District 3 Republican Douglas County Commission candidate Jim Flory will take questions from readers.

Moderator

Welcome to our chat today with Douglas County Commission candidate Jim Flory, a Third District Republican from rural Lawrence. I’m reporter George Diepenbrock, and I will be the moderator. Feel free to send more questions. Jim, welcome back to the News Center.

Jim Flory

Thanks for the opportunity to chat again, I look forward to hearing from some of the voters of the Third District this morning.

Moderator

We have a budget question first.

458casul

would you cut the 4h funds

Jim Flory

Having been a 4-H member many years ago, I appreciate the value of the program for our young people. The funding for the fairgrounds is an important aspect of the 4-H activities, and I would continue that funding to the level possible under future revenue. As with all programs and agencies the county funds, I would spend time evaluating the past expenditures BEFORE the budget process starts so that I could have a good working knowledge of the program or agency before we enter the time-contrained budget process.

Moderator

Along those lines, how else would you approach the budget process if the revenue picture does not improve the next few years?

Jim Flory

My goal would be to spend time with each of the county departments and agencies that receive county funding during the first few months of 2009 so that I would have a good concept of the services being provided. I generally do not favor an “across the board” cuts, because that implies that all services are of equal value and are equally essential. Hopefully, we will not need to make further cuts during the budget process next year, but if that is necessary, I want to have a thorough knowledge of the services being provided before I am required to make those difficult decisions in the budget setting process.

LindseySlater

What do you think will be the biggest issue that could influence voters? What is the biggest issue you would like to address and how do you plan on working on it if you are elected to the commission?

Jim Flory

During my door to door campaign I have asked the voters in the Third District what they view as the most important issue, and many have stated that completion of the South Lawrence Trafficway is high on their list. I fully support the 32nd Street alignment. Not only is it the most cost-efficient and convenient alignment, the proposed mitigation plan meets most of the concerns of the community. It actually increases the wetlands to about 200 acres, provides for a tall grass prairie area, a wetland cultural center, biking trails and hiking trails. The 32nd Street alignment also avoids crossing Haskell property (unlike the original 31st street plan) and would likely provide a greater buffer between traffic and Haskell than now exists on 31st Street. It is essential that our County Commission be supportive of this project and work with our legislative delegation to secure state and federal funding to complete the project. Absent local agreement and a unified effort, I am concerned that the state will find other projects to fund with the limited highway funds that will be available. Finally, I believe that completion of this project is an essential step to further the general economic development of Douglas County and to make the clean up and development of the Farmland site an attractive possibility to the private sector.

mbelt

There was some talk during the past year by county commissioners about the need for a new public works facility and putting all of the department’s offices and equipment in one location, possibly near the county jail. Do you think that’s a good idea and doable anytime soon because of budget issues?

Jim Flory

That is an issue that is worthy of discussion, but I seriously doubt that we will be in a position to expend tax dollars for a new facility in the near future. Maintaining and improving our county facilities is important, and we should always engage in long term planning. I would not, however, favor taking action on the plan until it could be accomplished without an increase in the tax levy.

Moderator

With the city sales tax questions pending in November for public transit funding, do you see the county having any role in any kind of public transportation?

Jim Flory

If the sales tax questions are rejected by the voters, I believe that the local units of government will need to consider ways to meet the transportation needs of select segments of our population that have clear and essential needs. If we can focus on those who have such clear and pressing transportation needs, e.g. the aging population and persons with disabilities, perhaps we can assist local agencies to meet those needs. Since the county commission assists with funding a number of agencies that provide services to the target populations, I believe it would be appropriate for the county to carefully consider what assistance we could provide to the impacted agencies.

Moderator

Thanks for being here today, Jim. I’ll give you one last opportunity to tell our readers why you have decided to run for the county commission and why you believe you would be best to represent the Third District.

Jim Flory

Thanks again for the opportunity. I’m running for the commission because I would like to continue making a contribution to the community that I have called home my entire life. I think that I not only have a vision for the future of Douglas County, but I also have a valuable perspective of our past. I know Douglas County and the people of Douglas County, and I believe that I offer the voters an established record of effective public service and responsiveness.