Editor’s note: Candidates in contested races for judge-executive, county clerk, circuit clerk, commonwealth’s attorneys, city commission or council, mayor, jailer, sheriff and state representatives throughout the region were sent election questionnaires.

Many also were contacted by telephone or e-mail and a notice placed in the Daily News as a reminder to send the questionnaires back to us.

The Daily News is publishing what those who responded had to say.

While state representative candidates were asked more specific questions, other candidates were asked: In 300 words or less, state why you are running for this position and what do you think are the critical issues in your race?

Butler County

Morgantown City Council

Jerry &#8220Shack” Cannon

Office seeking: Morgantown City Council.

Family: Grandparents Rayburn and Gertrude Pierson raised him; two sons, Eddie and Justin Cannon.

DOB: 9-21-56.

Education: High school graduate

Occupation: Retired 911 dispatcher

I was born and raised in Morgantown, so it is very dear to me. I would like to try to help in the restoration of our city. We need jobs desperately because we are lacking an avenue for a lot of upgrades in our community. The people here need work for their families to try to live a comfortable life, which we all deserve.

I have been a 911 dispatcher in Butler County for 27 years and I know lots of problem areas.

I have always talked to people, so I’m used to that and listen to their concerns. And I want to try to make a difference. I think this is what I bring to the table.

There is a lot of disarray in our city government right now, which makes us unattractive to industry, I think, and this needs to stop. Most people I talk to want change, and we need it more now than ever.

I’d like to see improvements in the area for the young and elderly as well as something for the young people to do, and we need sidewalk improvements citywide. But the No. 1 concern is jobs and to have people accountable for what goes on here and where money is spent or wasted, as the case may be.

Terrell House

Office: City council.

DOB: 05-21-61.

Family: Wife, Ramona.

Education: Butler County High School graduate

Occupation: He and his wife own and operate Parkway Cars and Tires, Green River Lodge and have rental homes.

I decided to seek a city council seat after being approached by several individuals, for which I was honored.

I feel we need to take our time and make sensible business decisions based on what is best for Morgantown, not based on politics.

Industry should be one of our top priorities – not only new ones, but supporting the ones we already have. I would like to see us be more aggressive going after grants. We are missing out on so many by not being in touch with the right offices to see what’s available. I realize that being a city council member is a voice for the people, keeping them in touch with the upcoming issues.

I’m not a politician, but a family man with business in Morgantown, giving me a vested interest in our town prospering into the future. I will do my very best.

Linda Keown

Office seeking: Morgantown City Council.

Family: Husband, Bobby Keown; two daughters, Latisha Cardwell (school librarian) and her husband, Mike, and Leah Peerce, and her husband, James; grandchildren Colten and Isaac Cardwell; and Samantha, Avery and Riden Peerce.

DOB: 5-16-50.

Education: Rank 1 in school administration.

Occupation: Taught for 22 years in Butler County Schools; was an assistant principal at Morgantown Elementary for five years. After retirement taught English and writing schools to students at Daymar Learning Center (where most students are from the closed Sumitomo Plant); Morgantown city councilwoman.

Having been a public servant most of my life as a teacher, an administrator and presently a councilwoman, I have acquired skills and experience beneficial in working with the public and dealing with city government issues. My job in the educational field required strategic planning, goal-setting and working with the public. I chaired committees and attended several hours of leadership training, including training in the Kentucky Leadership Academy.

Training in the Sunshine Laws has also been very helpful in my understanding that the formation of public policy is public business. When the public’s tax dollar is involved, the public has a voice in the way that dollar is spent. If the public is involved, they feel that someone is listening and that their ideas are important. This promotes better public relations.

The most critical issue that Morgantown is facing is a lack of job opportunities. We are in a great location and possess a work force that’s ready to go to work. We need the industry, and the citizens need jobs.

Many are going elsewhere to work. And even those who are finding jobs in places such as Bowling Green are struggling to afford transportation and child-care costs.

Morgantown now has the Butler County Area Technical Center located in our industrial park. We hope the training center will help entice industry and businesses to come to our city and county.

As an incumbent, I will continue to be a voice for the people, and I will diligently work to try to attract industry.

Ricky Romans

Office seeking: Morgantown City Council

Family: Wife, Kay Romans (works at PBI Bank), children, Hillary, Allie and Mitch.

DOB: 8-25-67

Education: Some college

Occupation: Car sales

My first priority is to try to get some new factories and businesses in our community, to create jobs and help our economy grow.

I’m not going to argue and have conflict with others on the council; we need to get along. We can still disagree with others in a manner that reflects good self character. Our actions reflect on our community and our people.

I want to work with others to build a clean and safe environment so everyone can enjoy a great quality of life and place to live.

I would like to get more people involved with the council by communicating with citizens, groups, the school system and others. I want communication with everyone. Lack of communication is usually the problem.

I would like to check on grant money to build more things at the park for entertainment and use for everyone. A community building with indoor facilities would be nice.

When it comes to politics, I’m not on anyone’s side but yours: the voters and citizens of Morgantown. I have always lived here, except when I served in the United States Air Force, and I don’t want to live anywhere else. Let’s make a difference together. I am asking for your vote and support for Morgantown.

Judge-executive

Hugh C. Evans

Office seeking: Judge-executive (Democrat).

Family: wife, Mary &#8220Toppie” Evans; children, Linda Staples, Lisa Goldsmith, Bobby Evans, Greg Evans and Shannon Evans.

DOB: 3-5-37.

Education: High school graduate

Occupation: Butler County judge-executive.

It has been an honor to serve as Butler County judge-executive for the past six years. I am seeking re-election for this office again.

Butler County, like much of Kentucky and the United States, has faced serious economic challenges in the last few years. With sound and careful fiscal management, we have maintained and improved our roads and bridges, extended our water lines, thereby improving fire protection for most of the county, and continued to provide necessary services to our citizens, all without increasing taxes. Our real estate taxes have actually decreased.

The most critical issues for Butler County are economic development and industrial recruitment. We need manufacturing jobs. I have worked very hard, in cooperation with the City of Morgantown, Butler County Chamber of Commerce, Barren River Area Development District, Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet, InterModal Transportation Authority, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, State Sen. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, and State Rep. C.B. Embry, R-Morgantown, to recruit industry. An area real estate company owns an industrial building in Morgantown, and they are actively recruiting with us. One small company has opened here with 30-35 jobs and another will be joining them this month with plans for these companies to provide 150 jobs. They will manufacture parts for Toyota. Two local companies have expanded and added approximately 75 new jobs. A company we have worked with for more than a year is close to finalizing its financing. They plan to have 500 jobs within three years. We will continue to aggressively recruit, and as the economy improves, are confident we will succeed.

I have served with honesty and integrity. My door has been open to everyone. If re-elected, I will continue these policies and do my very best for Butler County.

David Fields

Office seeking: Judge-executive (Republican)

Family: Wife, Virginia; son Greg and daughter-in-law Michelle; granddaughters, Ashton and Sierra

DOB: 12-21-44

Education: Butler County High School graduate, Bowling Green Technical School

Occupation: Fields’ Auto Body Inc.

I believe a change in leadership is needed in Butler County. We’ve lost hundreds of industrial jobs, our unemployment rate has increased, and the local economy has suffered the last several years. With 31 years of business and management experience, I can provide effective leadership to move our county forward.

My campaign is focusing on two main themes: better cooperation and communication between county government and its citizens, and improving the way the county attracts industry and promotes small businesses.

I would like to see fiscal court change its monthly meeting time to better accommodate working people. Currently, the court meets on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. I propose an evening meeting time so that most people won’t have to take off work to attend. The current meeting time sends the wrong message to people and discourages them from getting more involved in the affairs of government.

I plan to create a citizens’ advisory panel to assist county government. This volunteer panel would be composed of Butler County residents from across the political and professional spectrum. The group would engage in long-term strategic planning, brainstorming, research, and other tasks as defined by fiscal court. Of the 15 members on the panel, 14 would be appointed by organizations and groups in the community, not by the judge-executive. The panel will function as an advisory group only and will have no decision-making role. I want to see more people – Democrats and Republicans – involved with their county government.

I also believe more can be done to recruit industry and promote local businesses. A strong relationship between county government and other public agencies, as well as closer ties with regional, state and national leaders, must exist. We need a greater presence on the Internet and must do a better job of marketing our county. We must work together locally and rise above our political differences to put Butler County first.

I also propose a package of tax incentives for local businesses that add employees or expand operations in the county. Small businesses are vital to our economy and county government should look for ways to help them.

Morgantown mayor

Eva J. Hawes

Office seeking: Mayor of Morgantown.

Family: Married to Kenneth Hawes; two children, Laura Smith and Robert Tuck; three stepchildren, Shelly Knopf, Aimee Henderson and Sam Hawes.

DOB: 7-3-47.

Education: High school.

Occupation: Self-employed in microfilm business.

I am running to give the voters of Morgantown a choice at the polls. As mayor, I will bring positive and progressive leadership for the citizens of Morgantown. There is a lack of communication between the mayor and council; if I’m elected that will stop. I will keep the council informed. The mayor and council must work together as partners in moving our city forward. Industry, recruitment and jobs are important to the future of Morgantown. As mayor I plan to aggressively pursue both.

As a council member, I took the lead in drawing up the municipal order that guaranteed citizens in Morgantown 24-7 police coverage. The mayor resisted this move and only came on board when he realized the council was getting ready to act. Citizens and the business community were demanding police protection and we provided it.

I was one of the council members who stood against the mayor when he attempted to give away the Sumitomo (SEWS) building to the two Chinese gentlemen (EPIC) without any assurances of jobs. The leadership of the council in keeping the SEWS building in city hands has proven beneficial since Morgantown is now in the process of recruiting an industry to locate in the former SEWS building – one that has the potential of providing numerous jobs. If we hadn’t stood our ground and fought to keep the SEWS building, then Morgantown would not be in the running to land this important industry. Competitive bidding for city business will be a priority, ultimately leading to lower costs to taxpayers.

To involve more people in city government I propose &#8220Coffee with the Council,” an informal session to give people a chance to voice their concerns to city leaders.

I promise to make city government more citizen friendly and approachable. It is time for change!