The following candidate questionnaire was separately filled out by the two Republicans running for State Representative for the 130th District in the Aug. 3 primary election.
The winner of this race will face no party opposition in the November general election.
Responses are published here in alphabetical order by last name.
NDN: What are your qualifications for being State Representative?
OTEY: My qualifications for being a State Representative are being part of the Neosho work force as an elementary teacher retiring after 25 years and Realtor since 2001. My involvement in community service as a member with the Neosho Exchange Club serving as President in 2005 and presently Secretary/Treasurer, past chairperson of the Education & Scholarship committee of the Newton-McDonald County Board of Realtors and presently serve as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Board, elected in 2008 to the Neosho R-5 School Board, and serving my second term as President of the Republican Women of Newton County. For several years I have been a volunteer for the Food Basket Brigade and now serve as a steering committee member and have been actively involved in the Republican Party by walking neighborhoods, working phone banks, and as a poll watcher.
REIBOLDT: I am seeking the position of State Representative for the 130th District and I want to serve all the people of the district. As a lifelong resident of the 130th District, I know the people as well as the issues they are facing. I have been involved in agri-business for over 40 years, owning and operating the business. I graduated with Harding University with a degree in business administration. Following graduation, I served in the U.S. Army and the Missouri National Guard. I am a family man, married to Kathleen for 37 years. We have three children and eight grandchildren. We are members of Hillcrest Church of Christ, where I have currently serve in a leadership position. I have also been involved in other community organizations as well as farm cooperatives. I believe I have a good understanding of the 130th District, as well as what is required of a State Representative.
NDN: Why do you want to be State Representative?
OTEY: I want to serve as the next State Representative because my past and current experience and strong leadership skills will be used to listen to the wishes and concerns of the residents that I represent. I have established a proven track record of getting things done as an educator and in my involvement within the community. The community boards I serve on have allowed me to work with different personalities which will help in a smooth transition in serving the office as a State Representative. My knowledge of the political process will allow me to make a positive contribution to the office in which I will serve.
REIBOLDT: I have always had an interest in government and history. While in college, I had the opportunity to study federal and state government. I enjoyed studying the U.S. Constitution and the history that has made our country great. I have always had the desire to serve in the Missouri House of Representatives, and it would be an honor to serve the people of the 130th District in Jefferson City.
NDN: Hypothetical question: You’re elected and a certain bill comes to the House floor. A majority of your constituents tell you to vote one way, but your inner self tells you to vote the opposite. What do you do?
OTEY: The 130th District is made up of a number of diverse groups of people and has wide ranging demographics. In some cases, bills that come to the floor will be viewed by each group in different ways. My job as State Representative is to understand the bill I am voting on, explain to the residents of the district and its affect in their daily lives, and vote in a manner which best represents the district as a whole.
REIBOLDT: As a State Representative, I will always be the voice of the constituents that I represent. To answer this hypothetical question, however, this is what I would do: First, I would listen to both sides of the issue and perhaps conduct public forums so individuals can express their concerns. Then, I would study the issue thoroughly and decide what would be in the best interest of all the district, as well as the state of Missouri. In the final analysis, I will vote with the majority of my constituents. I believe I know the people of the district and their ideas well enough that this will probably not be a huge problem.
NDN: If elected, how will you be accessible to your constituents and how will you determine what their concerns and priorities are as citizens of the 130th District? Please be specific.
OTEY: I have a strong belief if you serve your community as a public servant you should always be accessible to the people you represent. I will always be available in a variety of ways such as telephone, political and social networking websites, attending meetings and events. My legislative assistant will be instructed to promptly forward messages to me so that I may respond in a timely manner to questions and concerns of the residents within the district. Talking to the people you represent is the number one tool in making a strong, well informed State Representative.
REIBOLDT: If elected I will, to the very best of my ability, be as accessible and as transparent as humanly possible. I will be at local events and try to always be a part of each community that I represent. I will write articles in local newspapers. I will try to be on radio or other media outlets to give updates on current legislation. I may try to hold public forums to allow citizens to voice their concerns. I can always be reached by telephone or e-mail and will make the contact information available to all.
NDN: What is the first bill you intend to file in the House, if elected?
OTEY: There is a steep learning curve for freshmen legislators and at this time I do not have specific legislation to file. I will focus on areas of legislation that will affect education, jobs, and seniors which could have a positive or negative impact. I am looking forward in learning my role as an incoming legislator. My leadership skills and assertiveness will allow me to make a smooth transition to serve on committees and make a positive difference. I want to lead and continue a strong representation and voice for the 130th District.
REIBOLDT: This is probably the most difficult question to answer for many reasons. First of all, I will not be going to Jefferson City with any set agenda. Secondly, we don’t know our committee assignments or in what areas we will be working. It’s possible I may have the opportunity to research and help other legislators and maybe even co-sponsor a bill in my first year. There may also be the opportunity to work on bills that are in the making from former legislators, bills that had been started but not finished. My plan is to work hard, study, research, and be an active part of the legislative process.
NDN: Would you ever vote for a bill that you personally support but that a majority of your political party colleagues do not?
OTEY: Yes I can envision times when I would vote against the wishes of those in the Republican Party. I have chosen to do so as a school board member and while serving on other committee’s and boards.
REIBOLDT: I am very proud to be a member of the Missouri Republican Party, and my views are consistent with the Republican Party platform on all state government issues. It is very important that the Republican Party is in the majority because of the stand we take in Southwest Missouri. I have found the majority of my future constituents share the same conservative values as I do. It will be a pleasure to work together with these individuals.
NDN: What is the single greatest challenge facing the State of Missouri today and what is your basic solution?
OTEY: There is no doubt the single greatest challenge facing Missouri residents is how in difficult economic times we will meet the requirements of the Missouri Constitution and balance the budget. Decisions to cut spending will be difficult and in many cases painful for those who rely on the state for funding such as education, social services, and our seniors. Putting people back to work must be at the top as well. Bringing jobs, creating needed jobs, and keeping existing jobs for Missouri workers is a challenge facing Missouri in the next session. The challenge of finding solutions should be never ending.
REIBOLDT: The greatest challenge facing the State of Missouri is the unsustainable federal deficit spending by our federal government. Federal spending has reached record levels with no end in sight.
Unless we bring this spending under control, we will be facing uncertainly as a state and as a free people.
As Missourians, we must continue to balance our state budget and make the difficult decisions to not spend money we don’t have, as well as to not raise state taxes.
To get our economy going again, we must allow the private sector and the free market capitalism to grow and not be restricted.
Therefore, we must not continue to grow the federal government. Big government is not the answer, it is the problem. Less government that is closest to the people is the answer.
