Hamilton would work to develop strategic plans for county

Alison Hamilton is seeking to represent District No. 2 on the Linn County Board of Commissioners. She is one of three candidates on the Republican Aug. 6 primary ballot.

What is your background and how has that prepared you to serve your constituents?

After graduating from Pleasanton High School, I went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Business Administration from Pittsburg State University. Recently I have served on the Linn County Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board and the Linn County Planning and Zoning Ad Hoc, representing opponents of Commercial Solar in Linn County. My experience in the tourism sector and membership in various tourism associations has helped me gain valuable knowledge in the industry that I hope to utilize as a commissioner. I’ve worked closely with KDOT to acquire highway signage and permitting, completed permits on scenic highway billboard signs, secured funding to rename a section of 69 Highway (Walter Scott Brown Memorial Highway), added exit signs for tourism and actively working on the Potawatomi Trail of Death scenic byway sign. I have non-profit operations experience serving as the Trading Post Historical Society President, Wreaths Across America Location Coordinator and Warrior Tribe Foundation Midwest Region liaison.  I look forward to aligning the citizens of Linn County vision to reality. 

Are you in favor of expanding the current commission to five commissioners? Why or why

not? 

The county has discussed 5 commissioners quite a few times this past year.  We are currently waiting on a draft to see how the county would be divided from the Clerk’s Office.  I’m not for or against at this time, I would consider it and vow to do my own research and present my findings publicly.  Increasing to 5 would automatically cost the county $60,000 plus benefits. Yes, it would allow for more communication outside of the meetings, but some of the cons would be the boundary lines around Linn Valley. It would almost certainly divide La Cygne from Linn Valley and with their steady increase in residential development, we must think about how that would affect the Prairie View School District funding.  It’s a good time to reevaluate how Evergy’s funds are distributed.  

If elected, what would you like to accomplish during your term in office?

● Developing business and strategic plans in the following areas for 1, 5 and 10 years.

• La Cygne Lake/Linn County Park & Marina

• Airport

• Economic Development

• Power Plant Conversion

● Create updated modern website 

• Easy access to the County budget, records, departments, meetings, etc.

• Online Park reservations.

• Live commenting during Livestream meetings.

 ● Renegotiating PILOT with the Marais des Cygnes Federal and State Wildlife Refuge.

• Requirement to engage in some educational capacity within our local school districts.

 ● Implement project management software

•      Software will provide a structured framework for county planning including scope of work and deadlines for all tasks/goals. 

•     County projects can be aligned with strategic goals and priorities

•      Ensure that projects contribute to long-term objectives such as economic development, infrastructure improvement and better utilization of taxpayer resources.