Several candidates for three separate July 27 elections, from the city level to the state level, have let their stances on issues deemed “hot topics” by voters be known.
These are a few of those issues addressed by the candidates in attendance at a political forum held by the Pottawatomie County Advocates for Voter Education.
CITY COMMISSION:
For City Commission Ward 5 seat, incumbent John Winterringer shared his views, while opponent Will Walker did not respond to an invitation to participate. Steve C. Smith, candidate for the Ward 6 seat also addressed the same topics as Winterringer but his opponent Candie Swinney previously said she had a conflict in scheduling and couldn’t attend the forum.
ISSUE: Could the hotel tax revenues be moved to the general fund?
• Smith — My understanding is once the tax has been dedicated, the commission is powerless to move the money around as it pleases...Until that’s changed, we have to spend it where it’s assigned...If it’s the will of the people, I’d be happy to entertain changing it.
• Winterringer — It would be illegal to do that. It was voted on years ago...5 percent goes to the Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote Shawnee. They do an excellent job with that money...You cannot move the money to the general fund.
ISSUE: What do you see as the top priority?
• Smith — Continuity within the commission. The commission is very progressive and has gotten a lot of projects done and seem to work well together. We have to continue that cooperation to make sure the city continues to move forward.
• Winterringer — We took a huge step forward with the water rate increases to improve the water system and infrastructures...Water is a huge concern for a city that is growing like we are.
ISSUE: How long will it take for revenues to offset expenses on the city’s projects?
• Smith — It’s an ongoing process. Projects have certain costs and obligations and pay off in certain years. All projects have to be beneficial for anyone in the community. Costs are important because you are the people who have to pay for it.
• Winterringer — It’s all about quality of life issues. The projects we’re working on [Kickapoo Street, water line, sports park]...It’s a instant return on the investment. Like the water line, it gives the security of knowing the line’s not going to break.
OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 27:
All but one of the candidates for the Republican nomination participated in the forum. Those were Josh Cockroft, Don Rominger Jr. and Norman Seaberg.
Richard Bennett did not respond to the invitation to attend.
However, Chris Odneal, Democratic nominee, was at the forum, although not participating. Odneal doesn’t have a primary opponent but will be given an opportunity to speak at another forum prior to the general election in November.
ISSUE: What is the primary concern for the state?
• Seaberg — The overreach of our government...The more local the control, the better it is...We need to return the power to the people.
• Cockroft — You can name issues all day but it all boils down to responsibility...My primary concern is our state is headed in the wrong direction...We’re supposed to protect the people.
• Rominger — I’m an advocate for local control...We need to find a way to reduce the state and federal mandates placed on local control.
ISSUE: Do you support the open carry law?
• Seaberg — Yes...it is a right.
• Cockroft — Absolutely. It doesn’t matter if it’s a public place...I support open carry.
• Rominger — It’s part of our Constitutional rights.
ISSUE: How do we solve the unemployment crisis?
• Seaberg — Make Oklahoma a free enterprise zone...The value of creating jobs is unparalleled.
• Cockroft — The private sector is meant to thrive and survive...We need to allow the private sector to thrive through less regulation and less taxing.
• Rominger — It’s not a function of the state...It’s the market system and initiative of the people.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, DISTRICT 23:
No Republicans or Independents filed for the office of district attorney in District 23; therefore, either Bill Roberson or incumbent Richard Smothermon — both Democrats — will be elected to that office based on results of the Dec. 27 primary.
ISSUE: Regarding the good ole boy system, why should I trust you?
• Smothermon — I grew up in Chandler and there’s always been a good ole boy network in every Oklahoma town...but I just returned from Carney where I was forced to make the police chief, who is a very good friend of mine, surrender his position because he violated the law.
• Roberson — I don’t adhere to the good ole boy system...I don’t believe in allowing people to escape the system.
ISSUE: What do you say about criticisms of plea bargains?
• Smothermon — They are an absolute necessity. You can’t try every case.
• Roberson — You cannot run the district attorney’s office without it.
ISSUE: What do you bring to the table?
• Smothermon — I’ve built very strong relationships with law enforcement, which led to better enforcement and convictions...I’ve tried 13 jury trials in eight years of office with a 100 percent conviction rate...Other defendants enter pleas of guilty so they do not have to face you, which makes the system work.
• Roberson — I was a police officer...served as assistant district attorney...served as district attorney for 12 years...I believe in the death penalty...I want to have an open, direct dialogue with the Department of Human Services...And hopefully, not have any more children endangered...and collect probation fees.
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Several candidates for three separate July 27 elections, from the city level to the state level, have let their stances on issues deemed “hot topics” by voters be known.
These are a few of those issues addressed by the candidates in attendance at a political forum held by the Pottawatomie County Advocates for Voter Education.
CITY COMMISSION:
For City Commission Ward 5 seat, incumbent John Winterringer shared his views, while opponent Will Walker did not respond to an invitation to participate. Steve C. Smith, candidate for the Ward 6 seat also addressed the same topics as Winterringer but his opponent Candie Swinney previously said she had a conflict in scheduling and couldn’t attend the forum.
ISSUE: Could the hotel tax revenues be moved to the general fund?
• Smith — My understanding is once the tax has been dedicated, the commission is powerless to move the money around as it pleases...Until that’s changed, we have to spend it where it’s assigned...If it’s the will of the people, I’d be happy to entertain changing it.
• Winterringer — It would be illegal to do that. It was voted on years ago...5 percent goes to the Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote Shawnee. They do an excellent job with that money...You cannot move the money to the general fund.
ISSUE: What do you see as the top priority?
• Smith — Continuity within the commission. The commission is very progressive and has gotten a lot of projects done and seem to work well together. We have to continue that cooperation to make sure the city continues to move forward.
• Winterringer — We took a huge step forward with the water rate increases to improve the water system and infrastructures...Water is a huge concern for a city that is growing like we are.
ISSUE: How long will it take for revenues to offset expenses on the city’s projects?
• Smith — It’s an ongoing process. Projects have certain costs and obligations and pay off in certain years. All projects have to be beneficial for anyone in the community. Costs are important because you are the people who have to pay for it.
• Winterringer — It’s all about quality of life issues. The projects we’re working on [Kickapoo Street, water line, sports park]...It’s a instant return on the investment. Like the water line, it gives the security of knowing the line’s not going to break.
OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 27:
All but one of the candidates for the Republican nomination participated in the forum. Those were Josh Cockroft, Don Rominger Jr. and Norman Seaberg.
Richard Bennett did not respond to the invitation to attend.
However, Chris Odneal, Democratic nominee, was at the forum, although not participating. Odneal doesn’t have a primary opponent but will be given an opportunity to speak at another forum prior to the general election in November.
ISSUE: What is the primary concern for the state?
• Seaberg — The overreach of our government...The more local the control, the better it is...We need to return the power to the people.
• Cockroft — You can name issues all day but it all boils down to responsibility...My primary concern is our state is headed in the wrong direction...We’re supposed to protect the people.
• Rominger — I’m an advocate for local control...We need to find a way to reduce the state and federal mandates placed on local control.
ISSUE: Do you support the open carry law?
• Seaberg — Yes...it is a right.
• Cockroft — Absolutely. It doesn’t matter if it’s a public place...I support open carry.
• Rominger — It’s part of our Constitutional rights.
ISSUE: How do we solve the unemployment crisis?
• Seaberg — Make Oklahoma a free enterprise zone...The value of creating jobs is unparalleled.
• Cockroft — The private sector is meant to thrive and survive...We need to allow the private sector to thrive through less regulation and less taxing.
• Rominger — It’s not a function of the state...It’s the market system and initiative of the people.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY, DISTRICT 23:
No Republicans or Independents filed for the office of district attorney in District 23; therefore, either Bill Roberson or incumbent Richard Smothermon — both Democrats — will be elected to that office based on results of the Dec. 27 primary.
ISSUE: Regarding the good ole boy system, why should I trust you?
• Smothermon — I grew up in Chandler and there’s always been a good ole boy network in every Oklahoma town...but I just returned from Carney where I was forced to make the police chief, who is a very good friend of mine, surrender his position because he violated the law.
• Roberson — I don’t adhere to the good ole boy system...I don’t believe in allowing people to escape the system.
ISSUE: What do you say about criticisms of plea bargains?
• Smothermon — They are an absolute necessity. You can’t try every case.
• Roberson — You cannot run the district attorney’s office without it.
ISSUE: What do you bring to the table?
• Smothermon — I’ve built very strong relationships with law enforcement, which led to better enforcement and convictions...I’ve tried 13 jury trials in eight years of office with a 100 percent conviction rate...Other defendants enter pleas of guilty so they do not have to face you, which makes the system work.
• Roberson — I was a police officer...served as assistant district attorney...served as district attorney for 12 years...I believe in the death penalty...I want to have an open, direct dialogue with the Department of Human Services...And hopefully, not have any more children endangered...and collect probation fees.
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