Troy Tabor for Andover City Council

The Wichita Eagle sent out a survey to those running in this election, and below are my responses.

Why are you running?
Andover is a wonderful community with amazing people and good businesses. My family moved here because of the community, the schools, and the safety of being a "bit" outside of Wichita. I'm experienced in business, community involvement, and political discussion, and know that Andover will be better with myself in the city council, and I'm eager to put my time, energy, experience and foresight into making it so.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What in your background most prepares you to serve?
I see a need for a young, entrepreneurial mind with conservative values. We already have several members from previous generations on the council, but we lack a younger member that isn't set in the old ways, just going through the motions. I bring flexibility, accountability, conservatism, an entrepreneurial attitude, and especially better communication to the community and city. I am also a technology expert, which we don't have on the council, who will bring accountability to the hundreds of thousands of dollars a year spent on technology.
What is the biggest issue facing your city, and what would you do to address it? Please be specific.
Tax. After speaking with many residents and businesses, taxes are the number one concern. Both feel that it wasn't fair that the city gave them no option to hold off on building the new City Hall instead of raises taxes, again, and businesses are especially furious because we now have one of the highest sales tax rates in the state. We should be focusing on bringing new residences and businesses to the city to create a larger tax pool instead of bleeding all of us dry to pay for the councils projects.
What are your top three budget priorities, in order, and where should the money come from?
Schools, safety, beauty. Two major reasons people move to Andover are it's first class school system, and its beauty. When you drive down Andover road, everything just feels right. The streets are safe and clean, the businesses look inviting and professional, and the beautiful homes and trees make you want to live here. This is why I moved here, and this is what we want our city to maintain. The budget should come from existing taxes, Greater Andover Days, and other "benefit" promotions for specific needs, such as park equipment or trees.
What other priorities would you have, and how would you address them?
I intend on focusing on accountability in our use of tax money, creating better communication with our residences and businesses through existing technologies, and mending our broken relationships with the Andover Chamber of Commerce and the School Board. When we work together, share a common vision for the future our city, and realize that we are but stewards of the people of Andover, we can begin to spend more wisely, communicate more effectively, and be truly accountable to our residents and each other. Without these things, we fail.
What is the worst decision the City Council made in 2010? Why do you feel it was the wrong move and what would you have done differently?
Raising the taxes to cover the cost of the new City Hall, not because it wasn't a good deal as far as price, but because we have taken money out of peoples hands at the worst time possible, and made it more difficult for people and businesses to move to, and do business with Andover. This seems more like a liberal move than a conservative one. A close second would be the debacle with the trash and recycling services. There are ways to raise money for projects besides simply raising taxes. Grants, city fund raisers, and volunteers to name a few.
Name someone who is relatively famous, who you admire, and explain why you admire them.
Mother Theresa is one of the few people in the world who have ever realized the power of humility. By giving up everything, and giving her life over 100% to follow Jesus Christ's teachings in helping the poor, the outcasts, the sick, the dirty, and the hungry, she surely is a true disciple of Christ, and will be forever an inspiration for everyone, Christian or not. I read her autobiography, as should everyone, and whenever I feel I'm doing good, I think of her and realize there is so much more I can do, and her story keeps me humble.
Please state your position on open records, meetings and openness and transparency in government.
I firmly believe that transparency in government is key to accountability and integrity. There are certain times when things are not disclosed due to safety reasons, but the discussions and actions the government takes dealing with money, laws, personnel, and deals should be 100% open to the public, and easily available in a timely fashion. The government is hired by the people, and everything, barring safety concerns, should be available to read, hear and view. The ultimate way to keep officials honest and fair is the fear of someone knowing.
Have you ever been convicted of a crime? If so, what and when? Do you believe that affects your ability to lead?
No.

What's on your mind? Name: Email: Comments or Suggestions:
The Wichita Eagle sent out a survey to those running in this election, and below are my responses. Why are you running? Andover is a wonderful community with amazing people and good businesses. My family moved here because of the community, the schools, and the safety of being a "bit" outside of Wichita. I'm experienced in business, community involvement, and political discussion, and know that Andover will be better with myself in the city council, and I'm eager to put my time, energy, experience and foresight into making it so. Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What in your background most prepares you to serve? I see a need for a young, entrepreneurial mind with conservative values. We already have several members from previous generations on the council, but we lack a younger member that isn't set in the old ways, just going through the motions. I bring flexibility, accountability, conservatism, an entrepreneurial attitude, and especially better communication to the community and city. I am also a technology expert, which we don't have on the council, who will bring accountability to the hundreds of thousands of dollars a year spent on technology. What is the biggest issue facing your city, and what would you do to address it? Please be specific. Tax. After speaking with many residents and businesses, taxes are the number one concern. Both feel that it wasn't fair that the city gave them no option to hold off on building the new City Hall instead of raises taxes, again, and businesses are especially furious because we now have one of the highest sales tax rates in the state. We should be focusing on bringing new residences and businesses to the city to create a larger tax pool instead of bleeding all of us dry to pay for the councils projects. What are your top three budget priorities, in order, and where should the money come from? Schools, safety, beauty. Two major reasons people move to Andover are it's first class school system, and its beauty. When you drive down Andover road, everything just feels right. The streets are safe and clean, the businesses look inviting and professional, and the beautiful homes and trees make you want to live here. This is why I moved here, and this is what we want our city to maintain. The budget should come from existing taxes, Greater Andover Days, and other "benefit" promotions for specific needs, such as park equipment or trees. What other priorities would you have, and how would you address them? I intend on focusing on accountability in our use of tax money, creating better communication with our residences and businesses through existing technologies, and mending our broken relationships with the Andover Chamber of Commerce and the School Board. When we work together, share a common vision for the future our city, and realize that we are but stewards of the people of Andover, we can begin to spend more wisely, communicate more effectively, and be truly accountable to our residents and each other. Without these things, we fail. What is the worst decision the City Council made in 2010? Why do you feel it was the wrong move and what would you have done differently? Raising the taxes to cover the cost of the new City Hall, not because it wasn't a good deal as far as price, but because we have taken money out of peoples hands at the worst time possible, and made it more difficult for people and businesses to move to, and do business with Andover. This seems more like a liberal move than a conservative one. A close second would be the debacle with the trash and recycling services. There are ways to raise money for projects besides simply raising taxes. Grants, city fund raisers, and volunteers to name a few. Name someone who is relatively famous, who you admire, and explain why you admire them. Mother Theresa is one of the few people in the world who have ever realized the power of humility. By giving up everything, and giving her life over 100% to follow Jesus Christ's teachings in helping the poor, the outcasts, the sick, the dirty, and the hungry, she surely is a true disciple of Christ, and will be forever an inspiration for everyone, Christian or not. I read her autobiography, as should everyone, and whenever I feel I'm doing good, I think of her and realize there is so much more I can do, and her story keeps me humble. Please state your position on open records, meetings and openness and transparency in government. I firmly believe that transparency in government is key to accountability and integrity. There are certain times when things are not disclosed due to safety reasons, but the discussions and actions the government takes dealing with money, laws, personnel, and deals should be 100% open to the public, and easily available in a timely fashion. The government is hired by the people, and everything, barring safety concerns, should be available to read, hear and view. The ultimate way to keep officials honest and fair is the fear of someone knowing. Have you ever been convicted of a crime? If so, what and when? Do you believe that affects your ability to lead? No.