Zeugin advocates for those unable to navigate government systems

Race: Callaway County Public Administrator
Candidate:Kitty (Ms. Kitty) Zeugin
Background: I am single with one child, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. I have lived most of my life in Callaway County. As a youngster, I chose the "road of hard knocks." I started adult life at the bottom finding myself single with a baby and no way to support us. I had to take low-paying jobs and live in government housing. Long story short, with determination, education and lots of hard work, I climbed out of government assistance. Along the way, I learned all about many government benefits and have helped others through the maze of obtaining help they are entitled to.
I advocate for those who are not able to navigate the system. I actually love helping others.
What makes you the best candidate?
Probably because I have been in the spot that so many people that are in, that they need help I can navigate government systems. I used to live in government housing. I know what it's like to not have anything at all, how to find it and work hard to work my way up. I can relate to these people that I'd be working for.
Why did you decide to run?
I've always wanted to run but I had to wait until I wasn't working for the state of Missouri. They won't allow it. So I'm retired now and it's something I've always wanted to do so I thought now would be the best time.
What is your campaign message?
Probably that I'm equal and fair. I do advocate for mentally-ill people. Anyone with a disability, if they need help, I'm right there.
How would you assess the current operation of the Callaway County Public Administrator Office?
I think that office needs to come out of her (Karen Digh Allen's) private law office. I think those are two things that need to be separated. Other than that, Karen has always been really good. She has called me to take cases so I don't have anything personal against Karen at all. I would just think it's a conflict of interest for her to be an attorney and a guardian in the same case.
What changes would you implement?
No. 1, move the office out of her law office. That could be kind of hard. Other than that, until I get in there and see what is going on, I can't say. I may do things exactly how she's been doing it. I don't know until I get in there and study the cases and see what's needed.
What do you think people don't understand about the office, but should?
No. 1, people have no idea what it is at all. I run into that all of the time. And they need to understand that there are a lot of people out here that need help, especially with attaining all of these government benefits that's out here. But the red tape is so thick that when they do get started, they quit. You have to keep persevering and keep on with a huge stack of forms. I've done all this and I know, I'm working with child support enforcement on a case. I'm trying to get them some answers for a person that I'm helping.
They are just mind blown. When I called them and talked to them, I had to put everything in writing and send it to them.
When they responded, they signed it and put a toll-free number to call.
But you never get to talk to that person, it's just the way the government is set up. Now I have to deal with another person. A normal person would have given up by now, but not me.