Editor’s note: Candidates for contested races for judge-executive, county clerk, circuit clerk, commonwealth’s attorneys city commission or council, mayoral races, 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?

State representative

Stephen R. Nunn

Office seeking: Re-election to state representative 23rd District (Republican)

DOB: 11-4-52

Three children: Mary, Robert, and Courtney

Education: University of Louisville, School of Law

Occupation: State representative, physician recruiter for T.J. Samson Hospital

What are the most critical issues in the state?

Having served in the legislature for 16 years now, many of the areas of pressing need are the same as when I began.

Education is the most important issue the legislature deals with. Adequate funding and continuing our improvements in curriculum and test scores is always a top priority.

Health care continues to be a major concern for business, industry, families and individuals.

Continuing to attract new businesses and industry into the state with better-paying jobs is an area that is important for economic development and the working family.

The improvement of our road system, airports and infrastructures are always critical for economic development and tourism.

My advocacy for public education is strong, and I support better funding for elementary, secondary and postsecondary institutions. I take my cue on education from the educators. In health care, I serve on the most important legislative committees dealing with this issue, including the Health and Welfare Committee, Appropriations and Revenue Committee, State Government Committee, TeleHealth Board, and the E-Health Board. We are working hard to improve access and to control the costs of health care and health insurance. In jobs and economic development, I continue to support the initiatives of the Cabinet as they relate to the incentive packages we currently offer, and I’d like to see more flexibility within those economic development programs. I think we are doing well with our road projects in our part of the state, and I support the southcentral Kentucky transportation projects.

One of the most important jobs as a legislator is constituent services. I pride myself in being responsive to people who call on me for help or with questions. I work very hard at listening to their problems and concerns and working to find solutions. My knowing the people and the agencies in Frankfort is of great benefit when working for others’ needs. I’ve shown a commitment to my district and the commonwealth, and I have tried to always show how much I care.

There are over 7,000 children in the custody of the state, and we need more foster families and adoptive families to provide the loving homes these kids deserve. We still have thousands of people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities on a waiting list for services, and they deserve help and support. I’ve worked hard to be a champion for their cause.

How much the 2007 general assembly can accomplish, given the past year of controversy concerning the state’s governor?

I believe the 2007 Regular Session of the General Assembly, which will be a short, 30-day session, will be fairly routine and amicable. Since we successfully passed a budget in the 2006 session, most of the &#8220heavy lifting” is done for this biennium. I expect there will be relatively little change in leadership positions, so we will be focusing on important pieces of legislation members will offer. However, I don’t see anything on the horizon that should cause great consternation. With the governor’s controversy behind us, I’m hopeful the legislative and executive branches will have a smooth working relationship.

What are some of the most pressing projects or legislation for your district you would like to see approved by the general assembly?

For southcentral Kentucky I believe some of the most pressing issues will revolve around creating new, well-paying jobs with health benefits. Many of the counties in southcentral Kentucky have been hit hard with industries leaving the country, resulting in too many displaced workers without decent jobs. As with the rest of Kentucky, and America for that matter, health care issues must be addressed in Washington, since the states cannot singularly remedy failures and flaws of the current health care system. When will Washington wake up? In my legislative area, I have two school districts that badly need a better way of funding new school buildings, and I plan to work to help them adequately meet their needs.

Commonwealth’s attorney

Karen Davis

Office seeking: Re-election as commonwealth’s attorney for Barren and Metcalfe (Democrat)

Family: Husband, David Davis; children, Rachel (age 10), and Harrison (age 5)

DOB: 12-2-66

Education: Kentucky State University graduate magna cum laude; juris doctor from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University.

Occupation: Commonwealth’s attorney, 43rd Judicial Circuit (Barren and Metcalfe counties)

Illegal drug activity continues to be our communities’ most significant problem. I routinely speak to civic, school and government organizations to provide education on this subject. As a charter board member of the Drug Task Force, I am personally involved in assisting the DTF and other law enforcement agencies in reducing the drug element in our area. I will continue my efforts in expanding the DTF to Metcalfe County, as crime does not recognize geographical boundaries. I am also a principal participant in the Barren/Metcalfe County Drug Court program, which uses a strict rehabilitative component for combating the drug problem. I strongly oppose the release of drug traffickers and regularly seek long-term incarceration for those individuals who pose a threat to our safety.

My experience in criminal justice is lengthy and varied. I witnessed many trials during my tenure with the Kentucky Supreme Court and have been able to utilize many of those trial tactics during my own courtroom experiences. I served as assistant Barren County attorney, handling district court and juvenile court, and as assistant commonwealth’s attorney, specializing in sexual abuse cases and drug cases.

I have displayed a strong work ethic during my seven years of prosecutorial service – being on the job for the people of Barren and Metcalfe counties – viewing crime scenes, visiting victims at the hospital, and assisting law enforcement with drug roundups, search warrants, sealed indictments and subpoenas for records.

Since 2002, as your commonwealth’s attorney, I have established a proven record with a 90 percent conviction rate in over 3,000 felony cases. I have secured convictions, both by plea and by jury, for drug traffickers, child molesters and murderers in both Barren and Metcalfe counties. Such experience in criminal prosecution is invaluable in the quest for justice – and is unmatched by my opponent.

Bobby Norris

Office seeking: Commonwealth’s attorney for Barren and Metcalfe (Republican)

Family: Married

DOB: 8-19-72

Education: law degree from the University of Kentucky

Occupation: assistant Barren County Attorney

There are several critical issues detracting from the overall effectiveness and professionalism of the office. The level of cooperation (teamwork mentality, communication, etc.) offered by the incumbent administration to others in the criminal justice system, namely law enforcement officers, is insufficient. I have in excess of seven years experience as a prosecutor, and I do a better job of cooperating with law enforcement officers – ask them – and will continue doing so in the role of the commonwealth’s attorney.

Another important issue is the high turnover rate among assistant prosecutors and support staff in the incumbent administration. This indicates deficient ability in terms of hiring practices and/or management style. I will examine both in an effort to try and reduce turnover.

The low number of cases personally tried by the incumbent elected commonwealth’s attorney is another issue. This is true for both counties, but more starkly so for Metcalfe County. When the elected commonwealth’s attorney tries so few cases, it just seems to signify that our criminal trials are not important anymore. That’s not an appropriate message to be sending potential wrongdoers. Thus, if elected, you will see me personally trying more cases, in both counties.

As a colleague in the criminal justice system, I’ve had an inherent awareness that the effectiveness and professionalism has been below par in the incumbent administration. Law enforcement officers I work with on a regular basis began urging me to run and detailing how they are detrimentally impacted by the incumbent administration. Thus, I’m running for commonwealth’s attorney to take measures, as outlined above, to restore effectiveness and professionalism to the traditional level Barren and Metcalfe countians have known in prior administrations, and to replace politics with integrity and prudence in prosecutorial decision-making, particularly as gatekeeper of the criminal justice system.

Glasgow mayor

David Williams

Office seeking: Glasgow mayor

(no other information provided)

If elected, Williams has the following proposals:

Limit police cars to 10; have one chief, one assistant chief and 30 officers; move the police station off Broadway to West Main – the current water company building. Rent the movie &#8220General George Patton” to see how the City of Glasgow should be run.

Move water company from West Main to 302 Front St.; do away with motor pool of vehicles except two or three to turn water off and on to businesses and residential; have one pickup truck, one dump trailer, one backhoe, three small trucks. Hire private contractors to read the water meters, as the electric plant board does, and move bill-paying to Glasgow EPB location.

Williams also wants to: do away with city garbage pickup and contract this out to a private carrier; no bonds required for work in city up to $300,000; keep 911 center on Broadway; keep street department on Front Street. Plaza Theatre should be in the black by Jan. 1, 2008, and if not, should be sold to the highest bidder so taxpayers don’t have to foot the bill.

Williams also wants to do away with the 1.5 percent occupational tax and cut property taxes 5 to 10 percent across the board.

County judge-executive

Davie Greer

Office seeking: Re-election as Barren County judge-executive (Republican)

Family: Jerry, husband; two daughters, Julie Edwards and Cathy Doty, and four grandchildren

DOB: 4-20-39

Education: One year business school

I have been actively involved in all aspects of county government, and have been on the job full-time, available to the citizens of Barren County.

I am active in the community events, a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, a member of Glasgow Business and Professional Women’s Club, Safe Kids, Extension District, and many more areas.

One term is not enough to get some important projects completed. However, my accomplishments include the establishment of the Drug Task Force, completion of the Barren County Little League Football Field, opening of the Soccer Complex, establishment of the Barren County Cemetery Board, established full-time Emergency Management Director and Assistants, and a full-time employed Building and Electrical Inspector.

Continued goals include securing funds for placement of an ambulance at the airport to better serve the Cave City and Park City areas, chip-sealing projects for remaining gravel county roads, bridge projects for low water fords, possible increase of pavement width along county roads from 14 feet to 18 feet, and continuance of important programs including the drug task force, extension district projects and cleanup of our county roadways, along with a program to help landowners with the removal of abandoned mobile homes.

I earnestly and sincerely request your continued vote and support as I work with the magistrates for a progressive and fiscally sound place to entice new industry, and for Barren County to continue to be one of the best places in Kentucky for families to raise children and retire in a safe and healthy environment.

Dr. Chris Steward, R.N., D.M.D.

Office seeking: Barren County judge-executive (Independent)

Family: Married with four children and three grandchildren

DOB: 8-13-52

Education: Doctorate, currently enrolled at Vanderbilt in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Occupation: Farmer, dentist, nurse, professor, magistrate

My opponent is a good, decent and honorable person, but we simply disagree on our approaches to taxation. She has been in office for four years, and in the three non-election years she voted to raise taxes. With only 60 days left in the election, she suddenly decided that a tax decrease would be something good to hand &#8220down” to the people. Her record in non-election years regarding taxes is very clear. On Feb. 22, 2004, in the Bowling Green Daily News, she stated: &#8220Passing a gas-tax increase now could help matters immensely. I know no one in Frankfort wants to raise taxes, but they could at least raise the gas tax to be competitive with Indiana and Tennessee.” On May 1, 2004, she stated in the same paper, &#8220Barren County doesn’t have an occupational tax, but Glasgow does. The only ways the county can deal with the rising costs are to cut services or raise taxes on property, automobiles and intangibles.”

I will steadfastly resist any efforts to increase or advocate for new taxes.

My opponent is advocating a new jail, which I oppose. I contend that we should take care of Barren County inmates unless we can get a long-term assurance from the state or federal government that will ensure the funding of the new jail.

During my opponent’s watch as county judge-executive, the Eastern Kentucky Power Company sought and gained approval for an eight-mile power line project that will have a devastating environmental and agricultural impact on the citizens of Barren County. I will fight such entities that try to harm our environment and agricultural base.

In the last four years we have lost five manufacturing facilities or companies and gained zero, and have had a net gain of 77 jobs in the entire county. We simply can do better.

County jailer

Leland Cox

Office seeking: Re-election to jailer (Democrat)

DOB: 5-29-50

Family: Wife, Debbie Church Cox; daughter Nikki and son-in-law Chad Poland; grandson Lane

Education: 11/2 years of college

As the elected jailer of Barren County, the most important issues I face daily are maintaining an outdated and worn-out facility. To do this and to keep a safe and secure facility for this community are always on my mind. These things can not be accomplished without the help of a trained and dedicated staff, which I have been blessed with.

I dedicated my life to public service 16 years ago. I served as a deputy sheriff for 13 years under Sheriff Barney Jones. What leadership qualities I possess, I attribute to his excellent example before me. I have served as jailer for the past three years. The education and experience that I have received in this period has been eye opening. The rewards have been great, but so are the responsibilities and challenges.

In the three years as jailer, we have implemented a garden which is maintained and consumed by the inmates; a female road crew, to help keep the roadsides clean; and cleaning of the county building. Our male workers are now mowing at the courthouse, and double security has been installed at the front entrance.

We are preparing on-site instructors for continuous education of staff, along with the implementation of a reward system for the inmates for their accomplishments, such as obtaining their GED while incarcerated.

I have a vision and a mission to fulfill as jailer of Barren County. I would appreciate your vote and support.

Robert Wing

Office seeking: Barren County jailer (Republican)

(no other information provided)

My name is Robert Wing and I’m working to become your next jailer.

There are currently too many problems at this jail. Right now, you are paying people to manage and maintain the jail, and they have failed you. Yet you are forced to continue to pay for a inefficient, ineffective, failed jail system.

I don’t condone what inmates have done to be incarcerated, but it isn’t my place to pass judgment, only to maintain a safe and humane environment for staff and inmates. When I worked in a maximum-security prison, we had a saying: &#8220The inmates are here as punishment, not for punishment.”

I stand for extensive employee training, with an emphasis placed on employees’ morals and ethics.

If you want changes at this jail – and changes are needed – elect me as your new jailer.

I have 11 years experience with certifications for the following: U.S. Army (Military Police/Detective); Florida State Correctional Officer (Maximum Security Prison); Winter Haven Police Department as patrolman, Riot Task Force, traffic, homicide investigator; Glasgow Police Department as patrolman; Barren County Jail as deputy jailer (four months). Other training and certifications include upholstery, industrial electrician and carpentry.

The above experience, along with having my own business for 13 years and the skills needed for that management, gives me the experience to excel at providing the public a much-needed, dedicated jailer.

Magistrate

Howard Bowman Jr.

Office seeking: Magistrate District No. 5 (Republican)

Family: Wife, Dianne Bowman; son, Jason Bowman; daughter, Stephanie Payne; stepdaughter, Brooke Chase

DOB: 1-9-49

Education: 31/2 years of college in business administration

Occupation: Electrician

The last four years as magistrate of the 5th District of Barren County have been a rewarding and learning experience. I envisioned roads as the main issue and I still contend it is very important to maintain our infrastructure, but there are so many things we can do as county officials to ensure the quality and well-being of the citizens of Barren County.

Some of the issues we face are balancing the budget without raising taxes, cutting health care costs for our employees, a jail that’s in need, and roads.

Each year, the cost of goods and services go up and we in Barren County have been very fortunate with increased growth, therefore keeping taxes down.

Health care costs have gone through the roof over the past few years, and we work hard to lessen the burden on the employee and at the same time try to minimize the cost increase.

The county jail is a big issue. Some people want to continue to repair what we’ve got, some want a new jail, some want a regional jail and some are hoping the state will take it over. Don’t hold your breath on that last one. At some point in time we will have to take a very serious look and make some decisions.

Last in my list, but certainly not least, are roads. Having good roads are a priority of mine and I will do my best to maintain and upgrade them in the 5th District. My goal is to have every county road in my district at least 18 feet wide, chip-sealed or blacktopped – no gravel roads.

Owning and operating a business for over 30 years has developed qualities in me such as being a problem solver, open-minded and a good listener. I think these attributes are some of the ingredients it takes to deal with the issues this office faces.

Glasgow City Council

Jesse R. Brown

Office seeking: Re-election to Glasgow City Council

Family: Wife, Bernice; two children and six grandchildren

DOB: 4-20-40

Education: Master’s degree from Western Kentucky University

Occupation: Retired high school history teacher and a part-time history instructor at WKU-Glasgow.

As a social studies teacher, I constantly reminded my students that citizenship carried responsibilities. It was a desire to meet my civic responsibilities that motivated me to seek election to the Glasgow City Council. I am running for re-election in order to continue that civic service.

I believe maintaining safety and a good quality of life are always important goals in any community. Quality of life depends on good job opportunities, which means attracting and maintaining employment opportunities is always an important function of municipal government.

I would favor establishing an event center of some type in the downtown area of Glasgow if it could be realized without placing a financial burden on the citizens of the city. I feel such a center should be close enough to be used in conjunction with the beautifully renovated Plaza Theatre and the South Central Cultural Center.

Glasgow is a great place to live and rear a family, and I want to do my part to keep it that way.

Doug Isenberg

Office seeking: Re-election to Glasgow City Council

Family: Wife of 48 years; two children

DOB: 4-24-38

Education: High school; 15 hours in real estate and banking at Western Kentucky University

Occupation: Semi-retired Realtor

My first priority as a council member has been and will continue to be directed toward improving the quality of life for our citizens. I use this principle as a guide when making decisions on any issue and I see no critical issue confronting city government for the short term.

Jim Marion

Office seeking: Re-election to Glasgow City Council

Family: Wife, Debbie; daughters, Jamie, Jill; son-in-law, Trooper Jonathan Biven; granddaughter, Marion.

DOB: 9-25-49

Education: Bachelor of science and master of arts, rank 1 from Western Kentucky University

Occupation: Insurance agent at Pedigo Lessenberry Insurance Agency

As a 23-year incumbent, I feel my experience and leadership are assets as economic times continue to tighten. By chairing the Finance and Administrative Committee, I am able to oversee a multimillion-dollar budget that offers the citizens of Glasgow numerous services with ongoing growth and prosperity. Critical issues include, but are not limited to: Developing new jobs, upkeep of our infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, etc.), and constant improvements to all city departments (police, fire, recreation, street and sanitation, water and sewer).