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Clay County assessor candidate profiles
Incumbent Cathy Rinehart, a Democrat, and newcomers Mike Ebenroth and Alicia Bedgood, both Republicans, will run for their respective parties’ tickets for the Clay County assessor’s seat in the August 2008 primary election. Rinehart, running unopposed, will face the Republican primary winner in the November election. Candidates completed these questionnaires for voters to know more about their backgrounds and views before going to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 5.
Cathy Rinehart
Office seeking: Clay County assessor
Address and length of residency: has lived in Gladstone for 35 years
Birthday: Feb. 28, 1953
Occupation: Clay County assessor
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in economics and finance from University of Oklahoma
Public offices you have held, including dates of service: Clay County assessor since September 1997
Organizations, boards, committees, etc. you serve on: member of Gamma Phi Beta, Northland Democrats, Northwest Missouri State University Phi Delta Theta parents group, Red Hats, Missouri Assessors public relations committee, Missouri Assessors Web site director and Missouri Assessors co-chair to establish a required certification/designation for all assessors in Missouri
Marital status: married
Children: one
1. Why are you running for this seat?
To be an assessor you need someone with the ability to deal with extremely demanding stressful situations, someone with common sense, a level head and who is capable of thinking. I have these qualifications. I like solving problems and dealing with the citizens. The job can be difficult, but I truly love what I do and that is why I’m seeking re-election.
2. What do Clay County residents need most from their assessor?
The Clay County assessment department has the reputation of being the most knowledgeable, friendly and helpful assessment department in the Kansas City area. The residents need a knowledgeable assessor and assessment department. The assessor is the person that sets the tone of the office. I have pushed education for my staff and me, so we can continue to serve the public with a friendly, professional, educated, knowledgeable staff. The motto of this office is “I know who I work for, the residents of Clay County.
3. What do you think are the three major issues facing the county? Where do you stand on these issues?
The hardworking employees of Clay County have not had a merit raise since 1999. (There is no money for this.)
4. What is your view of the county’s current direction?
The demand for more services from Clay County has increased. (There is no money for this.)
5. Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
I have suggested Clay County go to four 10-hour work days to help with the expenses of operating Clay County. Other than that I have no solutions to the lack of revenue.
Alicia Bedgood
Office you are seeking: Clay County assessor
Address and length of residency: lives in Kansas City North
Birthday: Nov. 17, 1978
Occupation: homemaker
Education: some college
Public offices you have held, including dates of service: no answer
Organizations, boards, committees, etc. you serve on: n/a
Marital status: married to Jerry Bedgood
Children: two
1. Why are you running for this seat?
I want to be a part of something great. I feel that I would do the job well and be fair. I also see a decline in the housing market and realize that property values have gone down a bit. I would be fair and adjust accordingly. It makes sense that if the value of your home has gone down then your property tax should follow. We haven’t seen that.
2. What do Clay County’s residents need most from their assessor?
Clay County needs someone to stand up and do what’s right and fair.
Due to our current economy, when people sell their homes, they find that they aren’t getting what they thought their home was worth. It’s not uncommon for people to have their homes on the market for months and finally sell when they drop the asking price. Property taxes keep going up. Can you help but question why are the taxes going up while the property value is going down? If I’m elected, I’m going to get started immediately by checking into the assessed values and adjust them accordingly to current conditions.
3. What do you think are the three major issues facing the county? Where do you stand on these issues?
I think Clay County overall is a great place. We’ve got great schools, parks and shopping centers.
But with a growing community there are a lot of streets that need to be widened or repaired. Missouri Highway 291 from 96th Street to Stark, for example, needs to be widened. There have been many accidents in that stretch of highway due to more traffic and no turn lane. Again, property taxes.
With some areas the prices have gone down while the property taxes go up. That doesn’t make much sense to me. If the value goes down, the taxes should follow. We’re not seeing that.
4. What is your view of the county’s current direction?
Clay County is a desirable place to live. Everything is very convenient as far as location. We have a growing population. Families want to bring the children up in great areas with great schools, fortunately we provide these things.
5. Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
n/a
Michael “Mike” Ebenroth
Office you are seeking: Clay County assessor
Address and length of residency: has lived in Kearney for six years
Birthday: June 14, 1951
Occupation: real estate agent with Reece & Nichols Realtors, Excelsior Springs
Education: associate degree from Triton College, River Grove Ill., and graduate of the Realtor Institute
Public offices you have held: Excelsior Springs City Council, including one year as mayor (1992-1996)
Organizations, boards, committees, etc. you serve on: director, Missouri Association of Realtors; secretary/treasurer, Kansas City Chiefs Redcoaters; co-chair Excelsior Springs Community 2000 SAFE Committee
Marital status: married to Darla
Children: three
1. Why are you running for this seat?
I am running for Clay County assessor to bring my 23 years of business experience to the assessor’s office to insure that the office is run as efficiently and smoothly as possible. I will strive to make sure that all citizens and employees are treated as fairly as possible thereby eliminating potential lawsuits against this office. I will also use my real estate experience and my knowledge of land values to see that all properties are assessed fair and accurate, especially in today’s market place.
2. What do Clay County’s residents need most from their assessor?
Clay County residents, first of all need an assessor who is approachable to discuss any real or personal property questions. They also need an assessor who is fair and accurate in dealing with assessments. They should also expect the office to be run in a businesslike and professional manner. And lastly, the assessor should be open to any discussion regarding assessed values and seek a solution in order to avoid costly lawsuits.”
3. What do you think are the three major issues facing the county? Where do you stand on these issues?
Taxes. As the assessor it’s my job to make sure that both personal and real property taxes are assessed fairly and accurately.
Budget. The county needs to balance the needs of its citizens and make sure the expenses are in line with the income generated yet provide the necessary services with out always increasing taxes.
Affordable housing. There needs to be more affordable housing available, which in turn will attract more businesses which lead to more jobs.
4. What is your view of the county’s current direction?
Clay County is a growing community of over 200,000 population and we need to make sure we continue to be aggressive enough and progressive enough to meet the needs of all of our citizens.
5. Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
I feel that my 23 years of business experience and my eight-plus years as a Realtor make me the best assessor candidate for Clay County.
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Cathy Rinehart
Office seeking: Clay County assessor
Address and length of residency: has lived in Gladstone for 35 years
Birthday: Feb. 28, 1953
Occupation: Clay County assessor
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in economics and finance from University of Oklahoma
Public offices you have held, including dates of service: Clay County assessor since September 1997
Organizations, boards, committees, etc. you serve on: member of Gamma Phi Beta, Northland Democrats, Northwest Missouri State University Phi Delta Theta parents group, Red Hats, Missouri Assessors public relations committee, Missouri Assessors Web site director and Missouri Assessors co-chair to establish a required certification/designation for all assessors in Missouri
Marital status: married
Children: one
1. Why are you running for this seat?
To be an assessor you need someone with the ability to deal with extremely demanding stressful situations, someone with common sense, a level head and who is capable of thinking. I have these qualifications. I like solving problems and dealing with the citizens. The job can be difficult, but I truly love what I do and that is why I’m seeking re-election.
2. What do Clay County residents need most from their assessor?
The Clay County assessment department has the reputation of being the most knowledgeable, friendly and helpful assessment department in the Kansas City area. The residents need a knowledgeable assessor and assessment department. The assessor is the person that sets the tone of the office. I have pushed education for my staff and me, so we can continue to serve the public with a friendly, professional, educated, knowledgeable staff. The motto of this office is “I know who I work for, the residents of Clay County.
3. What do you think are the three major issues facing the county? Where do you stand on these issues?
The hardworking employees of Clay County have not had a merit raise since 1999. (There is no money for this.)
4. What is your view of the county’s current direction?
The demand for more services from Clay County has increased. (There is no money for this.)
5. Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
I have suggested Clay County go to four 10-hour work days to help with the expenses of operating Clay County. Other than that I have no solutions to the lack of revenue.
Alicia Bedgood
Office you are seeking: Clay County assessor
Address and length of residency: lives in Kansas City North
Birthday: Nov. 17, 1978
Occupation: homemaker
Education: some college
Public offices you have held, including dates of service: no answer
Organizations, boards, committees, etc. you serve on: n/a
Marital status: married to Jerry Bedgood
Children: two
1. Why are you running for this seat?
I want to be a part of something great. I feel that I would do the job well and be fair. I also see a decline in the housing market and realize that property values have gone down a bit. I would be fair and adjust accordingly. It makes sense that if the value of your home has gone down then your property tax should follow. We haven’t seen that.
2. What do Clay County’s residents need most from their assessor?
Clay County needs someone to stand up and do what’s right and fair.
Due to our current economy, when people sell their homes, they find that they aren’t getting what they thought their home was worth. It’s not uncommon for people to have their homes on the market for months and finally sell when they drop the asking price. Property taxes keep going up. Can you help but question why are the taxes going up while the property value is going down? If I’m elected, I’m going to get started immediately by checking into the assessed values and adjust them accordingly to current conditions.
3. What do you think are the three major issues facing the county? Where do you stand on these issues?
I think Clay County overall is a great place. We’ve got great schools, parks and shopping centers.
But with a growing community there are a lot of streets that need to be widened or repaired. Missouri Highway 291 from 96th Street to Stark, for example, needs to be widened. There have been many accidents in that stretch of highway due to more traffic and no turn lane. Again, property taxes.
With some areas the prices have gone down while the property taxes go up. That doesn’t make much sense to me. If the value goes down, the taxes should follow. We’re not seeing that.
4. What is your view of the county’s current direction?
Clay County is a desirable place to live. Everything is very convenient as far as location. We have a growing population. Families want to bring the children up in great areas with great schools, fortunately we provide these things.
5. Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
n/a
Michael “Mike” Ebenroth
Office you are seeking: Clay County assessor
Address and length of residency: has lived in Kearney for six years
Birthday: June 14, 1951
Occupation: real estate agent with Reece & Nichols Realtors, Excelsior Springs
Education: associate degree from Triton College, River Grove Ill., and graduate of the Realtor Institute
Public offices you have held: Excelsior Springs City Council, including one year as mayor (1992-1996)
Organizations, boards, committees, etc. you serve on: director, Missouri Association of Realtors; secretary/treasurer, Kansas City Chiefs Redcoaters; co-chair Excelsior Springs Community 2000 SAFE Committee
Marital status: married to Darla
Children: three
1. Why are you running for this seat?
I am running for Clay County assessor to bring my 23 years of business experience to the assessor’s office to insure that the office is run as efficiently and smoothly as possible. I will strive to make sure that all citizens and employees are treated as fairly as possible thereby eliminating potential lawsuits against this office. I will also use my real estate experience and my knowledge of land values to see that all properties are assessed fair and accurate, especially in today’s market place.
2. What do Clay County’s residents need most from their assessor?
Clay County residents, first of all need an assessor who is approachable to discuss any real or personal property questions. They also need an assessor who is fair and accurate in dealing with assessments. They should also expect the office to be run in a businesslike and professional manner. And lastly, the assessor should be open to any discussion regarding assessed values and seek a solution in order to avoid costly lawsuits.”
3. What do you think are the three major issues facing the county? Where do you stand on these issues?
Taxes. As the assessor it’s my job to make sure that both personal and real property taxes are assessed fairly and accurately.
Budget. The county needs to balance the needs of its citizens and make sure the expenses are in line with the income generated yet provide the necessary services with out always increasing taxes.
Affordable housing. There needs to be more affordable housing available, which in turn will attract more businesses which lead to more jobs.
4. What is your view of the county’s current direction?
Clay County is a growing community of over 200,000 population and we need to make sure we continue to be aggressive enough and progressive enough to meet the needs of all of our citizens.
5. Is there anything else you would like to add about your candidacy?
I feel that my 23 years of business experience and my eight-plus years as a Realtor make me the best assessor candidate for Clay County.