The Parsons Chamber of Commerce is planning a public forum on Tuesday, Oct. 14, for candidates running for Parsons City Commission, Parsons USD 503 and Labette County USD 506 school boards, along with community college candidates. The general election is Nov. 4 and the deadline to register to vote is Oct. 14.
The forum will be at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the city commission room of the Parsons Municipal Building. The chamber has reached out to candidates and is waiting to hear back on those attending.
C hallenged seats are: Parsons City Commission (three seats): Incumbents Verlyn Bolinger, Leland Crooks and Eric Strait and challenger Ryan Robertson.
USD 503 Board of Education (three seats): Incumbents Julie Legler and Jeffrey Quirin and challengers Dennis Dodd and Mike Hentzen.
USD 506 Board of Education (three seats, three districts, only two districts have challengers): District 2, Position 5, candidates Jyssica Lahey and Julie Sale; District 3, Position 6, incumbent Rich Falkenstien and challenger Kris Graves. Jessica Rush is the only candidate running for the District 1, Position 4, seat.
Only two candidates filed for re-election for the Labette Community College Board of Trustees: Rebecca Dan-
See FORUM, Page 8.
tic and Rod Landrum. Trustee Carl Hoskins decided against running.
The public can submit questions for the candidates by 2 p.m. Oct. 10 by emailing them to chamber@parsonschamber. org or by calling (620) 4216500.
Jim Zaleski, the city of Parsons economic development director, will moderate the forum.
FOLLOWING is a full list of the names appearing on the Nov. 4 general election ballot in Labette County. There is also a question that involves the extension of a half cent sales tax collected in Parsons. That will be addressed in a future story.
The candidates on the ballot: Altamont City Council: Mayor, Richard Hayward Jr.; Council members, Kyle Wiford, Lyle Sykes, Zachary Sellers (running for a 2-year unexpired term).
Bartlett City Council: Mayor, Doug Ramey; Council members, Rodney Dodge, Rocky LaFalier, Joe Ramey.
Chetopa City Council: Betsy Koontz, Justin Nading, Ernest Wulf.
Edna City Council: Loren Eck, Richard Erickson, Kolby Lay, Cody Lear, Russ Russell, Michelle Traxson.
Labette City Council: Open seats for mayor and council positions (no filings).
Mound Valley City Council: Mayor, David Templeton; Council members, Lisa Junken, Hayden McGinnes, Dyllon Stafford, Joe Ybarra.
Oswego City Council: Kenny Gott, Brandy Scott, Chris Thomason.
USD 247 (Cherokee): District 1, Position 4, Dean Gravett, Ronald Yancey; District 2, Position 5, Ray Huff, Carmen Gray; District 3, Position 6, Darren Best, Erin Hutching; District 1, Position 1, Whitney Lovell (2 year unexpired term).
USD 447 (Cherryvale): At large, Robert John (Thayer).
USD 503: Dennis Dodd, Mike Hentzen, Julie Legler, Jeffrey Quirin.
USD 504: Kristin Redburn, Lewis Riley, Jennifer Schenker.
USD 505: District 1, Member 4, Jennifer Stewart (Chetopa); District 2, Member 5, Barbara Evans (Chetopa); District 3, Member 6, Shelby Spielbusch (St. Paul).
USD 506: District 1, Position 4, Jessica Rush (Parsons); District 2, Position 5, Jyssica Lahey, Julie Sale; District 3, Position 6, Rich Falkenstien, Kris Graves.
LCC Board: Rebecca Dantic, Rod Landrum.
Wildcat District 14: No one filed for the two positions.
VOTING LOCATIONS: The county now has nine polling locations, down from 15 previously.
Canada, Elm Grove, & Howard Townships: Edna Community Senior Center, 109 S. Labette, Edna Fairview, & Mount Pleasant Townships: First Baptist Church, 400 S. Wabash, Altamont Labette & Liberty Townships: Center Bethel Church, 1699 18000 Road, Parsons Mound Valley & Osage Townships: Mound Valley Community Center, 505 Hickory, Mound Valley Chetopa City, Hackberry & Richland Townships: Mae Lessley Community Center, 22 Maple, Chetopa Oswego City, Montana & Oswego Townships: Oswego Community Center, 203 North, Oswego Parsons 1st & 2nd Wards (All Precincts), Neosho & North Townships: First Baptist Church (gym) 1621 Main, Parsons Parsons 3rd Ward (All Precincts): First Christian Church, 1500 S. 29th, Parsons Parsons 4th Ward (All Precincts) & Walton Township: Wall Family Center, 2605 Main, Parsons
