At-large

John Fletcher, Marshall

I meet the legal qualification for the position. I have a background in business management, and a long history in the county, lived here all my life. I care about what happens in the county past and future.

I want to see the 9-1-1 system be as good as it can be. I'm offering myself to continue the job we started a year ago. (Presiding Commissioner) Becky Plattner asked me to take (the position) in the beginning and I said I would and that I would see it through. I want to keep commitment to her.

It's a four-year term, so the top priority is finishing the job. The quickest priorities are that the new director starts her job the day before the election so getting her up to speed is the first thing that happens. The next priority is figuring out where the center will be located and getting started on that project.

Gene Griffith, Slater

I think my overall general interest since 1992, when former Andre Peterson mayor and I investigated it (qualifies me). It's been on my mind quite awhile. I was on the committee to get it on the ballot, too.

I served on the original committee to get 9-1-1 on the ballot and fortunately the citizens of Saline County voted for it. I have continued to attend meetings to represent Slater. I feel it's important that all the cities and towns in Saline County are represented.

One of the biggest issues is done -- getting a director hired. We need to get the addressing finished up and do the site selection and get the building up.

Southern district

Corbin Allred, Marshall

I've served on the ambulance board since 1997, and I've been in the emergency services field since 1992.

I was one of the originals when we started it. Joe (Blodgett) and I started looking into it in 1998-1999. County commissioners back then said we didn't need it, but Joe started pushing it again a few years ago, because we saw a lack of quality dispatching. (It was) going downhill fast, getting bad information on calls, couldn't find county addresses, response times going up -- it was like fighting a losing battle, so we pushed for 9-1-1. We basically did it to serve the citizens of the area. I live here and I'm concerned about my own family. I wasn't picked for the original board, so now I'm in the race.

Everything's a top priority, because we're getting something we've never had in the county. There's so much technology and it's changing every day. Now that we have funding for it from the citizens, we need to implement quality control - top of the line electronics and technology can drop seconds off a call. And seconds count!

Getting the building done, getting the equipment, organizing, getting a 4-minute call down to 30 seconds -- it's all important. This is not a "political issue" and should never be. The people of Saline County need help in the fastest time, when seconds count -- that's what this is all about.

Jesse Coslet, Marshall

I'm a lifelong resident of Marshall. I've been in the emergency services field for 28 or 29 years. I've worked with the Marshall Fire Department and Saline County Sheriff's Department and I'm in facility services with the Sheriff's Department. I am a certified deputy. I do all communications setups and maintenance for the department. I am responsible for outfitting the department's vehicles with emergency supplies and I work on any security issues with cameras and surveillance and computers. I also work with the City of Marshall on their communications and computer issues.

I would like to see the citizens get the kind of 9-1-1 center that Saline County should have and that the taxpayers are paying for. I want them to get their money's worth and make sure we have the proper communications around the county to be able to communicate efficiently.

First on the (priority) list is selection of the location of the communication center. Second, I would like to see a better communications setup than we've received to date. Third, we need to complete the mapping soon. And I don't think we can get things accomplished as fast as we need to unless we meet more often than once a month.

Jack Lenz Jr., Marshall

One of the main things that I bring is my financial experience because it's important with the tax dollars the commission has to spend to have financial expertise on the board. I worked for Wood & Huston Bank full or part time for 20 years.

This is a chance to perform a civic duty and to give back to the community, because the community has done so much for us.

Determining the location of the dispatch center is first (priority). Second, the wise use of the taxpayers' money.

Carl Webb, Sweet Springs

I'm the administrator with the Sweet Springs ambulance district, and have experience with fire, ambulance and police departments.

For my part, I'm interested in seeing that Sweet Springs and other small communities have a voice in the committee. I want to see it get started up right, so it gives a high level of service.

Now that we have a director, finding land for a building site and getting the building built are top priorities. After that, hiring the right employees for the jobs is important.

Northern District

James Bird, Slater

Living in the Saline City area between Arrow Rock and Slater, I was made aware of the need for an Enhanced 9-1-1 Emergency answering system. Being on a committee involved in the 9-1-1 concept since the fall of 2005, we helped to move it through with countywide meetings, following up with the petition drive to get it on the ballot.

Working as a committee member for the 9-1-1 commission, I have served in different capacities involving the boundary lines of the different fire zones and the job description for the director position.

Being a firefighter with the Arrow Rock community Volunteer Fire Department and serving on the board of the Slater Rural Fire Protection Association further qualifies me for this position.

It is my desire to follow through with this endeavor and to assure the taxpayers they are getting what they voted for.

Cathie Jeffries, Slater

I served on the Slater Ambulance District Board of Directors for 12 years and am presently in charge of operations at the Slater Ambulance District. I have the opportunity to work with and listen to fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel from several different counties that currently have 9ll communications centers. This also gives me the opportunity to listen to all of the different issues they have had in setting up their centers and the problems that were incurred after it went into operation. I have also been serving on the Slater City Council for the past 12 years. I am familiar with preparing budgets and how to stretch the taxpayer's dollar.

With my experience in working in the emergency services field and having the pleasure to work with many different individuals, I have realized the importance of having a 9-1-1 communications center to take care of the needs of our citizens. In my 15 years of working in this field, I have realized the importance of

9-1-1 centers and how it would better serve Saline County citizens. I would like to take part in this change for Saline County.

I know that this project will not be completed overnight, but there is also a timetable of 36 months. I would like to make sure that each step is completed thoroughly and efficiently, making sure that no corners are cut to speed this project along. I would like to make sure that the taxpayers' dollars are spent wisely and effectively. Once the 9-1-1 center is operational, I would take measures to reduce the sales tax that is funding this project.

John Rieves, Marshall

I've spent more than 35 years in emergency services. I recognize the importance of accepting emergency phone calls on a universal number to a joint dispatch, and having the equipment and trained personnel there out to the services that need them in a quick and accurate fashion.

I have been in communities that started 9-1-1 and helped to set them up. I've had the luxury of being current on the latest trends the latest equipment, the current legislation that affects 9-1-1 centers and the services provided by them. I've had great input in working on the road and addressing and naming system. We're long overdue in Saline County for this system.

The line of work I'm in, and the time I devote to keep current, makes me more than qualified through the next term to help this move along because we have a lot of issues ahead of us that take a great amount of thought, input and understanding. I possess those abilities.

I'm running because I have a burning desire to see Saline County's 9-1-1 put together and operated at the best efficiency for everyone in the county. Being in the fire service -- everything it does affects us responders and we have a lot to gain out of a modern, up-to-date facility with well-trained people. I owe it to the people of Marshall to be in the committee.

We have a number of issues of high importance that have to be decided on and one of them is the addressing/numbering/naming scheme.

Next is radio communications and how they'll be tied together, what equipment will best meet our needs. We must be in compliance with FCC mandates that have to be completed by 2012, when we will all be on digital and P25-capable. We all have to upgrade our communications.

The site must be chosen, and the facility constructed. We have to make sure it's constructed well and that it's going to serve the community for many, many years, and assist the new director in hiring/training new dispatchers to serve Saline County.

I've served as fire chief for the city of Marshall for 25 years and I've done that faithfully. We've tried to provide the best service for the most economical price. I want to do the best for their money.

Cindy Schroeder, Marshall

The main thing I have going for me versus new candidates coming in is that I was appointed to the board from the beginning, so I've been through the process from day one, instead of stepping in mid-stream. I think that gives me an edge over a new candidate. I was manager of a government office for 25 years, and that is a plus for me too, because there are things we need to discuss financially and with employees. And issues with insurance we need to do as far as running 9-1-1 in general. My employment background helps me have a better understanding of it. I worked for USDA Rural Development for 25 years and I took a recently offered early out. Right now, I am working with our family farm operation.

Because 9-1-1 itself and 9-1-1 enhancements will be a great, great benefit to the people of Saline County and I want it to be the very best it can be. This is being paid for by taxpayer dollars, to be the best it can be for the people. It's a great benefit to have all the enhancements that this will provide for the safety and well being of the individuals. Pure and simple, that's why I'm running, not because it's a paid position. You have to have some reason to spend your volunteer time and efforts in making it better, to benefit everybody. That's why I'm excited about running.

The very first thing after the board is selected in this election is the location of the 9-1-1 center. After that, getting a building underway, because that will be the hub of all this.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net