Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
This Week: Hopefuls In Kimball And Banner Couties And For Kimball School Board
This is the second of two installments of the Observer’s Q&A with local candidates in contested races.
This week we present the candidated for Kimball Kimball County commissioner, Kimball School Board and Banner County commissioner. For each race featured in this report, candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Larry Engsrom
Kimball County
Commissioner Candidate
Briefly describe your background and professional and political experience.
I’m a farmer, rancher. Married we have two sons and a granddaughter. I am active in the First English Lutheran Church, a graduate of UNL and served in the U.S. Navy (Seabees). I have had the pleasure of serving as your commissioner for twelve years, four from 1994-1998 and eight years from 2014 to the present.
What distinguishes you from the other candidates?
Experience
What do you consider the most critical issues pertaining to the position you are seeking?
The budget, as long as we have property tax to fund all that government is required to do. We need to continue to encourage growth in our community which in turn will lessen our tax burden.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process for the county?
One of the ways to involve resident of the county is to encourage citizens to attend commissioner meetings. We have open meetings and our agenda is posted in advance. Also, if there is a concern give me a call and I will get an answer for you.
Rich Flores
Kimball County
Commissioner Candidate
Q.Briefly describe your background and professional and political experience.
A. I was born and raised in Kimball and have always been interested in business and involvement in local politics. I went into business in 1983 and recently retired in2020. I ran several successful business’s and have been community active since the early 90’s. I am a past member of the city council, Catholic council president and many boards and committees. I have served as a county commissioner since November of 2020. I currently serve on several boards and committees.
Q. What distinguishes you from the other candidates?
A. My business experience and serving on the boards, both civically and politically stand out as I have been through budgets both in personal business and government.Working with employees both in the oil business and retail. I served on the city council and currently am a commissioner. So, I am aware on how both bodies of government work.
Q. What do you consider the most critical issues pertaining to the position you are seeking?
A. We are heading into one of the most important times in our history in the last 50 years. Holding a budget and trying to accomplish the things that will be facing us is crucial. Working with businesses in coordination with the city to help in any way we can encourage business and industry is also important. Working with the Air Force on their missile project is challenge, but the benefit to the community and county is huge.
There will be a lot of things happening and we need to stay informed and educated to be able to make the right decisions, both short and long term.
Q. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our town?
A. Obviously we run an open-door policy to address questions and concerns.
Good ideas and solutions come from all walks of life, and I encourage anyone that has these concerns and solutions to please reach out. We hold public meetings twice a month that are open to the public. That is a way for the public to learn about what we do and the decisions we make. There is always a public comment period to make if statements if one wishes. I have been around for a long time and believe me some of the best solutions and ideas have come from the “simplest” positions.