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Education is the way to get ahead, both personally and socially. A skilled work force is a middle class, replaceable workforce. An educated work force is a strategic advantage for business and the economy. The studies are cliché regarding the earning variance between a high school drop out and a college graduate. Our goal is to maintain a school system that identifies and challenges all children, including at risk children, and invests in our most gifted and does so in a safe, structured environment via small class sizes and retaining quality teachers. My wife teaches gifted education, and we are expecting our first child. I believe, after interviewing a daycare provider who used to teach but left due to the high cost of daycare, we need to offer quality, affordable day care to married and single teachers to retain and lure quality talent from the area. A small investment in daycare would reduce turnover and be an incentive for quality educators. Any business professional will attest to the high cost of turnover. Can we afford rates this high? It takes a great deal of resources to train and get teachers to an effective level. We need to nurture and retain them. An advanced degree should be attainable, at a reasonable cost, for all children who achieve in high school. Skills should be nurtured for adults who choose not to pursue higher education. |
Overland Park needs to foster business development and diversify. Just as a good retirement portfolio is diversified, a strong local economy should also diversify. Sprint is a huge asset locally and regionally. The next State Senator, representing Overland Park, should work hard to get fortune 1,000 or 750 businesses to locate headquarters here and offer high-paying jobs to our educated college graduates, keeping our knowledge base close to home and increasing property values and spurring small business to supply the needs and desires of an educated middle to upper class work force. |
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Perspective on Economic Growth Economic growth will come only by offering companies a strategic advantage of a talented, highly educated workforce, with a mild climate, convenient airport and art and culture. We have a great, convenient, airport, an incredible museum, pro sports, low pollution, affordable cost of living and a great infrastructure. I think most people here will attest that Kansas City and Overland Park in particular are great places to live and work. We need to tout our assets and lure small and medium size businesses and create an environment that helps them grow and expand to a fortune 500 or 100 and bring higher paying jobs, increase property values, and afford us the opportunity to do great things for education, culture and environment. |
This is the story of Noah's Ark. Is it possible, a truth, or mere fable? Can a society offer affordable health care to all and retain talent and innovation? I believe we can use our minds and our talents to work across party lines. Will it be easy? Like all the issues, it will not be easy, but like the American Dream I believe it is possible. A truly affordable health care system would lure businesses, great teachers and ensure all students at every age level are able to focus on Maslow's Heirachery of needs and concentrate on education. |
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This is the major difference between me and my opponent. I believe we need to be environmentally aware. Increasing recycling programs, creating energy without huge pollution costs and cleaning up our rivers, lakes and streams are of great importance. We need to ensure current and future fossil fuel plants are clean and efficient. John Vratil voted in favor of the coal plants, which were to generate energy for Colorado and pollute Kansas . Our environment is our responsibility, and we need to protect it. The stream by Corporate Woods was ranked in 2008 as one of the most polluted in Kansas City . A sprawling suburban area should have streams that kids can play in, that communities can enjoy and that environmentalists can laud. Educating families and landscapers on proper fertilization techniques and holding people accountable will stop the pollution and help reverse the impact.
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