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Politics

2012-10-03 14:10:01

Know your local candidates

On November 6th our country will once again be allowed to exercise our freedom, and right to vote in the 2012 elections. As always, we are striving to differentiate ourselves from other media outlets, educating and informing readers and providing information that touches them personally, in their daily lives. All rhetoric aside, we want to dive deep into the issues that matter to you, the voter. In that effort, we've laid out five questions with the following candidates to gather a little insight into who they are, what they're running for, and what issues they can resolve that are important to you, the voter. We can do the same with any and all candidates.

Q&A Times: Who exactly is Bob Grant? What political office are you running for and what drew you to this? Grant: I am the present 2nd District State Representative who is looking to be rehired to represent those constituents in Topeka when the 2013 legislative session begins. I am running again because I want to ensure that our children and grandchildren have good public schools and that we have a responsible tax policy that does not overburden local property owners. Our state now, more than ever, needs leaders who will keep an open mind and remain willing to work together for good policy instead of good politics I was drawn to serving the people through government in 1981 when I was elected Mayor of Cherokee serving for 16 years. When my friend, Sam Roper, retired in 1991, I won the appointment to his position of State Representative and have held that position since, with the exception of the 93-94 term when I unwillingly went on sabbatical. Cherokee is my home town. My wife, Lynn, and I lived there for 42 years, moving to Frontenac last year. We have one daughter, Megan and her husband, Kevin Fry and 2 grandchildren, Ross & Katie. Q&A Times: What differentiates you from other candidates? Grant: This election offers a clear choice between candidates. I have always been a moderate who has enjoyed the relationships I have established with members of both parties. I have a proven track record of working with both Democrats and Republicans in the Capitol to accomplish results benefitting the people of Kansas. In these challenging times, experience and the ability to work across party lines counts for a lot. I am fiscally responsible in my legislative decisions as well as in my personal life. My decisions are based on what is best for the 2nd District. My opponent is a Brownback ultra-conservative. Many Kansans are starting to realize that the state is being used as a guinea pig by the Brownback administration. I don’t know about you but I don’t like being used as a guinea pig. If the experiment fails, the state of Kansas fails. We, the working citizens of Kansas will have to deal with the fallout. The tax plan and its elimination of tax credits passed last session will not benefit the working people. We have had cuts to services to those who need them most, yet the more wealthy will receive new tax breaks. Robin Hood in reverse. The agenda to privatize many government services is not beneficial to the lives of most Kansans. The choice is a moderate who can and will work with both sides of the aisle to solve the challenges faced by the state in these difficult times. Or a rubber stamp for the governor and those who would like to see privatization of public schools, senior services and a variety of government agencies. Next month we will dive into key concerns of the constituency, where Bob stands on those as well as his personal and professional experiences that makes him best to address these issues.