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Election 2018

County Coroner

DAVID HEJL-R
Age: 48
Occupation: Coroner, board-appointed interim; skydiving and fitness instructor and rental property manager.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from United States Military Academy at West Point (language/systems engineering).
Family: Spouse, Dr. Marissa Feeney.
Clubs: Vandalia Historical Society and volunteer at the Vandalia Statehouse and American Legion Post No. 95 in Vandalia.
Offices held: Currently serving as the coroner, appointed by the county board.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I believe that service to my county is service to my country. I was a sworn deputy last year when the previous coroner resigned. I felt it was my duty to provide continuity of service to the people of Fayette County, thereby fulfilling the commitment I had made as a deputy coroner.
What do you see as the key issues facing the position you are seeking, and how would you address those issues?
1) Financial budget concerns – Even though the coroner is on-call 365 days a year, the Fayette County Board passed a resolution in May 2016 changing the designation of this office to a part-time position in order to eliminate the cost of health care benefits. I am currently helping this budget reduction mission by reviewing vendor pricing, reducing expenditures from the general fund, standardizing office procedures to reduce workload and forming a pay-as-you-work deputy coroner team to assist with the on-call time without compromising proper medico-legal death investigation.
2) Public health improvement – With the cooperation of other institutions in the county, I am raising awareness of the direct link between certain lifestyle habits and the increased risk of early death. We can delay, and even prevent, the onset of most chronic diseases by changing how we live. We truly are the result of what and when we eat, how we move and breathe, and, especially, what and how we think.
What experience or qualities can you bring to the office you are seeking, and how will it help you in that office?
As a former U.S. Army officer, coffeehouse owner/operator and experienced skydiving & fitness instructor who has lived in several states, as well as overseas twice.
I bring a broad professional experience base with an attention to detail that can deliver competent performance of duties in any public office with compassion and good stewardship. I also bring my wife who is fully-qualified and trained to do this exact job. She is an experienced, board-certified forensic pathologist (M.D.) who has worked as a medical examiner (similar to coroner) in Houston, New York City and New Zealand.
However, I am also the only person in Fayette County who has a specific financial conflict of interest. As coroner, I order autopsies from which I then personally benefit through my wife’s pathology business. Therefore, we are calling for any other Fayette County resident who is looking to serve their county, and thereby their country, in this specific role – Fayette County coroner. With certainty, we would stay with the coroner’s office in order to educate, train and assist anyone who would like to accept this honorable position of responsibility.

No Democratic Candidate

County Treasurer

MICHELLE HAGY-R
Family: Daughter of the late Gary and Sue Henry; and children, Joshua Bradshaw and his wife Abby (Hutson), and Jeremy Bradshaw; and grandchildren, Alexandria, Jasmine, Jonah and Cassidy Bradshaw.  
Church/club memberships: Fayette County Historical Society and Fayette County Republican Women’s Club.
Occupation: Employed by the Vandalia Police Department as a dispatcher for 31 years and as the administrative assistant to the chief for 17 of those years. Also employed as a tax preparer for 13 years.
Why did you decide to run for office; what do you see as the key issues facing the position that you are seeking, and what are your stances on those issues; and what experience or qualities can you bring to the office you are seeking, and how will it help you in that office?
I am excited for this opportunity to serve the citizens of Fayette County.
One of the things I would like to establish in the treasurer’s office is to make it possible for county residents to pay real estate tax bills online or by phone with a program called Court Money, a program that is already in use at the Fayette County Courthouse. There would be no cost to the citizens of Fayette County to implement this program.
I am also currently researching bookkeeping programs that are being used by the treasurer’s offices in surrounding counties in an effort to provide the citizens with the most current and efficient services.
I feel my experience at both the Vandalia Police Department and as a tax preparer have given me the qualities and abilities I need to do an exceptional job as Fayette County Treasurer.
I feel that my knowledge of administration, bookkeeping, grant-writing, tax preparation and interacting with the public will make me the best candidate.

LUCAS M. WATSON-D
Age: 38
Occupation: Production assistant, office manager for a local insurance office.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston.
Family: Single, son of Randy and Cheryl Watson.
Church/club memberships: Attend St Elmo Christian Church and member of the Fayette County Farm Bureau.
Offices held in the past, elected or otherwise: Nothing of note since high school clubs.
Why did you decide to run for office?
Through a roundabout way, I was approached about this position, which had been successfully filled for the past many years by Rose Hoover. With her retirement, I look at this as an opportunity to serve our community and utilize the skills I possess to continue running the office in the professional manner it has been run.
What do you see as the key issues facing the position that you are seeking, and what are your stances on those issues?
I have heard nothing but good things about the current treasurer, Rose Hoover, and how the office has been managed for the past two decades. I would have to see firsthand if there was anything that could be or needed to be changed, but I have not heard of anything.
What experience or qualities can you bring to the office you are seeking, and how will it help you in that office?
I have successfully managed a local insurance office for the past several years, and prior to that, I served our community through the school systems, where I was employed as a substitute teacher and then as a full-time teachers aide.
I am quick to evaluate an issue and find resolutions to both solve and improve upon procedures. I am technically savvy and not afraid of making changes to current systems, but not necessarily change just for the sake of change.
I grew up in Fayette County and other than the years I was living away at college, this has always been my home.
My family has always served our community, and I would like the opportunity to continue to do so through being elected as Fayette County treasurer.
My grandfather, Max Watson, served as a Fayette County Board member, and as the chairman, for many years.
My father served as mayor of St. Elmo, and my mother, Cheryl, served as city collector for St Elmo for numerous years. I have witnessed first-hand both through them and through the jobs that I have held, the importance of community and doing our part to make improvements in every situation we are placed in.

Sheriff

Ed Durbin

Age: 52
Occupation: Deputy sheriff and farmer.
Education: Graduate of St. Elmo High School and graduate of the Belleville Police Academy.
Family: Married to Mona (Bergmann) Durbin for 31 years; children, Zach Durbin and his wife Rhiannon of St. Elmo and Megan and her husband Justin Schaal of Farina; and grandchild, Henry Durbin.
Church/club memberships: Member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Elmo and Knights of Columbus.
Office held in the past, elected and otherwise: Wheatland Township trustee since 2005.
Why did you decide to run for office?
Being with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department for 22 years has given me the opportunity to observe the natural evolution of things such as crime and drug trends, county budgets and how to manage staff.
I want to be part of the leadership to make sure things go in the right direction for the citizens of Fayette County.  
What do you see as the key issues facing the position which you are seeking, and what are your stances on those issues?
First and foremost is a need to run the department as efficiently and effectively as possible. Over the years, I have seen how the times and systems have changed.
I will strive to achieve the balance for the taxpayers we serve and protect, and for those serving and protecting the citizens of Fayette County.
What types of experience and/or qualities can you bring to the office you are seeking?
Upfront, I will tell you that I am not a politician. However, I am a fair and honest person, and my 22 years of experience will help me focus on doing what is right for the citizens of Fayette County, even when that can be uncomfortable and challenging.  Fairness, honesty and experience is what I will bring to this office.

CHRIS SMITH-R
Present occupation: Sheriff
Education: High school and Kaskaskia College criminal justice.
Family: Married 29 years to Andrea Smith; and children, Zach (27), Luke (22), Isaac (17) and Amelia (16).
Church/club memberships: Metro Community Church and Vandalia Moose Lodge.
Offices held in the past, elected and otherwise:  Fayette County sheriff since 2014.
Why did you decide to run for re-election?
I enjoy being the Fayette County Sheriff every day. I also enjoy serving the people of Fayette County. I feel that I have served the people of Fayette County well since I became sheriff on Dec. 1, 2014.
This is a very difficult and rewarding job. It requires much more than a 40-hour work week.
I would like to serve the people of Fayette County for another four years. 
What do you see as the key issues?
I feel it is trying to fight the crime we have in our county with the budget and number of staff we have to work with.
We handled more than 10,500 calls in 2017; this was a large increase from 2016. Since taking over as sheriff in 2014, our call volume continues to increase every year.
I feel that many issues we deal with are drug-related. Drug use in our county is at an alarming rate. We have made many drug related arrests since I have taken over as the heriff. 
What do you see as the key issues facing the position which you are seeking, and what are your stances on those issues?
We will continue to make it is hard as we can on the drug users in our county.
We bring more people to jail and make more drug arrest from traffic stops than any other way. We will continue to use our K-9, “Tex,” during those traffic stops. Tex is a great asset, and we were very thankful I was able to get a $ 71,000 grant to fund our K-9 program.
I have also implemented the D.A.R.E. program again in our county this year. We have to concentrate on our children and the influence they are under. This is why you will see a D.A.R.E.-certified deputy in our schools helping our children.   
What types of experience and/or qualities can you bring to the office you are seeking?
The experience that led me to becoming the Fayette County sheriff began in October 2001, when Sheriff Harold Johnson hired me as a court security officer. I was then promoted to deputy sheriff in January 2002.
The experience of being the current sheriff has provided me the opportunity to develop positive working relationships with outside police agencies. I’m very blessed to have the help when we ask for assistance. We don’t have the funding and manpower to always handle major incidents that happen in our county.
The sheriff position brings with it many responsibilities, including operating with a $2.1-million budget.
The sheriff is responsible for control and custody of 72 inmates in the Fayette County Jail. I started working for the Illinois Department of Corrections system when I was 18 years old, so I’m very familiar with the handling of inmates.

County Clerk and Recorder
DONNA THULL-D
Occupation: Employed at Oldfield Myers Apke & Payne Law Group Ltd.
Education: 1991 graduate of Ramsey High School.
Family: Husband, Brent; and daughters, Ashley (22), and Brooke and Paige (13).
Church, club memberships: Attend Ramsey Christian Church.
Offices held in the past, elected and otherwise: None.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I believe the citizens of Fayette County deserve an elected official who feels passionate about working for them and their needs. I recognize the importance of meticulous records, and it is my promise that I will fulfill the duties of this position while striving for excellence.
I hope to have the opportunity to work with the community to maintain high expectations for service to our citizens.
As a lifelong resident of Fayette County, I intend to maintain the integrity of this office while seeking opportunities to improve policies and procedures.
What do you see as the key issues facing the position you are seeking, and how would you address those issues?
Organization is a key component to running this office well. My work experience in bookkeeping, accounting and working in the legal field have given me the skill to be very organized, and I am excited to put these skills to work if I am elected.
What experience or qualities can you bring to the office you are seeking, and how will it help you in that office?
In my past occupations, I have been an office manager, assistant manager, secretary and now, in my current job, a receptionist. In these past and present jobs, I have done bookkeeping, accounting, answered phones, typed legal descriptions, greet clients, typed attorney dictations, filed important documents and put client information into the computer system. I was also an election judge for many years.

VICKY CONDER-R
Age: 60
Occupation: Fayette County clerk and recorder
Education: Kaskaskia College
Family: Married 43 years to Danny Conder; and three daughters, Angela Wilkerson of Vandalia, Robin Richardson of Spencer, Ind., and Elizabeth Rentfrow of Taylorville, and a son, Christopher Conder of
Edwardsville; and 12 grandchildren.
Church/club memberships: Member and past elder of First Presbyterian Church of Vandalia, Vandalia Lions Club, Republican Women’s Club, Vandalia Golf and Country Club, Vandalia Historical Society and National Association of Enrolled Agents.
Why do you decide to run for office?
I have decided to run for a second term to continue my efforts in Fayette county clerk and recorder’s office, and serve the citizens of Fayette County.
What do you see as the key issues facing the position which you are seeking, and what are your stances on those issues?
Key issues facing the Fayette County Clerk and Recorder include keeping pace with the electronic changes in all facets of the office and the county itself; staying on top of changes coming out of Springfield in relation to all voter issues and registrations; helping all department heads and board members with information they need; addressing and staying in tune with laws, insurance, meetings, grants and workers’ compensation; and coordinating information with various department, to name a few.
What types of experience and/or qualities can you bring to the office you are seeking?
When I took the job as Fayette County clerk and recorder, I brought more than 30 years of experience as the owner and business manager of a tax business, and now, combined with my experience as Fayette
County clerk, I am really excited about having a second term.
One example is when I was able to make our office self-funded, meaning we take no monies from the general fund. We have moved payroll from an outside vendor to in-house.
I want to continue training for the department heads and board members with ICMRT, which keeps us current and on top of human resource problems, keeping the county’s liability in check.

Regional Superintendent of Schools
JULIE WOLLERMAN-D
Age: 51
Occupation: Regional Superintendent of Schools for Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette and Montgomery Counties.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and specialist degree, all from Eastern Illinois University.
Family: Married to Lynn Wollerman for 30 years; and children,  Austin and Katie Wollerman, Haley, Nic and Kanon.
Church, club memberships: Member of Metro Community Church-Vandalia campus; Shafter Friends 4H club leader; Illinois Coalition for Educating At-Risk Youth; and Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools.
Offices held in the past, elected and otherwise: Regional superintendent of schools since appointed in 2011, and elected to the position in 2014.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I am an educator who enjoys working with the students, teachers, staff, schools and communities of our area. My office fills many needs for individual schools as well as the State Board of Education. My team works hard to fill those needs so we may continue to achieve more successful students and, thus, better communities, in our five-county area.
What do you see as the key issues facing the position which you are seeking, and what are your stances on those issues?
One of the key issues facing education right now is a lack of teacher candidates to fill our open positions in schools. I hope to increase community support for our teachers and what they have to offer our students.
Being a teacher is one of the most honorable professions and should be seen as such.
The second biggest issue is, of course, funding for our rural schools. A student’s zip code should not determine what type of education they receive. I will continue to advocate for our area schools to receive the appropriate state funding so our communities can see successful students emerging from their schools.
A current hot issue is school safety. Our schools work hard to make everyone on their campuses not only feel safe, but be safe. I will continue to work with our schools and well as our local community first responders and other agencies to make any changes that better secure our campuses for our students, staff and community in general.
I believe the most important step is for school staff to build relationships with all our students. Every student needs that one caring adult to make a difference in his or her life.
What types of experience and/or qualities can you bring to the office you are seeking?
I have been an educator for more than 25 years. I have taught and administered at different levels. I continue to seek out new experiences and learning opportunities so I may grow my knowledge of educational principles and practices.
My experience as regional superintendent has given me great insight to the many different schools and communities in our five-county area and across the state. I have the necessary skills, experience and expertise to serve our schools and communities for their continued success.

 

David Hejl-R

Michelle Hagy-R

Ed Durbin-D

Chris Smith-R

Donna Thull-D

Vicky Conder-R

Julie Wollerman-D

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