is
elected.Dryden said she is asked often by Ellis County residents about the very public incident between Ellis County Commissioner Butch Schlyer
and current Treasurer Lisa Schlegel. Schlegel was eventually escorted from the
meeting at Schlyer’s request.Dryden said she would have never let the situation get out
of hand the way it did.“I would not have allowed it to escalate to the level that
it did,” Dryden said. “That is key in being about to work through conflict.”“To me, leadership is actions,” Dryden said. “A full leader
is one that gains trust through their actions, is fully transparent and will
accept feedback and work through any conflict.”If elected, Dryden would like to create a finance committee
that allows the department to explore financial growth opportunities.According to Dryden, the goal of the committee would be to “ensure
fair and equitable opportunities for all financial opportunities for all
financial institutions in our area.”She said the investments must also be reviewed on a regular
basis.“Are we truly getting the best investments?”Dryden also wants to treasurer’s office to be involved in
the grant process in Ellis County.She believes that her experience working with grants in her
prior positions will be an asset to the county.Dryden said she believes the treasurer’s office can help
administer grants that Ellis County has received but also can work with other
positions to help with financial planning for grant funds.“I really think the treasurer’s office should be a very
strong partner in helping with all grants in Ellis County,” Dryden said.Schlegel has attacked Dryden
because her husband worked for the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office, but Dryden
confirmed that he retired from the department in June.Dryden has also been attacked for her relationship with
Deputy County Clerk Bobbie Dreiling. Dreiling is the only Republican
candidate for county clerk. Dryden shrugged off both allegations and said she has only
known Dreiling for a few months. On social media, Schlegel has also claimed that Dreiling helped Dryden
falsify the form in which candidates obtain signatures to file for office.
Dryden strongly denies the accusation and said even though she collected more
than 300 signatures, when she only needed 250, she elected to pay to filing fee
instead of continuing to collect signatures because of the governor’s statewide
lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.As for Schlegel’s attacks, Dyden said she hasn’t really paid
attention to them and said she does not need to defend herself. “People who would
rather spend their time pointing their fingers at non-pertinent information shows
that they would rather point fingers than run their department,” Dryden said.Dryden added, “I feel my rounded experience would be able to
re-establish pride in the department for Ellis County.”

CANDIDATE PROFILE Ellis County Treasurer: Sherry Dryden

Ellis County Treasurer candidate Vernon Ruder Jr.
believes his experience as the head of the county solid waste division and his
willingness to help other departments succeed make him a great candidate for the
office.

As the solid waste supervisor, Ruder has been in
charge of the Ellis County landfill for the past three years. Prior to that, Ruder also worked as a financial advisor and as a district manager for E.A.
Sween Co.

Ruder said he decided to run for the treasurer’s position
after noticing several issues with the treasurer’s office. Among those are the
turnover rate and amount of money spent in the office.

“I feel like I could come in and decrease spending and
increase efficiencies,” Ruder said.

Ruder, Sherry Dryden and incumbent Lisa Schlegel square off in Tuesday's Republican primary.

As the solid waste supervisor, Ruder is in charge of the
landfill’s $1.2 million budget. The landfill is an enterprise and ran solely on
the fees that it collects. The landfill does not receive taxpayer money to
fund its operations.

“I run it like it’s my money,” Ruder said. “That’s the way
it should be.”

Ruder said he also believes the financial background and
the skills he has developed running the solid waste division would help him
succeed in the position.

“I know for a fact that I can decrease spending by thousands
of dollars within that department,” Ruder said.

He said there are several areas where he would like to see
the department increase efficiencies.

Among the examples of things Ruder would like to implement
would be a kiosk that allowed residents to pay their tags and taxes after hours
because the administrative office closes at 4 p.m. when a lot of people don’t
get off work until 5 p.m. or later. He would also like to implement an app that
tells visitors to the office what the wait time is at the office.

Ruder also believes he will have several ideas to take in
front of the commission once he takes office, if elected.

He also believes that he will be able to help the county in
a greater capacity is elected treasurer.

“Working for the county, I feel like I have experience in
front of the commissioners giving the budget,” Ruder said.

Ruder said he gets
along with all of the other department heads and he believes that added
level of communication will also be a benefit to the treasurer’s department and
to Ellis County.

“Most departments talk to each other but I feel like that
department, the lack of communication kind of hurts,” Ruder said. “Working with
the county, I feel as though I can’t come up to them (members of the
treasurer’s office) and speak about ‘Where is my money invested at?’ ”

He said if elected he will present the county commission
with a monthly financial report, similar to the city of Hays.

“It will explain, here’s the money, here’s what we have it
invested in,” Ruder said. “I know a lot of people wouldn’t question anything if
it's all laid out on the table. That would be so much easier.”

Ruder said he also believes he has the necessary
communication skills to run the office.

Ruder also said he would be a “working elected
official.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589824071248.png" alt="Ruder" />
 <figcaption>Ruder</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostEllis County Treasurer candidate Vernon Ruder Jr.
believes his experience as the head of the county solid waste division and his
willingness to help other departments succeed make him a great candidate for the
office.As the solid waste supervisor, Ruder has been in
charge of the Ellis County landfill for the past three years. Prior to that, Ruder also worked as a financial advisor and as a district manager for E.A.
Sween Co.Ruder said he decided to run for the treasurer’s position
after noticing several issues with the treasurer’s office. Among those are the
turnover rate and amount of money spent in the office.“I feel like I could come in and decrease spending and
increase efficiencies,” Ruder said.Ruder, Sherry Dryden and incumbent Lisa Schlegel square off in Tuesday's Republican primary.As the solid waste supervisor, Ruder is in charge of the
landfill’s $1.2 million budget. The landfill is an enterprise and ran solely on
the fees that it collects. The landfill does not receive taxpayer money to
fund its operations.“I run it like it’s my money,” Ruder said. “That’s the way
it should be.”Ruder said he also believes the financial background and
the skills he has developed running the solid waste division would help him
succeed in the position.“I know for a fact that I can decrease spending by thousands
of dollars within that department,” Ruder said.He said there are several areas where he would like to see
the department increase efficiencies.Among the examples of things Ruder would like to implement
would be a kiosk that allowed residents to pay their tags and taxes after hours
because the administrative office closes at 4 p.m. when a lot of people don’t
get off work until 5 p.m. or later. He would also like to implement an app that
tells visitors to the office what the wait time is at the office.Ruder also believes he will have several ideas to take in
front of the commission once he takes office, if elected.He also believes that he will be able to help the county in
a greater capacity is elected treasurer.“Working for the county, I feel like I have experience in
front of the commissioners giving the budget,” Ruder said.Ruder said he gets
along with all of the other department heads and he believes that added
level of communication will also be a benefit to the treasurer’s department and
to Ellis County.“Most departments talk to each other but I feel like that
department, the lack of communication kind of hurts,” Ruder said. “Working with
the county, I feel as though I can’t come up to them (members of the
treasurer’s office) and speak about ‘Where is my money invested at?’ ”He said if elected he will present the county commission
with a monthly financial report, similar to the city of Hays.“It will explain, here’s the money, here’s what we have it
invested in,” Ruder said. “I know a lot of people wouldn’t question anything if
it's all laid out on the table. That would be so much easier.”Ruder said he also believes he has the necessary
communication skills to run the office.Ruder also said he would be a “working elected
official.”“When the doors are open, I will always be there,” Ruder
said. “If you have a team leader, the rest of the staff will feel more like a team.”He added his goal will be to know how to do every job within
the department, similar to how he operates the landfill.“I want to be there so I know exactly what this department
doing,” Ruder said. “If you know your whole job, you are going to be able to run
it smoother.”Ruder said he has heard from staff and some of the county
commissioners that that is one thing the department is currently lacking, a
person who is putting in the time in the office.“I will work,” Ruder said. “I’m probably one of the crazy
people that will work more than I have too.”Ruder also said he believes there is a current lack of
professionalism in the department. He pointed to the very public disagreements
current treasurer Lisa Schlegel has had with multiple commissioners.“I solve problems and I don’t create conflict," Ruder said.
“There’s no reason to have conflict. Let’s be professional about it.”Schlegel has attacked Ruder for the fact that his son, Mason, also works for the county and serves on the Hays City Commission. Mason is the
Environmental Planning Supervisor.Ruder said he and Mason work together as division heads
within the public works department but there is no nepotism as Schlegel claims, he said.Public Works Director Bill Ring said there are policies are
in place so that a family member cannot be in charge of another member of their
family. Both Vernon and Mason are on an equal level as division heads.On social media, Schlegel has also accused Vernon Ruder and Ring of
attempting to cover-up wrongdoing in a September 2019 fire that destroyed a
building and backhoe at the landfill.In her posting, Schlegel claimed someone was allowed to enter the
landfill after hours and put flammable rags in a bin that started the fire.An official investigation determined that the rags were
placed in the bin just after 4 p.m. Sept. 26, and they spontaneously
combusted around 4 a.m. the next day.Ring said insurance covered the cost of the building and the
backhoe.Ring stressed that no taxpayer funds went to those updates
because as an enterprise the landfill does not get taxpayer funds. It is run
completely on fees paid at the landfill.Ruder said Schlegel is creating these allegations because,
“she can’t find anything on me.”“I don’t know where she is coming up with all her stories,”
Ruder. “If I wasn’t running against her, there would be nothing brought up.”

Election 2020