The Hugoton City Council and USD 210 Board of Education Candidate Forum was conducted Monday evening, March 23 at the Hugoton High School auditorium. The event was sponsored by the Hugoton Education Association, Stevens County Economic Development Board,  Stevens County Farm Bureau Association, as well as the Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce and their gold members.

City Council candidates were up first. Community members running in the April 7 election are Stachia Nordyke, Tron Stegman, Jason Teeter and Frankie Thomas.

Jack Rowden is running unopposed for re-election as Mayor of Hugoton.

All the candidates gave a short message introducing themselves and told a little about their background.

Each candidate then answered the questions presented by forum coordinator Bobbi Ferguson. The questions were as follows:
•    Why are you seeking this position as City Council member?
•    Elected officials make decisions based on the best  available information. How do you think  the elected officials make sure the interests of most people are best served when they are pressured by very vocal individuals who claim to speak for the majority?
•    What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing the City of Hugoton and how do you think that challenge should be
addressed?
•    What do you believe are the good things about Hugoton that would make someone want to live here and do business here?
•    If you are elected, what would your goals be in your position and the vision you have for the City of Hugoton four years from now?

The forum was then opened for questions from the audience.  However, no one had any queries.

Six candidates running for the USD 210 Board of Education were presented with a list of questions.

Candidates introduced themselves to the audience, including some of their background. Introduction of the school board candidates started with Dettra Crawford, followed by Jason Dale, Todd Gayer, Barry Hittle, Mike Persinger and Buffie Schooley.

Each candidate was given one minute to answer nine questions presented. The questions were as follows:
•    Why are you seeking a position as school board member and what do you see in the board’s rules and responsibilities?
•    Do you have sufficient time and energy to devote to this position?
•    What is your vision for education in this community for now and in the future?
•    Describe your past commitment to involvement in public schools including enrollment decisions involving your own
children and family?
•    How can elected officials make sure the interest of most people are best served while some people are very vocal and often claim to speak for the majority?
•    Given the current lack of adequate funding  for education from the state and shifting of this burden to the local  community, what would you do as a board member to help this district solve this problem?
•    As a school board member, what would you do to help the district increase parent and community involvement – especially at the school sites?
•    As a local school board member, what would you do to ensure a safe environment for our students in our school?
•    Do you support the collective bargaining process between employees and the district?

Each candidate answered the questions presented with informative answers. They expressed why they felt their election to the school board would be in the best interests of the community.

Before leaving for the evening, the audience was allowed to ask questions not covered in the forum. Bill Losey asked about bullying in the school, including current measures and possible future solutions. Stephanie Hemann then inquired what the potential school board member would do if confronted by an irate person, and what steps would they take to rectify the situation.

If you are interested in hearing each candidates’ response to the questions posed, the entire forum can be viewed online by clicking here.

Please get out and vote Tuesday, April 7 at the Memorial Hall.