Elmer seeking re-election

Democrat Bill Elmer, 67, of Hoyt is seeking re-election to the third district seat on the Jackson County Commission in the general election. 

Elmer is running against John Coleman and Melvin Bailey. The third district is in the southern part of the county and includes Adrian, Douglas, Lincoln and Washington townships.

Elmer was first elected to the position in November 2012.

Elmer worked as a road foreman for Jackson County for five years. Before that, he worked for Hamm Quarries for 12 years, Georgia Pacific for 17 years and the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971. 

Elmer graduated from Linwood High School in 1967 and attended tech school in Kansas City, Mo. 

He and his wife, Robbie, have lived in Jackson County for 36 years and have four children. 

Why are you seeking election?

“I feel I have had a positive impact in my position as county commissioner,” Elmer said. “I have always had the best interest of Jackson County in my decisions and actions. I would like every person in the third district to know their voice is being heard. I will continue to keep my focus on the people of Jackson County and work to keep improving our county.”

Do you think the county’s current tax rate is justified and adequate to operate the county’s departments?

“The current tax is not adequate to continue serving the county at its current level,” he said. “The cost of rock continues to rise and the loss of county quarries have made it necessary to haul rock into the county. This added expense has limited the rock available for roads. More legal cases filed in the county has also necessitated more attorneys (in the county attorney’s office) to handle those cases. 

“And to add to the problem, the state has passed many unfunded mandates that have negatively impacted our budgets. None of us like taxes, but this increase is necessary to maintain our level of services to the members of our communities. 

“The mill levy approved will allow more rock for our roads, more employees to keep us safe and to prosecute those who put us in danger and many other services currently with strained budgets.”

What concerns do you have regarding the county budget? 

“My first concern with the current budget is the condition of the state’s budget,” he said. “If they continue to pass legislation to balance their budgets by taking money away from counties, we will be forced to find alternative ways to fund our county.”

What would you do if elected?

“I believe the biggest area in need of improvement is our roads,” he said. “Our bridge department ranks as one of the best out of 105 counties in the state. Since we’ve lost our quarry in the county, we’ve been forced to locate and haul rock from outside the county. One of my goals is to locate rock within our boundaries to eliminate that expense. 

“We have recently made some changes to that department in hopes of improving our roads. My main focus, if re-elected, will be our roads and identifying ways to better maintain them. I would like to continue serving the people in the third district to see these improvements implemented.”

Why do you believe you are qualified for this position?

“Serving as your county commissioners the past four years has been a learning experience. There is so much to know about all aspects of operating an entity such as an entire county,” Elmer said. “It’s so much different than running a company, which I have done.

“I have worked with other counties in our state to better understand their issues and how their polices may be beneficial to our county. I have attended many meetings and training seminars across the state to keep our county successfully operating under current laws, as well as new laws being implemented by our state government.

“This is not a part-time job. It requires your full attention and availability. Having other responsibilities would definitely limit your effectiveness in this position. 

“My wife of 35 years and I have lived in Jackson County for our entire marriage. My children and a grandchild attended and graduated from Royal Valley school district. All my tax dollars have been and will continue to be paid in Jackson County. 

“Jackson County is my number one priority. I worked for five years as a county road foreman in Jackson County. This experience has proved invaluable when making decisions regarding the needs of our road and bridge department.  This experience has been called upon many times as I’m the only commissioner with this experience.

“Having been self employed, buying and selling farm equipment for two years, has also been an asset in many aspects of buying equipment or repairing that same equipment. 

“With this understanding of mechanics, I have been able to positively influence decisions we make regarding our equipment. 

“I also worked for 12 years for Hamm Quarries. In this position, I gained experience in all aspects of road construction, working with quarries, laying asphalt and trash service. This experience also has been used to better work with the local quarries on rock purchases.

“Working at Georgia Pacific for 17 years, I gained experience in many areas of warehousing and transportation. I started as a truck driver and worked my way up to warehouse supervisor. I was instrumental in the building of a new warehouse in Topeka and was responsible for all aspects of a start-up business.

“Some of those responsibilities included overseeing the actual building of the 45,000 square-foot building, stocking that building with millions of dollars of building materials, buying equipment to operate that facility, negotiating multi-million dollar contracts and hiring staff.

“It takes time to identify and implement positive change. With the experience I have gained over the last four years, I feel I can continue to lead this county into the future.”

Elmer is a member of American Legion Post 423, the Northeast Kansas Area of Aging and the Mayetta chapter of the Knights of Columbus.