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Politics

2012-10-03 13:52:58

Know your local candidates

Q&A Times: Who exactly is Angela Trimble? What political office are you running for and what drew you to this? Trimble: I grew up on a farm near Altamont, and graduated from Labette County High School. While at Kansas State University, I volunteered for CASA, the Court-Appointed Special Advocates program, which trains volunteers to assist as representatives for children who are in the court system due to abuse and/or neglect. It was this experience that led me to law school in order to represent those who had no voice in the judicial process. I graduated from the University of Tulsa Law School, and within a year was working for the Southeast Kansas Legal Services in Pittsburg. Throughout my 17-year career as an attorney, I continued to work for people who do not have sufficient monetary means to hire an attorney, as a court-appointed defense attorney for indigent defendants, and as a Public Defender for the State of Kansas. I was given the opportunity to serve as an Assistant County Attorney in Crawford County, Kansas from 2003 through 2006. As I served the public in that capacity, I personally prosecuted criminals accused of child abuse, rape, and murder. My desire to help people is what drives me to run for the office of Crawford County Attorney. It is the county attorney’s office that has a direct influence on the lives of those who have been victimized, those whose well-being is often overlooked in the quest for “fairness.” Q&A Times: What do you feel are the key concerns of the constituency and where do you stand on those issues? Trimble: The first is community safety. Second is the prevalence of methamphetamine, its effect on our communities, and the destructive results it has on families. Those are two key concerns facing Crawford County and all of Southeast Kansas. As Crawford County Attorney, I will stand firm in the prosecution of all crimes, and especially those involving the manufacture and/or sale of methamphetamine. Production of meth is a destructive element for the family unit. Desire for the drug can override parental responsibility to result in neglect or endangerment to children. Exposure to toxic chemicals endangers everyone involved, especially children, to long-term effects, as inhalation of chemicals used to make meth can be damaging to soft tissues and body organs. Use of meth often incites other violence. The intensely addictive quality of the drug may have the result of additional crimes committed against persons or property to feed the user’s addiction. The damage caused to the community by meth production and use is environmental as well as financial. Meth production creates environmental hazards, in addition to cleanup costs. Q&A Times: What differentiates you from other candidates? Trimble: It is my desire to represent those persons who have been victimized by crime. The job of the Crawford County Attorney is to represent the taxpayers, the citizens of Crawford County, against criminals. Due to my training and experience, I understand a victim's concerns with their situation and legal process. I understand that it is important to listen to the victim, address the victim's concerns and explain the process. Most importantly,I understand that it is important to professionally represent the citizens of Crawford County. Next month we will discuss what experiences, both professional and personal, makes Angela Trimble best to address these issues.