Marion mayoral candidates share opinions
Two candidates are vying for mayor of Marion — Troy Leith and Martin Tice.
Each had an opportunity to answer questions and provide information about themselves through a questionnaire provided by the Marion County Record.
Troy Leith:
Question 1: Why are you seeking the office of mayor?
Leith: "I believe that Marion needs to find a direction and start going toward it. I believe that I could represent the needs and desires of the average Marion citizen who is trying to make a living and still live in a town that they love. I believe I can bring some energy and some fresh ideas to try and help us set some goals and start moving toward them."
Question 2: If you are elected, what are your priorities and goals?
Leith: "To try and see Marion stabilize and grow its economy."
Leith is married to Wendy and have three children, Leroy, 13; Bryan, 10; and Morgan, 4.
Leith is a graduate of Pratt Community College with a degree in business management. He is a local business owner of Leith, Inc., and has been a Marion resident since 1991.
Martin Tice:
Question 1: Why are you seeking the office of mayor?
Tice: "I have been part of the community for over 30 years and consider it to be home. I want to see the community remain viable and grow. For this to happen we must all be willing to work together. I believe I have the skills and experience which can help Marion grow and meet the challenges that all communities are facing now and will continue to face in the near future."
Question 2: If you are elected, what are your priorities or goals?
Tice: "I see three areas that I feel are priorities for the future of Marion: Economic Development — Continued efforts need to be made to bring business to Marion. While looking to bring new businesses to the community the city must not lose sight of those businesses already established and must continue to work to help those that are presently located in the community.
Infrastructure — The city must continue to work to maintain and update our infrastructure so that we can support the businesses we now have and those that will look at Marion in the future. The upgrading of the electrical and water facilities means we are moving forward in this area and this must continue. The city currently is faced with additional upgrading of the water facilities and we must continue to look to our streets and the general appearance of the city.
Community Involvement — Without working together the community will not grow. There is a need for the community to come together and determine a workable plan that will guide the community and provide direction. This will require the work of many diverse groups coming together to develop such a plan and to promote it to the total community. There must be an open discussion of issues that face the Marion community so that all individuals feel a part of the decision process. Without the various groups in the community working together, Marion will not move forward."
Tice was born in 1943 in Iola. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1966 with a BSE (bachelor of science education) degree in math and science. He received a masters and a specialist degree in educational administration from Wichita State University.
Tice taught math and science at Allison Junior High School in Wichita from 1966 to 1970. He was principal at Florence High School from 1970 to 1971, principal at Florence Junior High School from 1971 to 1973, and principal at Marion High School from 1973 to 1979.
Tice owned his own business in Marion from 1979 to 1989. He specialized in accounting, tax consulting, and real estate.
From 1989 to the present Tice is the business manager and board of education clerk for USD 408 Marion-Florence. He is a member of the board of directors of Marion County Hospital District No. 1.
Tice has been past Marion Chamber of Commerce president in 1985, and served as mayor of Marion from 1986 to 1989.
A member of Marion Christian Church, Tice serves as an elder, trustee, Sunday school teacher, and currently is the chairman of the church board.
His wife, Margaret, is a nurse and works at Memorial Hospital at McPherson. They have three children who were raised in the Marion community and graduated from Marion High School. They have seven grandchildren.
Tice adds, "I look forward to the opportunity to work with all the individuals and groups in the community and encourage everyone to participate in the election process and vote."
