By VERN RUDER
Thank you:
I want to thank everyone who took the time to research the candidates during the Primary Election and make the choice that best represents what you, the great citizens of Ellis County, wanted. I am so humbled to accept the nomination to represent the Republican Party and as the nominee and hope to earn the support from all citizens for Ellis County Treasurer for the General Election, November 3rd. Being one of the newest faces to the Ellis County Organization since being hired back in 2017, I never would have guessed how much I would enjoy being a servant to the public. I thrive on being able to bring a fresh eye and the perspective of 30+ years of Private Sector knowledge to move Ellis County forward.
About me:
For those who are new to my information, here is a brief history of who I am and what I am about. I grew up in Hays and have raised my family here. I have a beautiful wife, my high school sweetheart, whom I have been married to for over 31 years, three children and a granddaughter with another granddaughter on the way! I am a graduate of Thomas More Prep and NCK-Tech with a degree in Marketing Management. For a time, I worked as a financial advisor, a job which I enjoyed doing very much. At the time, I had two small children at home, a wife who was working very hard for us as well, and I was traveling a lot. My family is the most important thing in my life, so, I gave up the job as a financial advisor and worked as a salesman for Pepsi for 25 years before taking another job at E.A. Sween Co. as a District Manager over 3 states in the Midwest with over a five million dollar budget and managed several employees. I thoroughly enjoyed and produced great results working for the company. However, as I was traveling all over the country and the company was wanting to expand my territory, an opportunity arose at Ellis County in September of 2017 for which I applied and was hired for. This short time with Ellis County has really opened this lifelong Conservative’s eyes to local politics and the good I could do to help the County that has been my family’s roots for generations.
I currently work for Ellis County as the Landfill Foreman as a supervisor of a division of Public Works and have been for three years now. In my short time at my current job, my team and I have taken a forward-thinking approach to our Landfill. We’ve implemented measures to make sure the Landfill is fully funded, planned for the future, put money in reserves to cover capital expenses, State Statute closure estimates, and future growth as my division is not covered by taxpayer dollars from the General Fund. The Landfill is fee based as an Enterprise Fund. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment during our yearly inspections have said that, “…this is one of the cleanest and most efficient landfills in the State.” I pride myself on order, planning, and management. We have greatly reduced the need for overtime, purchased land for the next 150 years of expansion, put plans and actions in place to speed up/increase accuracy and put safety measures in place for everyone who uses the Landfill. We have replaced the polycarbonate container that caught fire during the night from spontaneous combustion(which is defined as: the ignition of organic matter without apparent cause, typically through heat generated internally by rapid oxidation.) that burned the small shop south of the office that held the household hazardous waste that citizens bring out daily with a fireproof/explosion proof concrete vault. https://www.hdnews.net/…/landfill-building-total-loss-after…. I have presented my budget line for line to the Ellis County Commission every year since I started (2017) just like every department does and will continue to do. If you ever have any questions about these operations on any topic whatsoever, please give me a call or come see me and we can go over anything you want in as much detail, together.
Training:
I completely agree with what Treasurer Schlegel said back in her Questions and Answers interview with the Hays Daily News back in October of 2016 where “Part of what’s so great about our country is that school teachers, homemakers, anyone with life experience who wants to, can run for office. And the country knows these people need training. They anticipate we’re going to have sheriffs, we’re going to have doctors, we’re going to have homemakers, and we need to be able to educate all of them on how to be a good treasurer. And that statutory continuing education provides that. I think my opponent depends on most people not knowing that and thinking that no one else can do this but me. The fact of the matter is someone else can… https://www.hdnews.net/7e9fd535-377a-58d8-ae27-8515978cf984…” She is totally right. The training and continuing education that was able to lift her from no experience to experienced was done with our wonderful educational opportunities granted to her by the State and Federal levels. Local government is a great way for citizens to get in and get to work quick with no experience, but a drive to work hard and work for the citizens.
Another excellent point that she made back in April of 2017 in one of her letters to the editor titled “Why not go with the people’s choice?” at the Hays Daily News was the transition period before the duly elected Treasurer takes office. “Of the eight treasurers I have spoken to, all of them expressed, in their opinion, the most effective transition would result if I, the treasurer-elect, took office early, a common, statewide practice in situations like this. They all labeled this “a non-partisan issue,” since the election already has occurred. https://www.hdnews.net/f37555ba-db99-5078-accd-0b1003045422…” I am glad, whomever the people choose in November, that you would be willing to extend the same courtesy you sought coming in.
Why I am Running:
I am running for office to help ensure the Treasury Department makes sound investments with taxpayer money, help decrease spending, and bring back the trust and professionalism to a public office. I want to increase efficiency within the Treasury department, and I will work full-time ensuring accuracy and ease of transactions without increased cost to the taxpayers. The people want someone who will get the job done, do it right, save them money, and be 100% reliable. I know how the County Government system operates, know the current budgeting situation, and know it is going to take all elected officials and staff working together to keep Ellis County moving forward, both effectively and efficiently. I am also looking to wrangle in some spending that I believe is unnecessary for the taxpayer to cover. For example, the actual total spent in 2019 for the line items in the budget for Rental-Cars, Planes, Bus and Subsistence (Hotels, Food, etc.) was $10,592.00. I believe in trainings and networking with others, but not at a cost that extensive when Ellis County owns a car available to all employees to use for necessary travel and other items that can be toned down quite a bit, it is a bit excessive. Small changes like adjusting that spending and other areas, including working every single day (all day) with staff by their side, going to commission meetings, attending every department head meeting, and looking at ways to enhance the citizens experience in the Treasury. I have looked at adding Kiosks to the lobby to tackle two issues I see as a taxpayer: 1) Time- Our citizens are busy and need a flexible time outside of 8am-4pm during the week to get their tags/taxes done. 2) Workload- The kiosk will not replace any employees and should also help ease some of the long wait times and workload for staff allowing for speed and accuracy. Johnson and Sedgwick counties have had wait times reduced by 30%. This is just an example of one of the ideas I want to explore should I be elected in November. I also want to ensure a sense of job security to the staff. Since 2017, of the 9 positions in the Treasury, 9 people have turned over. Of course, the staff will say they are happy, they are scared to upset the power hungry and lose their job. As a team, we can work together to restore trust, professionalism, civil dialogue, and getting the job done while saving the taxpayers money, their time, and letting them focus on what matters most to them. I do not spend a dime without ensuring it is in the best interest of the people I serve. I am not doing this for the money or for anybody else. I am doing this because I believe that I can represent the citizens of Ellis County honestly, steadfastly, fiscally responsibly, professionally, and humbly to do the job that is required and help save for the future growth of our great County.
You have all shown me such kindness and guidance during my first ever run for public office. It just goes to show that the 120 signs (had to buy 20 more thanks to the wind!) and talking and listening to the people is all it took to make a difference.
Thank you all and God Bless you.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to send me a message on my Facebook page or email [email protected]. Remember to Vote Nov. 3rd!
Vern Ruder
Republican Candidate for Ellis County Treasurer