Local office-seekers talk goals, qualifications

Peg Dzicek, at microphone, moderates a candidate forum Tuesday at Fulton City Hall, sponsored by the Democratic and Republican Committeewomen of Calwood. Sitting with Dzicek is Republican Committeewoman Lori Twillman.
Peg Dzicek, at microphone, moderates a candidate forum Tuesday at Fulton City Hall, sponsored by the Democratic and Republican Committeewomen of Calwood. Sitting with Dzicek is Republican Committeewoman Lori Twillman.

A standing-room only crowd gathered Tuesday evening in council chambers at Fulton City Hall to hear what local candidates had to say for themselves and the reasons they seek office.

Of the eight invited participants, five attended. Outgoing Callaway County Western District Commissioner Doc Kritzer stood in for Randall Kleindienst, who is seeking re-election as Eastern District commissioner. Kritzer said he and Kleindienst had prepared answers based on general questions ahead of time because Kleindienst had a long-standing, out-of-state commitment.

Jay D. Houghton, candidate for Missouri District 43 representative, also told forum organizers he was unavailable for the date. Candidate for Callaway County sheriff M.J. Eberhart did not respond to the invitation, according to moderator Peg Dzicek.

The forum was sponsored by the Democratic and Republican Committeewomen of Calwood, represented Tuesday evening by Lori Twillman, Republican committeewoman, and Kathy Richey Liddle, Democratic committeewoman.

Questions for candidates were submitted by the public and presented at random to the candidates, who included Larry Doyle Jr., vying for Callaway County Eastern District commissioner; Roger Fischer and Steve Moore, candidates for Callaway County Western District commissioner; Clay Chism, candidate for Callaway County sheriff and a lieutenant with the sheriff's office; and Ed Lockwood, of Auxvasse, candidate for Missouri District 43 representative.

All the candidates introduced themselves as people with deep Callaway County roots. Doyle worked at William Woods University, his alma mater, for 14 years as a plumber and maintenance man and said he's halfway to his master's degree.

"I am not a politician," he said. "I am one of you. I am just a working man with three kids and a fiance."

Kleindienst also is a Callaway County native ,who served with the county's roads and bridge department for 24 years and as a commissioner for four years. In his biography read by Kritzer, Kleindienst said, "Experience matters."

Moore said he's run for Western District commissioner before and noted he's been on the Fulton City Council for decades. He's been deputy mayor two times and also serves on the city's Human Rights Commission.

"I would appreciate your support," he said.

Fischer introduced his wife of 34 years and noted the county is the second largest in the state with 840 square miles and 833 miles of roads - 740 gravel and about 100 paved.

"It's quite a challenge for three people (county commissioners) to take care of a county like this," he said.

Chism said he's served at the sheriff's office 16 years in all areas of the operation, including in the 109-bed jail.

"I'm experience in all facets of the sheriff's office," he said. "I've literally done every job at the sheriff's office, and I'm proud of that."

Lockwood recited areas of state policy and laws he's studied at depth. One of his goals is to make sure people who want to live in Callaway County can do so.

"We have young people out there who want to start families and buy homes, and they need jobs," he said, noting tax credits need to be evaluated, perhaps adding one to help senior citizens stay in their homes.

Questions ranged from candidates' views of their prospective job descriptions and goals to environmental problems, property rights and growth of transportation and business opportunities. Chism noted he wants to attract quality, committed law enforcement personnel while working within budget constraints. On his wish list is a trained police dog, he said.

"We need a K9 unit to add to drug enforcement," he said, adding this dog would be available throughout the county and to local schools.

City officials recorded a video of the forum, which Dzicek said would be available for viewing soon.

Look for in-depth candidate profiles in the Oct. 30 Fulton Sun.