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2010-02-09

2010-01-19

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Monday, March 30, 2009 11:42 AM

Pomona candidates pack ballot

By JENALEA MYERS, Herald Staff Writer

POMONA — When the April 7 election is over, Pomona residents could have a new mayor and up to two new council members — or the council could remain as it is now.

Mayor Richard Adler is being challenged by newcomer Joann Hancock, while council incumbents Marie Seneca and Don Lockaby will defend their two open seats against Bill Lloyd Sr., Joe Goracke and Lawrence “Larry” Case.

Richard Adler

Before serving a term as mayor, Adler served 12 years on the Pomona City Council.

He said projects under way like street renovation motivated him to run for re-election.

“We’ve got some things in the works that I’d like to see to a conclusion,” he said.

Adler, the director of transportation and maintenance for the West Franklin School District, said like most cities, finances and budgets will be challenges in the coming years.

“Everything is going to rise in cost, and we’ll do the best we can for our city,” he said.

Adler has lived in Pomona since 1981 and also is active in the Lions Club, serving as secretary/treasurer.

“I’ve enjoyed living here,” he said. “I like the town and kind of want to keep it growing and keep it around for our kids.”

Joann Hancock

If elected, Hancock said she’d work toward more openness and honesty on the council.

“I would return a phone call,” she said. “If people ask me a question and I don’t know the answer, I’d try to find it out.”

Hancock, who moved to Pomona in 1981, served on the West Franklin School Board from 1984 to 1988. Her husband, Rex, ran unsuccessfully for mayor against Adler in 2007.

“I’d like to see more growth in a constructive way,” she said.

Hancock said she became interested in running for mayor after attending city council meetings. She said she doesn’t approve of how the council has treated some Pomona residents.

“I want to work for our town and serve the people elected,” she said. “We serve the people; the people don’t serve us.”

Hancock is active in Habitat for Humanity and has owned her own business, Weddings and More, since 1990.

“Whether I win or not, I’ll still be involved,” she said.

Don Lockaby

A special education bus driver, Lockaby is seeking his third term on the city council.

“We’re right in the middle of a lot of things,” he said.

Street repair is something the city council is working on, he said.

“I’d like to stick around and see that completed,” he said.

Lockaby, who is active in his church, Lions Club and other organizations, said infrastructure and water will continue to be issues for the city.

“There’s also been issues with light bills,” he said. “We’re working on leveling that out to not have peaks in bad weather.”

Lockaby has been married to his wife, Brenda, for 48 years and has four children, seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. He said he’s looking forward to another term.

“I think the council is doing a really good job,” he said. “I’d like just one more term.”

Marie Seneca

Seneca is completing her first term on the city council.

“I’m excited about the growth in Pomona,” she said.

A 10-year resident of Pomona, Seneca said she’s proud of the city’s housing rehabilitation program, library and beautification efforts.

Street repair, growth and development will be important to the city in the coming years, she said.

“We’re working on a lot of positive things, and I’d like to play a role in our future,” she said.

Seneca, a landlord with properties in multiple counties in Kansas and Missouri, is the president of the Pomona Friends of the Library and is active in the garden club.

Bill Lloyd Sr.

Lloyd is running for the council with a number of years of experience under his belt.

He served four terms in the 1990s and was on the council during the decision to build the Pomona City Hall and Pomona Community Building.

“I’ve been to city council meetings, and all I heard was delays and delays,” he said. “We need to be bringing businesses in to help Pomona. We need more homes built — not delays on homes being built.”

Like Hancock, Lloyd said many residents aren’t heard when they speak to the council.

“I think the people need to take the city council back,” he said.

A Pomona resident since 1984, Lloyd retired from a gas service company after 38 years.

“For the people of Pomona, we need progress,” he said.

Joe Goracke

The Pomona City Council needs a change, Goracke said.

Goracke, who has lived in Pomona for 49 years, is a shop foreman for a steel fabrication shop in Paola. He previously worked for the water and sewer department for the City of Pomona and for the Franklin County Public Works Department.

“I’d like to see the streets fixed and the ditches cleaned out,” he said.

Although five candidates are competing for just two council seats, Goracke said he doesn’t plan to campaign too much.

“My name is on the ballot,” he said. “If people want to vote for me, they will.”

Lawrence ‘Larry’ Case

Case moved to Pomona nearly four years ago.

“I thought maybe I could make a difference on the council,” he said.

Case works for Metalwest in Gardner, is a member of the Pomona Fire Department and involved in the Lions Club.

He said he’d have to be elected before he could determine the top issues facing the city.

“I can’t say I’d change anything because it takes a whole board to do that,” he said.

Jenalea Myers can be e-mailed at jmyers@ottawaherald.com.