July 17, 2008

This chat has already taken place. Read the transcript below.

Moderator:

Good morning. This is reporter Mike Belt, and I will be your moderator. We are chatting with David Brown, a Republican running for the 2nd District County Commission seat. David, thanks for being here.

David Brown:

Thanks for allowing me to be here.

Moderator:

Here is our first question.

ChristineMetz:

Why do you want to be a commissioner? And, how do you think your years at the Douglas County Sheriff's Department have prepared you for the job?

David Brown:

I decided to run for County Commisioner even before my retirement from the Sheriff's Office. I have devoted my entire adult life to serving the people of Douglas County. I want to contiue to serve the residents of Douglas County and I have a great deal of passion for Douglas County. The second part of the question; Through the years with the Sheriff's Office I have dealt with people from all areas of Douglas County. I have gotten a first hand look at how the County goverment is run. The ablity to make a good decsion and my strong leadership were traits developed from the Sheriff's Office.

jfray:

What do you think of the county's decision this week to raise the mill levy next year?

David Brown:

I think the current commisioners did their best not to have to raise the mill levy. I guess I wasn't suprised they had to raise the mill levy even after making cuts from the 2008 budget. I never like to see taxes go up, but I don't want to see the services of Douglas County suffer either.

Hepburn:

Will you continue funding for the Division Pro Tem, which handles child support, juvenile offenders and first appearances for the Douglas County District Court?

David Brown:

Yes, I would support keeping the postion. The judges are carring heavy case loads now. The Pro Tem would provide some relief to the case loads. With this postion I hope cases would be heard more quickly. I will be intersted in hearing from the courts on how they think this postion will be funded in the future. I would hope there would be state money for part or all of the postion.

clawhorn:

Would you support the county assuming maintenance of township roads?

David Brown:

No, with the tight budget the county has now trying to take this on would be costly. I've been asked this question several times. For now I would like to see the township remain carring for their own roads.

Moderator:

That's all the time we have for questions. David, is here a way for voters to contact you and send questions? And thanks for being here.

David Brown:

Thanks again , the service you provide helps to educate the voters on each canidate is helpful. I currently don't have a website set up. I feel its important to be available to the public, so feel free to contact me at my e-mail address dtmjbrown@aol.com.

Moderator:

We have two more chats later today with a county commission and county attorney candidates in Leavenworth County, so be sure to check back in.