We sent a series of questions to the candidates running for local office in the upcoming primary, which is a mail-in only format this year, statewide. The questions and responses are printed below. We've done minimal editing of the responses, only correcting a few minor punctuation and grammatical errors, in order to present the gist of the candidate's thoughts as written.
Running for office in the primary are County Commissioner District 1 candidates Rod Schaffer, Incumbent, and Ted Amsden, Challenger. Both candidates are running as Republicans.
Candidates for District Clerk of Court are Vanna Byrd, Incumbent, and Tricia Robinson, Challenger. Both Clerk of Court candidates are also running as Republicans.
Please provide a brief description of your personal history, including dates and positions of any public service.
I was born and raised in Powder River County.
I grew up finding out what hard work was. I started out rough necking on the oil rigs working 12 hour shifts and sometimes 24 hour shifts. Then, in between oil rig jobs, I would fix truck tires and do some mechanicing at the truck stop. I worked on a water well drilling rig and did coal core drilling - leave at 5am, get home at 8pm. As far as public service I was on the school board for 2 terms so I understand a little about parliamentary procedure. I found out how to run a profitable business when doing the books at the Carquest store for 8 years and have been doing my own books for Pumps Etc for 15 years, so I do understand budgets and expenses and how to run a profitable business.
What assets will you bring to this position?
We need somebody that understands how to run a business and try to stay within a budget. We can't afford an assisted living building or to maintain a hospital that they want to build!
I am on every road in this county and see which ones need attention.
If elected I know a really good blade operator that will give a training session to the blade crew on how to properly blade a road, do it right the first time, and not cover a lot of miles fast wrong only to have to come back and do them again!
What are three primary goals or concerns you would like to address if elected?
Fix the county roads!
Control spending, understanding that there are limits to the amount of money we can spend!
Talk to the people in the county and find out what they would like to see changed.
What are your thoughts on full-time vs. part-time pay for the commissioners?
Depends on what they're doing with their time out of the courthouse. If they are just talking in a coffee shop or hauling cows and horses or are actually out in the country talking to the people in this county about what they would like see change and what improvements that need done.
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