Moderator: Welcome to our chat today with Marguerite Ermeling, independent candidate for the 3rd District seat on the Douglas County Commission. We have a lot of questions that have already been submitted, so we’ll get started.

Marguerite Ermeling: Hello everyone… it’s nice to be here today to talk about county issues.

John, Lawrence, Ks: As a County Commissioner, will you work to complete the current plans for the SLT or would you propose a different scenario?

Marguerite Ermeling: The SLT is out of the county’s hands at this point and possibly in court for a few years. We need to move beyond the SLT at this point and start being proactive with comprehensive countywide and regional planning to address our traffic needs and problems.

Carrie, Lawrence: The route for the eastern leg of the SLT has been designated for an alignment north of the Wakarusa River. Are you in favor of this alignment? If not, where do you believe it should be built? Or, do you believe the eastern leg of the SLT should be completed?

Marguerite Ermeling: Again, the SLT is a state decision that I would have no control over as a county commissioner. Regionally, moving traffic east/west and north/south should include connections between K-10 and I-70. The routes should be determined within the context of a comprehensive coordinated regional traffic plan. For instance, Johnson County has already mapped its arterial roads to the Douglas County/Johnson County border. It would be prudent for us to evaluate our road system in conjunction with where their major road system comes west.

Carolyn, Lawrence: What are your ideas to protect the rural nature of the county and how do your positions differ from your opponent?

Marguerite Ermeling: I am supportive of the proposed rural planning documents coming forth from the Planning Commission. Intelligent planning that will offer continuity and security to the rural community. I support preservation of the rural character, On the other hand, my opponent has frequently voted in favor of development (both residential and industrial) that planning staff and the planning commission, Horizon 2020 and the public have been opposed to. He has ignored preservation of our rural space.

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Mike, Lawrence: What do you consider the most important issue before the commission at this time? What would you like to accomplish, if elected?

Moderator: We had a call asking if our chat is still going on. Everything is fine. Our guest is just taking a few minutes to respond.

Marguerite Ermeling: I think there are two issues; not one. Transportation is inextricably connected to our economic growth. Economic growth contains our individual tax burden. I would work to bring these issues to center stage.

Marguerite Ermeling: By “containing” our tax burden, I mean helps to offset it.

Paul, Lecompton: Your opponent advocates purchasing a sack of groceries each year to compute the consumer price index. What decision-making skills would you bring to the county commission?

Marguerite Ermeling: My veterinary background of scientific methods and analysis, as well as growing my practice from a solo practitioner to a three-doctor practice and managing that, have taught me complex problem solving and solid administrative and managerial skills. I would rely on more qualified governmental indicators for consumer costs, rather than a bag of groceries.

Richard, Lawrence: I thank you in advance for your response. Do you think it will be possible to legally grow marijuana for hemp in Douglas County in the near future?

Marguerite Ermeling: I’m not sure this would be an issue to be decided at the county level.

Moderator: This will be our last question.

Maggie, Lawrence: What is the single, biggest difference between you and Jere McElhaney?

Marguerite Ermeling: I don’t have any ties to the development community. I am free to represent the interests of everyone in the third district equally. While developers provide a vital function to our community, our growth must be directed by intelligent community planning that is in the Entire public interest.

Moderator: We want to thank our guest for taking time out of her schedule to come down to the News Center to take part in this chat. And we’d like to thank our readers for their questions.

Marguerite Ermeling: Thank you all for participating today. Remember to VOTE on Tuesday. You can also visit my website at: www.ermeling.org

if you have any other questions.

E is for Everyone; E is for Ermeling

Marguerite Ermeling: I understand we received some questions about my ag building. I’d like to take this opportunity to quickly put that issue to rest.

All questions regarding use of our ag building have been answered by Keith Dabney, Douglas County Building and Zoning Inspector and is public record. I find it offensive that Jere McElhaney’s supporter, Mike Capra (posting under the name of “Vitos Plumbing” on Reader Reacton), continually engages in such smear tactics without foundation. Each of his complaints were answered at considerable cost to the taxpayers. If he wishes to waste additional taxpayer dollars, I direct him back to the building and zoning office.