Cole County candidates talk issues at forum

Jeff Hoelscher, left, and Ed Williams answer debate questions during a forum Tuesday at the Jefferson City Hall. Both are candidates for Cole County Eastern District commissioner.
Jeff Hoelscher, left, and Ed Williams answer debate questions during a forum Tuesday at the Jefferson City Hall. Both are candidates for Cole County Eastern District commissioner.

The candidates for the two contested races in the Nov. 8 general election in Cole County answered questions about why they felt they were the best person to be in those offices.

At the first of two forums held at Jefferson City Hall Tuesday night, and sponsored by the News Tribune, the candidates for public administrator were asked how would they approach making decisions for those who can't care for themselves or have no one to care for them.

Democrat Jean Schwaller said finding services in the community that can make things better for them would be a start.

"The decision depends on what resources are available," she said. "Taking care of the person and making sure they have what they need is critical, like bus service or other ways to get to and from where they live."

Republican Joe Kuensting was asked how much control the public administrator should have over a client to make sure they are safe and secure.

"I want to let them have a voice," he said. "My father lost his abilities and had to be put in a facility, but we still let him make his own decisions. Listening to everyone who has input such as case managers, facility administrators, that's very important."

Schwaller responded: "If anyone sitting here believes Joe or I can make decisions about what time these folks should get up and brush your teeth, you're wrong. It's a team that you have to work with, including medical professionals and case workers, to make sure they are being treated compassionately."

Kuensting said he wants to give the more than 200 clients currently served by the public administrator the ability to live a quality life.

"You're responsible for the physical, mental and financial needs of these clients," he said. "I am most compassionate. I will make sure I'm available every day they want to see me. I want them to have a successful life. I want them to have a job if they want it."

"I fully understand this is a 24/7 job," Schwaller said. "If something happens on a holiday, you have to deal with it. Marilyn (Schmutzler) has done an extremely good job for 17 years. She and the three and a half employees have done outstanding. If I'm elected, I want to see what is working. If it's not broken, don't fix it."

When asked what are the biggest issues for the public administrator and how should they be addressed, Schwaller said educating other officials, such as the county commission, as to her clients' needs would be a priority.

"If a road is in need of repair, the commission is usually moving to fix it," she said. "The caseload in the next five years is moving up. Any administrator in this state will tell you that. Convincing county leaders there is a need I think will be a priority."

Kuensting replied: "I worked in the department of mental health, and getting out there and being able to do a case by case review is so important. I want to be able to have a staff that will allow me to get out and meet each and every one of these clients face to face."

The second forum featured the candidates for Eastern District commissioner where Republican incumbent Jeff Hoelscher defended the decision of the commission to earmark $140,000 to the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce for economic development purposes.

"We make sure the chamber is accountable and they do a lot behind the scenes that doesn't get reported," he said. "We couldn't begin to do economic development ourselves. Their results are very difficult to measure because you can't just base it on how many jobs you bring in. They are working at developing ways to get people here like diversifying with technology."

Hoelscher's competition, Democrat Ed Williams, said: "The chamber hasn't brought jobs. They've put out a lot of smoke but not much results. The public administrator's office, the sheriff's department, health department all need more staff, and the money we give to the chamber could go to help those departments. We're at 4 percent unemployment, which is the same as full employment, and our current industries have a hard time finding people to fill positions. Bring jobs, or don't get the money. It's bottom line accounting."

In June, the commission was criticized for its decision to not lower the flag after the mass shooting at an Orlando nightclub despite President Barack Obama's proclamation to lower them. The commission later reversed its decision and lowered the flag. Hoelscher defended his decision to vote against lowering of the flag.

"The ordinance we have is not too restrictive, and in other similar instances, we had decided not to lower it," he said. "It was this one incident where we got criticized. I still think that lowering the flag was happening too often. What number of people dying makes a difference? I never meant to offend. I think only days set by congress or when a local soldier dies should it happen. I had a lot of military people support me on my stance."

"People all over now know Jefferson City as a city of bigots because of this," Williams said. "I think when the president or governor says it should be lowered, you should do it."

The candidates also talked about the August vote by the commission to give county officials back pay owed to them because of an unnoticed change in state law. While he voted against the back pay, Hoelscher received the largest portion of the back pay. Williams said he would take only $1,000 a month for the job.

Both have said they don't want the money, but state law says they have to accept. Hoelscher said the money he got is sitting in the bank.

"I have talked with schools about setting up scholarships and have talked with organizations such as the Special Learning Center about ways I could help them."

Williams said: "My first choice would be to give back the money to the county, but if I can't, I'd look to help charities."

When asked if they viewed the commissioners' position as a full-time job, Hoelscher said, "We are always working. We're getting calls at night wanting us to look at roads and other issues. I'd actually call it a job where you're always accessible."

Williams added: "It's a service, not a job. If it takes 50 hours to complete the job, I'll do it. If it takes 20 hours, I'll do it. I want to do this because there is a need. I'm not doing it for the money."

Video:

Cole County Public Administrator Candidate Forum (via JCTV)

Cole County Eastern District Commissioner Candidate Forum (via JCTV)