Don't miss this great program at Lafco GOP dinner meeting on June 26th in Higginsville: Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) to speak on why he opposes Medicaid expansion in Missouri.

Senator Kurt Schaefer - District 19
Visit his official senatorial page here.

Thursday, June 26 --Joint meeting of Central Committee and Friends and Federated Women's Club of Lafayette County at the Belarussian Baker and Restaurant, Higginsville. 

Two meat-buffet dinner at 6:30 PM with program to follow. No business meeting. Dinner is Dutch Treat and includes two meats, potato, vegetable, salad, coffee or tea, and dessert bar. Wine and beer cash bar. 

RSVP dinner reservation to kayhoflander@yahoo.com

LOCATION: Dinner meeting at the Belarussian Baker and Restaurant, 2010 Shelby, Higginsville, MO.  Facebook: The Belarussian Baker 

PROGRAM: Sen. Kurt Schaefer (R-Columbia) to speak on why he opposes Medicaid expansion in Missouri.  For more information, click here.

Glen Kolkmeyer seeks second term as State Representative of 53rd District; achieves Freshman Legislator of the Year Award

Glen Kolkmeyer, is seeking his second term as State Representative of the 53^rd District.  He currently represents Lafayette County and parts of Jackson and Johnson counties.  He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012. 

As a freshman legislator, the Speaker of the House, Tim Jones appointed Kolkmeyer to Vice-Chairman of the House Transportation Committee.  He was also named Freshman Legislator of the Year for his work on Transportation issues. 

Kolkmeyer commented “It has truly been an honor to serve the citizens of the 53^rd District.  I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished these past two years to make Missouri a better place for our children and grandchildren.

In addition to his legislative duties, Representative Kolkmeyer is owner and CEO of Energy Transport Solutions, Inc. for 26 years.  He was also the Fire Chief for Wellington-Napoleon Fire Protection District for 20 years.  He was an Emergency Medical Technician for 29 years.

In 2008, Governor Matt Blunt appointed Kolkmeyer to serve on the newly formed Missouri Propane Gas (safety) Commission.  He served as chairman of the commission for two years, and is currently serving on the executive committee.

He was a former president of the Missouri Propane Gas Association and Lafayette County Firefighters Association.  He is also the current president of the Lafayette County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund, a past board member of the Wellington-Napoleon Protection District and the Lafayette County 9-1-1 Advisory Board.  A member of National Rifle Association and the Missouri Trucking Association,

Representative Kolkmeyer currently resides in rural Wellington with his wife, Lisa.  They attend Calvary Baptist Church in Odessa.  They have a son Eric and a daughter Emily and four grandchildren. The Kolkmeyers love to travel, camp, and spend time with family and friends especially their grandchildren.  

Meet Russell Kruse, Republican candidate for Associate Circuit Judge, Division 2, Lafayette County, in the November 2014 general election. Kruse is unopposed in the August Republican primary.

KRUSE FOR JUDGE

Meet Russell Kruse, Republican candidate for Associate Circuit Judge, Division 2, Lafayette County. Please visit his website at attached link: http://www.kruseforjudge.com/and learn more about this outstanding candidate for "probate judge". Kruse for Judge 2014!

Kruse: "I am a country lawyer, raised with small town values, seeking the judgeship of the Division 2 associate circuit of Lafayette County, MO. After 28 years of professional service to clients, municipalities, county officials, businesses and clients, I will use my experience and knowledge to dispense justice, tempered with mercy, to those who come to the court. Judges are public servants, and I pledge to take the  job in a servant’s role with dignity and integrity. Although our constitution places this race on a partisan ticket, justice is not for parties, but rather for people, without regard to their politics, personalities, religion, or wealth."   

Read more on his website and help support this fine candidate for Associate Circuit Judge!

Resume, qualifications and business affiliations: click here.

Harold Hoflander running for re-election as Lafayette County Presiding Commissioner

Harold Hoflander for Presiding Commissioner

From left: Harold Hoflander, Presiding Commissioner, Linda Niendick, County Clerk, and Jim Strodtman, retired Presiding Commissioner (served 20 years)

It's hard to believe that I am in my fourth year as Presiding Commissioner of Lafayette County. I filed for re-election in February and will be on the November ballot, running unopposed. I am grateful for the support so many have given me during my first term, and I am looking forward to continuing to serve Lafayette County to the best of my abilities during my second term in office.

This photo was taken on December 31, 2010, when Linda Niendick, Lafayette County Clerk, administered the oath of office to me, and we were joined by Jim Strodtman, who retired after 20 years as Presiding Commissioner. It was a pleasure to work with Jim in the transition process back then, and it has been an honor and pleasure to serve with our County Clerk Linda Niendick during my first term. I encourage you to remember to vote in the August 5 primary in which Linda is up for re-election. We are fortunate in Lafayette County to have excellent public servants such as Linda and the other elected officials that I work with each day at the Courthouse. Thank you all.

Linda Niendick is running for re-election as Lafayette County Clerk. Don't forget to vote in the August 5th primary.

 Experience

 that WORKS for Lafayette County!

 

Service • Integrity • Commitment 

 

Meet Deana Aversman, Republican Candidate for Circuit Clerk of Lafayette County

 Deana Aversman, Republican Candidate

 for Circuit Clerk of Lafayette County

Deana Aversman is the unopposed candidate for the office of Circuit Clerk of Lafayette County.  She and her husband, Dale, reside on their farm just north of Corder where he raises cattle, row crops and operates his insurance business.  Daughters Michelle and Lauren are both students of UMKC and son-in-law Aaron is the sales manager for Ag-Power.  

Deana has held the office of Circuit Clerk since 1995 and is a twenty-year member of the Missouri Circuit Clerk's Association with six years of board experience.  She is currently a faculty member of the Missouri Court Management Institute, Vice-Chair of the State's Court Clerk Education Committee, a member of the Clerical Weighted Workload Committee and Civil Focus Group, all sponsored by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.   Deana is very active in promoting and participating in the educational programs created and designed for judicial clerks across the state.  She is regularly listed as a faculty member of the biannual Court Clerk College offered to clerks of all skill levels and participates in the New Circuit Clerk Orientation sessions designed to educate and assist newly elected Circuit Clerks. 

Since beginning her employment with the Circuit Clerk's office in 1983, Deana has used her experience to develop a proactive approach to the constant changes  and challenges of the office by promoting positive customer service, maintaining a high level of judicial record accuracy and helping improve the educational and training resources for staff.  The implementation of a preservation program has been very successful resulting in the alleviation of storage problems and increased efficiency in record searches and retrieval.  Currently, she is focusing on the transition from working with paper records to electronic records as business practices will soon change to accommodate the electronic filing and management of judicial records.      

Meet Cherie Mason, candidate for Lafayette County Auditor. Cherie is seeking re-election and is running unopposed.

Cherie Mason shares her thoughts on running for re-election as County Auditor:

-->

I am running unopposed for the office of County Auditor. My husband Dean and I live in Lexington and have been married for 28 years. We have four children and six grandchildren. Jeremy and his family live in Ida Grove, Iowa; Travis and his family live in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Melissa and her husband live in Chicago, Illinois, and Chad and his family live in Lexington.

Previously, I worked in the Auditor’s office from 1991-1994 as Deputy Auditor.  In 1995, I was elected as your County Auditor, therefore, at the end of this term I have been with Lafayette County for 24 years. 

The Auditor’s office is tasked with Internal Controls, Internal Audit, and Financial Reporting of all the funds and offices of Lafayette County.

I am a member of the Missouri Auditor’s Association and have had the privilege of serving as Secretary-Treasurer from 2006-2008 and President of the Association from 2008-2010.

 

Since 1991, I have seen many changes in the County. I continue to keep current with technology and legislation to implement changes needed to run the Auditor’s office through the Missouri Auditor’s Association, Missouri Association of Counties and the Government Finance Officers Association.

I am looking forward to continue serving the citizens of Lafayette County for another four years.Thank you for your support during my tenure in the Auditor's office. It is greatly appreciated.

Meet JoAnn Swartz, Republican primary candidate for Recorder in Lafayette County

JoAnn Swartz shares her thoughts on running 

 for Lafayette County Recorder

My name is JoAnn Swartz.

My husband, Randy and I live in Lexington and have been married for 24 years.

Randy is employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Richmond. We are the proud parents of two children. Our daughter Karmen is 23 and employed by Cerner in Kansas City, Kansas, and is married to Josh Ghisalberti who works for UPS through Higginsville. And our son Nick is 19 and is attending Wentworth Military Academy and College as a freshman.

I am originally from Dover. My parents are Albert & Josephine Ryun and I am the daughter-in-law of Donna Swartz and the late James (Skinny) Swartz.

I am running for the office of Lafayette County Recorder of Deeds. I have had the privilege of working for over thirteen years as Deputy Recorder for long time Recorder, Patsy Olvera. Prior to my time in the Recorder’s Office I worked several years in the County Assessor’s Office and have several years of experience in different areas of banking. I am currently a member of the Immaculate Conception Church of Lexington, the Federated Republican Women, the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce, Lexington Tourism Bureau and the Lexington Historical Association. I have currently completed serving my ninth year as a Lexington School Board member with the last three years serving as School Board President.

It is my belief that in any position held within the County you are a public servant that offers a high level of customer service to all citizens throughout Lafayette County and if elected I will continue the high level of customer service that has always been present under the leadership of Patsy Olvera.

I am asking for your support and vote in the August 5th primary.

Thank You.

Meet Penny Grosso, Republican primary candidate for Recorder of Deeds

Penny Grosso shares her thoughts on running for Recorder in Lafayette County

 

My name is Penny Grosso, and I am running for Recorder.

I will bring a lifetime blend of government and real world experience to the Lafayette County Recorder’s office. Currently serving as Executive Director for the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce and Contract Manager for two License Bureaus, I understand the need for top notch customer service, accurate record keeping, and accountability to taxpayers.

Raised in Odessa, I arrived in Lexington in 1973 to work for Mattingly Stores Company.  I held several positions with Mattinglys, including administrative assistant, accounts payable manager, and buyer.  From Mattinglys, I went on to run a successful small business for 15 years – before serving almost a decade as Deputy Recorder of Deeds for Lafayette County.  For the last four years, I have worked with small businesses through the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce.

My husband, Dan, and I have been married 32 years - and have 4 sons and 7 grandchildren.  Dan has been an instructor at Wentworth Military Academy for 10 years after retiring from the public school system. We are active members of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lexington and as lifelong Republicans; we have worked to instill conservative values in our family and community.

In these lean fiscal times, it has never been more important that our tax dollars are overseen by someone with a proven track record of success. I will ensure continuance of strong transparency and fiscal accountability in the Recorder of Deeds office

 

Kelly Halford Rose is the unopposed Republican candidate for Lafayette County's Associate Circuit Judge, Division 3

Kelly Halford Rose

Unopposed Candidate for Lafayette County Associate Circuit Judge
 Division 3

Kelly Rose is the sole candidate for Lafayette County’s Associate Circuit Judge - Division 3 seat.  Ms. Rose graduated from University of Missouri at Kansas City’s School of Law in 1987.  Upon graduation, she was employed with Moore & Willy, PC, as a civil litigator and associate attorney from 1987 until 1990.  From 1990 until 1993, Candidate Rose served the citizens of Lafayette County as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.  Following her service in the Prosecutor’s Office, Ms. Rose entered private practice, maintaining offices in Lexington and Odessa, for over 20 years.

Previously, Ms. Rose served as Municipal Prosecuting Attorney for several Lafayette County Municipalities and as Municipal Court Judge for several cities in Jackson, Lafayette and Saline Counties.  Presently, Ms. Rose, serves as Municipal Court Judge for the cities of Concordia, Waverly, Alma, Blackburn, Emma, Lexington, and Lake Lafayette.  Ms. Rose is an active member of the Missouri Municipal and Associate Circuit Judges Association.

While in private practice and public service, Ms. Rose annually completed over 20 Continuing Legal Education hours, including Trial Advocacy and Asset Forfeiture coursework as well as DWI Law Workshops.

In addition, Ms. Rose has served on the Board of Directors for the Court-Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) and Lafayette County’s House of Hope.

She is married to Richard Wayne Rose, Jr. and they have 5 children ages 14-27 and 2 grandchildren.