(Editor’s note: This continues a series of profiles submitted by candidates.)
Hello, my name is Rose Ward, and I am running for the Associate District #1 position on the Texas County Commission. Currently, there is only one political party deciding how county government operates. I believe that the other political party and independent voters need representation on the county commission. I consider myself a fiscal conservative when it comes to spending other people’s money. The county has two fine facilities to serve the people. We need to insure these are well maintained so that they last for future generations of county residents.
I believe in volunteering to community organizations. I have volunteered for numerous local, regional, state and national campaigns. I also have volunteered for the local fire department for its fundraisers for years at the local fair and reunion.
I know how our township form of local government works as my late father, Stanley Hicks, served as Piney Township assessor for a number of years. I was elected and served as the last township collector for Piney Township as the township collector position was eliminated by the Missouri General Assembly. The county’s political subdivisions along with the taxpayers deserve fair and equal assessing of property. As a voting member of the county board of equalization, I will do my best to insure this is done. Our schools, cities, townships, library, sheltered workshop and health board set the annual tax levies that voters had previously approved. Most of these units of government get a big part of their operation expenditures from our tax dollars we pay.
I do not believe the county commission should decide tax issues by refusing to place issues and questions before voters. I do believe there should be a showing of public support, and I believe election costs should be the responsibility of the support groups and not the county. My mother, Hazel Hicks, worked a number of years for the Texas County Extension Council. Funding for this unit of local government will be given due consideration during the budget process.
I was born and raised on the Piney River family farm near Clara (Hightown). I live on this property, and it was where I raised my three daughters. Private property rights and the protection of our local rivers has been part of my family dedication for years. Two of my daughters are school teachers and one is a registered nurse. Quality education is a must for any community, and I will support a strong education system for the county so that my six grandchildren will have solid footing for their futures. I will keep a watchful eye open with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to protect our hunting and fishing rights we have. The ag industry is very important to my family. My mother still has a herd of beef cattle and my sister, Rowena Moore, has a large beef operation on her properties. My older brother, Richard, returned to Texas County after retirement and built a new home on the family homestead.
I am a long-time member of the Clara Baptist Church. I also serve as clerk for Public Water Supply District #3. I have volunteered for church functions and have helped when needed at the Baptist Camp. I believe in the separation of church and state of which is part of our constitution.
I’ve owned Rose Ward Accounting and Tax Service located in beautiful downtown Houston for more than 30 years. I received the appointment from the late Gov. Mel Carnahan and operated the Houston License Bureau for 12 years.
I recently learned my opponent is supporting a 400 percent plus tax increase to support public education. This measure has been rejected by voters twice in the past. Supporting our public education operations with yet another “sin” tax is not acceptable in my opinion. Based on past experience, these type of revenues, like the lottery, do not get used as taxpayers intended.
I enjoy gardening, hunting, fishing, cooking, NASCAR and doing genealogy research. I ask for your support and vote Nov. 6.