Let's talk about what you want in a County Clerk
- Knowledge
- Transparency
- Passion
If you have any questions, give me a call:
785-633-0295
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My Background
Knowledge
For the past two years, I've been watching or listening to every single City Council and Board of County Commission meeting. Thousands of hours of meetings, for free, for you.
My family, my friends, my neighbors, do not have the time or patience to pay attention to every little policy decision at the city or county. As a truck driver for the past 8 years, I do. I've seen every presentation from every department head. I've seen every administrative comment, as well as every public comment.
I know what citizens are worried about because I've spoken to hundreds of my neighbors while gathering signatures for petitions. I've also listened to every concern voiced by a citizen during a public comment section.
Transparency
I've spent the time to learn about every department and policy voted on between the city and county, and in doing so, I've had dozens of conversations with various department heads as well as elected representatives across the city and county.
In a time where a common opinion is that the city and the county do not collaborate as much as they should be, an individual with a foot in both worlds would facilitate further collaboration between the city and county.
I use this knowledge to keep my family, friends, and neighbors aware of policy decisions that they may not have heard about otherwise.
A healthy democracy requires an informed citizenry. I've been doing this on my own for years, but as clerk, I can continue this mission of keeping citizens informed.
Passion
I've been working 60 hour work weeks six days a week for the last eight years, and yet, in my free time I have been researching, communicating, advocating, and giving testimony on your behalf, without you even knowing it. And for a while, that was helpful. Being a nobody when I stand at that lectern, gives me the ability to speak on any policy, on any issue, without preconceived notions or expectations about myself clouding the purpose of the testimony.
But it has become clear that in order to advocate more successfully for the citizens of Shawnee County, I'm going to need to be in the room.
The County Clerk maintains and certifies all communications between department heads, the Board of County Commissioners, as well as any other government entities, while making sure that all communications remain available to the public.
As your County Clerk, I will never stop working to enhance public information streams, as well as strengthen communication between the city and the county.
About Me
Who I am
Who am I? Well, to be honest, I'm just some guy. I've been a Dishwasher, a Grill Cook, a Domino's Delivery Driver; I've worked the outbound trailers at a Distribution Center. But starting at the end of 2015 I've been driving a semi-truck, and since 2016 I've been a flatbed and forklift operator in addition to my truck, driving local deliveries around Shawnee County, and to neighboring cities, or even Missouri or Wichita. Been working 60 hour work-weeks 6 days a week for those 8 years, rain, sleet, or snow.
Being a truck driver has allowed me to listen to/watch every single livestreamed Shawnee County public meeting AND City of Topeka meeting since the end of 2022, so I'm the point-guy for all of my friends and family if they have any questions about local politics.
My Home life
I'm 32 years old. I have a wife of 5 years, who I wouldn't be able to a do a dang thing without, and a couple of kids, Ryan (11), and Olivia (12). Who love taking up whatever time I have left over.
I've been a Youth Soccer Coach for three seasons. I'm now an Officer of my local Central Highland Park Neighborhood Improvement Association, through which I enjoy participating in service days where we pick up yard debris from the yards of our neighbors who need assistance.
Why am I qualified to be County Clerk
I love Shawnee County. I moved to Topeka in 1996 when I was 4 years old. I grew up in a trailer park near SE Adams and 37th Street. I went to Tecumseh South, and graduated from Shawnee Heights in 2010. I've taken my kids to Gage Park, I've biked our trails, I've tracked our Public Works projects, I've followed our budgetary decisions, I've given public testimony to the city, I've given public testimony to the county, I've given written testimony to the state legislature.
I've organized a petition. I've been the campaign manager on a winning local candidate race. I've canvassed dozens of neighborhoods around the county. I speak to people, I listen to people, I advocate on behalf of people.
I actively serve as a Secretary of multiple organizations currently, making sure to maintain compliance with typical by-laws and procedures for non-profit agencies. My duties also include taking diligent and accurate notes of meetings of which I am required to attend, a key function of the County Clerk position.
I've also led a staff of about a dozen individuals when I was a general manager of a local restaurant. It was totally on my shoulders to track goods, finances, and trends to lessen waste and maintain profitability in addition to the social aspect of scheduling and caring for staff.
I care. I care a lot. I worry about people not being involved in local politics and I hope this campaign brings me closer to more people, and gets them excited about following closer to county decisions.
The Platform
Avid County Advocate
I have walked several dozen neighborhoods, talking to Shawnee County citizens to get to know where citizens' opinions are. I've even gathered signatures for a petition, and provided public testimony many times. in front of various entities. I want to be an ear for Shawnee County citizens in a space near to the Board of County Commissioners.
Your Clerk for Transparency
It will be my job as County Clerk to do various clerical work for the county, as well as Freedom of Information requests. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need additional information on county matters.
Additionally, I've seen a great need for cross-talk between the City and the County, and as someone who stays abreast of every meeting between the two, I don't know of anyone better to communicate between the two bodies.
You can help by donating to my campaign!
As much as it hurts to say, campaigns require funding to run for office. Yard signs, door hangers, flyers, and mailers all require funding to pay for.
Making a donation today will help me get the word out so that I can serve you in office!
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