Councilmen, mayor respond, give performance ratings
Staff reporter
With city department heads preparing evaluations for their employees, the Marion County Record asked Marion City Council members to rate their accomplishments and goals since being elected to their positions. Here are their responses.
Councilman Stacey Collett:
1) What your accomplishments and those of the council?
Collett: "I think the biggest thing the council has accomplished is the completion and financing of the water plant upgrade. I also volunteered to be on the Marion County Surface Water Board to try to find a way to protect our water supply for future generations.
"The spec building at Marion Industrial Park was another accomplishment. I know we don't have anyone in it yet but it did create some other interest in building at the park.
"The hiring of the new police chief also was another issue that I think has turned out very well.
"The street resealing was done with almost every street in town resealed."
2) What are the goals that haven't been met?
Collett: "I want to see a thriving new business in the spec building with some new employment. We also need to address Eisenhower Drive and North Cedar Street reconstruction. Main Street lighting is another issue."
3) What goals do you have in 2008?
Collett: "I would like to see the empty downtown buildings full with thriving new businesses, and see existing businesses also thriving.
"I also would like to see the construction of new homes exceed what they were this year.
"I also am excited about the new pool opening and the partnership with the school. I think we all will benefit from the new facility.
"I think the council needs to come up with a use for the city auditorium."
4) If you were to rate yourself and the council on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest, what would it be?
Collett: "I will let the people decide on that issue."
Councilman Bill Holdeman:
1) What are your accomplishments and those of the council?
Holdeman: "I'm concerned that we have not accomplished much in these past two years. Main Street is a very big concern for me. We have lost several of our businesses, leaving unoccupied buildings.
"However on a brighter side, more homes are in the process of being built at this time than any other time in the past five years.
"The industrial park is taking on a new look. The spec building is in place and two other businesses are in the process of building at this time.
"The streets have been resealed which was a big improvement for the town."
2) What are the goals that haven't been met?
Holdeman: "1. Industry: The concern to bring new industry into our community is an ongoing concern for me. 2. Housing: Some type of townhouses or condos need to be added to our community to help fill the gap of residential living. Something not related to income or age."
3) What goals do you have in 2008?
Holdeman: "As always, continuing to grow and develop Main Street and the industrial park. Look into maybe getting a condo developed in Marion. Possibility of another crossing for Mud Creek so all traffic doesn't have to be on Main Street, and the possibility of a new police department building, allowing the fire department much needed additional space."
4) If you were to rate yourself and the council on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest, what would it be?
Holdeman: "Probably a 3. We're working for growth in retail, industry, and population, BUT we can do much better. That's how I see it."
5) Other information.
Holdeman: "I would like to see better communication within the council. By that I mean when a councilman goes to the administrator to visit about a subject, a recording of their conversation should be made available to the council."
Councilman Jerry Kline:
1) What are your accomplishments and those of the council?
Kline: "The number one goal was to assist the economic development director with decisions to promote growth of the city with results — 22 new businesses, 15 new homes, 16 new commercial buildings, 30 new jobs, and an increase in sales tax of $12,000.
"Seal coated the streets instead of overlaying which saved the city lots of money. We got across more streets for the same money. We let the dike out on bid for hay, saving us money and we got paid for the hay."
2) What are the goals that haven't been met?
Kline: "I met all of my goals."
3) What goals do you have in 2008?
Kline: "Increase our sales and growth in business, new jobs, assist with Eisenhower Street which we need, keep our budget so it does not get out of control."
4) If you were to rate yourself and the council on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest, what would it be?
Kline: "4."
5) Other information.
Kline: "Our city employees do a very good job in all kinds of bad weather."
Mayor Mary Olson:
1) What are your accomplishments and those of the council?
Olson: "I had said since I am retired I had the time and energy to serve as mayor.
"The following is a list of several meetings I have attended: A. Nineteen of the 20 regular or special council meetings. B. Four of four work sessions called to discuss special topics. C. One WRAPS meeting and took a tour of the watershed district in the northern part of the county. The tour and meeting informed the group about the condition of the reservoir; very informative. D. A two-day mayor's conference in May at Topeka. E. Mayor and council member training at Junction City. F. An emergency crisis meeting at Wichita which was very informative. The stories of the tornadoes that hit about 10 years ago in Haysville and Greensburg were shared. G. A public forum that Dwight Gooding asked to be held.
"I am available at the city building for two hours on Mondays and Tuesdays for citizens to talk to me, and I have spent time getting acquainted with the day-to-day operations of the city. I have walked many miles to become acquainted with the streets, alleys, city yards, and other facilities.
"Some Marion businesses continue to struggle. Some have closed their doors for one reason or another but there seems to be more businesses currently opening than closing. We all hope this is a good sign but it doesn't lessen anyone's responsibility to market our city.
"The following are some of the ways I have been trying to find out what is being done at the county level to market Marion County and continue to improve the economy of Marion: A. Attended four Marion County Economic Development Council meetings to gain information and to give my input. These meetings gave me an opportunity to talk to mayors and other city staff connected with economic development. B. Attended a Flint Hills conference at Cottonwood Falls to see what other cities and counties were doing to market their entities. C. Encouraged council members to evaluate the current Marion economic development service after two years. D. Giving input in establishing a new Marion city economic development board. E. I have worked with the committee on beautification of the downtown district. Lights have been installed at Liberty Park and the council approved funds for a sidewalk. Next spring, I would like to arrange for some activities to be held at Liberty Park."
2) What are the goals that haven't been met?
Olson: "1. Discussing with staff members my concerns or someone of the community. Rating 2.
"I rate myself this low because my input is sometimes viewed as criticism or as a new job description of a staff member without the approval of the other four council members. My discussion of strategies to be tried with the person involved is to get his/her reaction to the suggestion, or maybe even an opportunity to try it to see its value or failure. Then if I think it shows merit I bring it up to be discussed at a regular council meeting.
"I am going to try to improve this rating by saying the Serenity Prayer more and making my intentions more clear with the person or people involved at the time and discussing concerns with the city administrator.
"2. Fostering cooperation between Marion and other governmental entities. Rating: 4.
"Support: A. Attended four mayors' meetings of which two were held in Marion. B. Attended a county commission meeting along with six other mayors. C. Attended school superintendent council meetings and toured the new pool project. D. Accepted invitations to talk about my duties as mayor in four school classes. E. Talked with the administrator of St. Luke Hospital to see how the city could show support of the facility. F. Attended county drainage board to discuss drainage problem in city. G. The county commissioners are beginning to inform the council about the jail project. The council is weighing the merits of the project as it will affect the economy of Marion.
"3. Involvement with Marion Chamber of Commerce. Rating: 3.
Support: A. Attended four monthly chamber meetings. B. Volunteered to help the chamber director (i.e. helped to host a group from Wichita). C. Volunteered to help at special city events. D. Attended some of the chamber committee meetings (i.e. tourism, retail).
"4. Working with city boards and committees. Rating: 4.
"Support: A. Met with cemetery board. B. Met with Roger Schwab, chairman of Marion Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. Attended planning commission meetings as they work to update the city's comprehensive plan. This is being done at the direction of the council. A public meeting was held to get input. Several residents of the city and the county showed an interested by their attendance and input.
4) If you were to rate yourself and the council on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest, what would it be?
Olson: "The following are the ratings I would give myself and the council. 1. Choice of a chief of police and his staff. Rating: 5. 2. Approval of funds to be used on street improvements and other city infrastructure. Rating: 4. (This was one of my goals.) 3. Careful consideration given to warrants before approving. Rating: 3. The city clerk has answered many of my questions as to warrants listed for approval. The city administrator also gives us direction as to available funds for projects. Rating: 4. 4. Showing the importance of keeping city residents informed by having work sessions that deal with special topics of concern. Rating: 1. Only four work sessions have been held. I would like to see more residents in attendance at these meetings and council members give more priority in attending these sessions. Even though no minutes or votes are recorded, this is another way to try to achieve transparency in city government. The city administrator can give his views to an entire council. The council can brainstorm, review policies, and tour facilities as a group. Special speakers could be invited to speak to the group."
3) What goals do you have for 2008?
Olson: "I have not fulfilled many of the goals I set for myself at the beginning of my term as mayor. Therefore, I will continue to work on them. A few of my new goals include: A. To improve any of the 1 ratings I gave myself. (Serenity Prayer) B. To continue to spend time at the city building on a regular basis. C. To meet with more city boards to become acquainted with the function of each and to appoint people to fill board vacancies that will continue to market Marion. D. To work for transparency in city government. E. To begin an investigation of a plan for sidewalk improvements.
5) Other information.
Olson: "I want to thank everyone who has been involved in the city by serving on a committee or board, worked to improve the appearance of the city, volunteered to help with special events, and supported a city fund-raiser. And a special thanks for the encouragement given to me during this first nine months I have served as mayor of Marion."
Councilman Gene Winkler:
1) What are your accomplishments and those of the council?
Winkler: "Maintained position of economic development director, all blacktop streets were resurfaced, including Country Club Drive, new construction of both commercial and residential buildings (16 commercial and 24 residential), an increase in sales tax, and helping local businessmen expand their businesses.
"All of these things were not done by myself. It takes everyone working together — but I would like to think I had a part in that."
2) What are the goals that haven't been met?
Winkler: "Getting Kingfisher's back up and running, new community center, location where kids of all ages can meet, re-do Eisenhower Drive with curb and gutter, and getting people to work together."
3) What goals do you have in 2008?
"Eisenhower Drive, try to get a new motel in Marion, try and fill empty stores on Main Street, help to promote Marion, fill the spec building, and start construction of a new community center."
4) If you were to rate yourself and the council on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest, what would it be?
Winkler: "3. There are a lot of things that I didn't I know when I took this position and a lot I have learned. Maybe after another two years I will feel more comfortable with everything. It would be great to be a '5' but that would only happen if 100 percent of the people came together."
5) Other information.
Winkler: "These positions on the city council are very important jobs and I hope the voters see this and vote this April for the two open positions, currently held by Jerry (Kline) and Bill (Holdeman). I believe that the majority of the people should not let the minority of the people be allowed to run the city government. Please, everyone needs to do their duty and vote.
"It is important that everyone be able to work together — council and mayor, city administrator, economic development director, and all staff.
"I believe if the people of Marion would give all of these people a chance and their support 100 percent, we could all work together to make Marion a very fine place to live. What has happened in the past cannot be overturned but what happens in the future is in the hands of the citizens of Marion. If everyone would spend as much effort promoting Marion it would make a terrific difference.
"Just try and think of what you can do to help and not hinder. Past is gone — the future is coming."
