Meet the candidates on April 15
Voters will have the opportunity to listen to and question candidates for the Weston County Hospital District board of trustees and Weston County Museum District board of trustees before the May election, thanks to the Weston County Republican Party. The event is scheduled for April 15 at 6 p.m. at the Newcastle Lodge and Convention Center.
“The Weston County Republican Party feels that it is very important for voters to have opportunities to meet the candidates in person and interact with them individually,” said Kari Drost, party chairman. “There is no substitute for personal interactions with candidates, and it helps forge the bond that must exist between elected officials and the people they represent.”
And with 10 candidates for the hospital district and three for the museum district, Drost said this interaction is even more crucial ahead of the vote.
“Not only does personal interaction give voters the chance to ask questions and hear candidates speak about issues, but it allows the voters to get a feel for each candidate’s level of commitment to and empathy for the voters as individuals, as well as their knowledge of the issues facing the office they are looking to hold,” she said.
Drost noted that she can’t count how many times her opinion on a candidate has been changed, for the good or bad, by shaking their hands and looking them in the eye.
“Make no mistake, an incumbent candidate’s voting record is of primary importance, as actions speak louder than words, but personal interaction with candidates, especially new candidates, is of vital importance in choosing someone to represent you,” she said.
With four seats up for grabs on the hospital board, two incumbents have chosen to again seek to fill a seat, Dottie Briggs and Jamie Farnsworth. Briggs was chosen to fill a vacant seat on the board on July 21, 2022, when she replaced Lisa Foster. Current board members LeAnn Kenagy and Connie James did not file for reelection.
The other candidates include F. Henry Nessul, Rhonda Purviance, Benjamin S. Roberts, William Curley, Ted Ertman, Mary Rankin, Nathan Ballard and Karine Wright West.
For the museum district, three four-year seats are up for grabs, and only three candidates filed, according to information provided by museum director Cindy Dysart. Incumbents Kasey Keeler and Bernie Terry will be joined on the ballot by John Williamson.
Current board member Mike Mills did not file for reelection.
The election for both districts will be held on May 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Polling places are the Weston County Library in Newcastle, the Osage Fire Hall and Upton Community Center.