Candidates present their views on county issues, reasons for running
Two men are in competition for the Dist. 3 Hamilton County Commission seat being vacated by current commission vice president, John Thomas who chose not to seek re-election. Area farmer Jessie Merkel, who won a three-way race for the GOP nomination in the May Primary Election, is being challenged by Aurora motor grader operator and former law enforcement officer Ray Simmons.
Simmons decided after the primary to run in the Nov. 5 General Election as a write-in candidate and threw his hat in the ring in June.
ANR sent both candidates questionnaires seeking biographical information as well as their views on various issues facing the county and how they would approach them. Below are those questions followed by the candidates’ responses. They are presented in alphabetical order.
Jessie Merkel
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a local farmer for the past seventeen years. I have lived in this community for 41 years. I’m a college graduate with two Ph.D.s. I have a strong moral Christian philosophy.
Why are you running for this office?
There is a quote that I live my life by: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke) That is one of the reasons I’m running for county commissioner, Dist. 3—the people need a voice.
What personal strengths and talents do you bring to the position?
The personal strengths I would bring are honesty, integrity and business ethics.
What in your view are the top three priority issues facing the county?
This county has always been a great place to raise a family. We have good people living here. My biggest concern is spending. I’m very conservative on this matter. Second would be some roads that need to be addressed. Third would be the property tax issue.
What goals do you hope to accomplish while serving as commissioner?
My number one goal would be to listen to the people. We have to remember we work for the people/tax payers. It seems like that philosophy has lost it’s meaning in this day and age. My strong ethical background would help me make tough decisions.
Ray Simmons
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Bellflower, Calif. I attended and graduated from La Serna High School in Whittier, Calif. After graduation my family moved to Littleton, Colo.
As a little boy I wanted to be a police officer just like my heroes on the television show, Adam 12. After moving to Colorado, I focused on law enforcement and took a path that would lead me to a career as a police officer. I worked for Target Stores in the Denver area as a loss prevention officer. My duties include the apprehension of shoplifters, employee theft and investigations, as well as safety issues on store properties. While working at Target Stores I met my future wife, Linda Luthy.
Linda brought me to “The Good Life” where I attended the Nebraska Law Enforcement Center in Grand Island. While obtaining my law enforcement certification, Linda and I married in Aurora. After graduation Linda and I started our life together.
We have three children, Clint, Amanda, and Beau. Clint is a school teacher in Grand Island and is married with four children. Amanda is a school teacher in Norfolk and is married with one little girl. Beau is the location manager of agronomy at Aurora Co-op, and he is married with five children.
While raising our children together and after my graduation from the Law Enforcement Center I was hired as a deputy sheriff in Howard County. During my law enforcement career, I worked for Howard County Sheriff, Hamilton County Sheriff, Aurora Police Department, Phelps County Sheriff, and Jefferson County Sheriff in Colorado.
During my work as a law enforcement officer, I worked in patrol, K9 unit training, investigations including thefts, burglary, assaults, sexual assaults, accident reconstructionist, drug cases, and a member of the Nebraska Clan Lab Team (meth lab bust and evidence collection).
Other jobs that I’ve had while living in Nebraska is working with my father-in-law, Dallas Luthy, as a farm hand. I have several years in sales and that included sales of voice and data communications products, roof sales, concrete products (block, bricks, pavers, retaining wall), and semi-trailer sales.
I’ve worked the past six years as a motor grader operator for Hamilton County. I want to work with the other commissioners and Jeremy Brandt in developing some ideas I have on saving money and providing the best training for grader operators. My goal is to provide the safest roads for our residents and visitors to Hamilton County.
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running for Hamilton County Commissioner of the 3rd District. After talking with and receiving support from my family and friends I feel that I have a lot to offer in this position. I enjoyed my time in the service of the community as a law enforcement officer and my desire to serve continues as a motor grader operator.
What personal strengths and talents do you bring to the position?
I want to bring my life experiences to the commissioner position to continue making Hamilton County a great place to live. My life and work experiences have provided me with several personal strengths and talents that will help me in this position.
What goals do you hope to accomplish while serving as commissioner?
My goals, if elected to this position, are to provide the best county roads in the state with new ideas and by attracting the best operators. I want to also work with the clerk’s office on voter integrity and assure the voters that our election process is safe and secure. I will do what I can to help our schools achieve their needs and would like to work with the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Aurora in attracting new business opportunities to generate tax dollars.