by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The following is a candidate’s forum for the two Republicans of the Sumner County Commissioner third district. Cliff Bales of Oxford is an incumbent. Jason Boyd of South Haven is a challenger. The third district encompasses the east side of Sumner County. The district can be found here for Sumner County (third district is in white) and here for the city of Wellington.

1. Give us some background about yourself.

Bales – I am a life-long Sumner County resident who lives with, and endorses, Christian, conservative, traditional values. My wife Anita and I have been married for 48 years. When we met, she was 13 and I was 14. We both understand the meaning of responsibility and commitment.

We live on the family farm southwest of Oxford where we have lived for 38 years becoming Century Farmers in 2009. We have a grown son and daughter with 2 grandsons.

Along with an extensive, successful business background, I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Management. My businesses have had dealings primarily in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri. I currently manage real estate investments.

When I sold my last sales/service business, I was hired by the Sumner County Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health Department. I served for 10 years as a Field Tech. Those 10 years gave me the opportunity to observe the workings of the County. Being well versed in county regulations now serves me well as Commissioner. When it comes to county issues, I apply solid business practices at every opportunity.

Boyd – Here is a list of my qualifications:

• Raised in Sumner County – age 31

• Received Associate Degree from Cowley County Community College, Johnson County Community College, KLETC

• Employment: law enforcement past four years; prior eight year career with BNSF Railway

• Family: son of late Sheriff Kenny Boyd and Cindy Boyd; father of two sons; finance’ Kori Martin

• Recently constructed new home in my district

• 240 acre land owner and farmer in Sumner County

• My current position is the Chief of Police in my hometown of South Haven, where I work with citizens and local government daily.

This week at the Regent Theater: “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (Movie trailer is below).

When: Friday 7 p.m. Saturday, Sunday 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Rated: PG-13 Time: 2 hours 10 minutes.

Movie Synopsis:A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species. (c) Fox

by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Technically, when the Wellington City Council meets for a work session that isn’t a regular scheduled meeting, it’s to do a lot of the preparation work for the regularly scheduled Tuesday meetings. No action is ever binding during a work session.

On Tuesday night, nothing was resolved, but a lot was said as the council sets the blueprint for the city policies ahead. It should be an interesting next six months at the council chambers.

Here were some of the subjects the council is working on:

The Wellington City Budget

The council appears to have hammered out the budget and will submit a legal notice to the legal publication before holding a public hearing at its regular meeting on Tuesday Aug. 19. It will then vote to approve or turn down the budget thereafter.