Voters here and around the state will select party candidates in the August primary election this Tuesday.
Locally, only three races are contested in the Democratic primary: Howard County assessor, clerk, and western district commissioner.

Winners of the primary election Aug. 5 will move to the Nov. 4 general election.

The Republican Party has primary candidates only for clerk and western district associate commissioner and both are uncontested within the GOP. Thus, whoever gets the Democratic Party nod in August for clerk will be up against Kathyrne Harper, and whoever wins the Democratic western commissioner race will face off against the GOP’s Bob Meyer.

The winner of the county assessor in the Democratic primary will de facto have the office as there is no Republican candidate running in November.

Following are profiles of the contenders for the Democratic nomination for county clerk, assessor, and western district commissioner.

HOWARD COUNTY CLERK

Lisa Asbury

Lisa Asbury

Occupation: Assistant City Clerk/Collector/Court Administrator for the city of Fayette.

Lived in Howard County: Born and raised in Howard County.

Family: Married to David Asbury, three daughters, Stacy Marshall (21), Shelby Asbury, 13, and Sydney Asbury, 9. Parents are Raymond and Billie Jean Kirby of Fayette and Lonnie and Kitty Beckett of Slater, former residents of Glasgow. Mother-in-law is Nancy Asbury, wife of the late Tom Asbury.

Education: Associate degree from Northeast Missouri State University (Truman University). I have completed 36 hours at Central Methodist University and presently enrolled for six hours in the fall 2008 sessions. I am working towards a completion of a degree in business administration.

Political/career experience: I have never run for office before, but many members of my family have been involved in county government for many years. First experience at campaigning was at the age of 9 going around door to door with my cousin Lonni Marsh asking voters to elect my great-grandfather, Gibson Dougherty, for presiding judge.

Presently, I am employed by the city of Fayette where I am responsible for payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, deposits, balancing accounts, monthly reports, all tax reporting, compliance, court proceedings, issuing business licenses, filing candidates for Board of Aldermen, and keeping minutes for the Board of Aldermen.

Previously, for a year and a half, I worked for Central Methodist University as the administrative assistant for the Senior Director of Finance, and for 16 years for Major Brands Wholesale Liquor Distributors as the payroll/compliance/benefits coordinator.

Community: I attend First Christian Church in Fayette. I have been involved with the Relay for Life event every year. I have assisted with my daughters’ girl scout groups, and have helped coach summer ball teams for summer recreation program.

Reason for running for office: I feel the citizens of Howard County deserve someone who will work for them and make sure the books balance and everyone can vote in their correct locations. I enjoy serving and helping the citizens of Howard County.

Most important issue(s): The important issue for me is that Howard County is working running in compliance, restoring the integrity to the clerk’s office and moving our county forward.

Sheryl Fehling

Sheryl Fehling

Occupation: Howard County Sheriff’s Office Administrator.

Lived in Howard County: Born and raised in Fayette.

Family: Married 28 years to Jim Fehling. I have a step-daughter, Lorie, married to Scott Bouquet. They have two children, Trenton, 7, and Lexie, 4, of Centralia. I have one son, Kenneth Fehling, who just recently married Cheyenne Wells of Fayette at the end of May. My parents are Aubrey and Glynda Naylor. Aubrey Naylor retired from the post office after serving 32 years. Glynda Naylor was the Howard County public administrator for 16 years. My husband’s parents are Virgil and Ruth Fehling of Armstrong. Virgil was a well-known carpenter in the county and Ruth had one of the top five dog kennels in the state of Missouri.

Education: Associate degree in law enforcement from Moberly Area Community College; graduated from Fayette High School in 1978.

Political/career experience: September this year will be 13 years I have been with the Howard County Sheriff’s Department.

I am familiar with many of the Missouri statutes which govern county level offices such as the sheriff’s office. The county clerk position also is set by Missouri statutes.

As office administrator in the Sheriff’s Department, I deal with members of the public who are sometimes in a highly emotional state. I take bond money, handle bond monies, inmate boarding bills, and other accounts receivable; prepare legal paperwork for service; balance office bank statements; answer the phone and try to solve callers’ problems or get them the help they need.

Community: Involved with 4-H.

Reason for running for office: I am a people person and I enjoy helping the people of Howard County find the right answers for their problems or start them in the right direction. I want to be your next county clerk and would enjoy visiting with you at your convenience at any time. Let me know what I can do for you.

Most important issue(s): The county clerk’s office is the heart of county administration. All other offices feed off of the county clerk’s office. When the county clerk’s office runs smoothly, all other offices can run smoothly. I plan to get the county back to running smoother.

HOWARD COUNTY ASSESSOR

Susan Oser

Susan Oser

Occupation: I am an administrative assistant to the Howard County Assessor and also the mapper.

Lived in Howard County: Over 50 years.

Family: My sons are Randy Oser and Jason Oser; my grandchildren are Hayden Oser, Halei Oser and Ella Oser.

Education: Graduate of New Franklin High School.

Political/career experience: I have worked in the Assessor’s office for over 14 years. During that time, I have attended numerous classes, seminars and workshops put on by the Assessor’s Association on the assessment and appraisal process. I am certified by the Assessor’s Association as Casdastral Mapper.

Community: Member of Sulphur Springs Baptist Church, treasurer for Sulphur Springs Cemetery Association, member of Democrat Women’s Club, Democrat Committeewoman for Moniteau Township, member of American Legion Auxiliary., VFW Auxiliary., President of Missouri Professional Auctioneer’s Auxiliary, member of Missouri Mappers Association and served as Chairman for West Central Mappers.

Reason for running for office: I have worked in the Assessor’s office for over 14 years and have been the administrative assistant for the past 11 years. I have enjoyed working with citizens of Howard County and want to continue being there to assist them.

Most important issue(s): To complete the new Geographic Informational System (GIS) and continue to keep property values as low as possible while maintaining fair and equitable assessments.

Woody McCutcheon

John “Woody” McCutcheon, 56

Occupation: Chief Financial Officer for Fayette Farm & Home.

Lived in Howard County: 56 years.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Methodist University.

Family: Single with no children.

Political/career experience: Three decades of active participation with our local Democratic party’s objectives. Support and management with election campaigns for multiple Democratic candidates. Active participation in our Democratic party’s projects and communications. I also have 30 plus years serving the general public through day to day operations in retail sales.

Community: I am involved with local fundraisers for the community and county as well as for Central Methodist University.

Reason for running for office: I have both sensed and been advised about our Assessor’s office’s need for service improvement. Some of Howard County’s citizens as well as business owners have approached me with requests that this important office be infused with new energy and commitment to serve. At times the office has been closed during normal office hours. This will not be the case if I am elected. The skill sets I have developed during the past 30 years, my overall work efficiency and my attitude will all help me run this critically important office properly.

Most important issue(s): Timely, sincere friendly service. Assessing and treating all county residents fairly and justly. I think it is equally important that our Assessor is competent, efficient and is willing to listen to our citizen’s concerns. I consider myself to have all of these traits.

HOWARD COUNTY WESTERN DISTRICT ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER

Howard Black

Howard Black (incumbent)

Occupation: Western District Commissioner; retired farmer of 50 years.

Lived in Howard County: All my life.

Education: Graduate of Glasgow High School.

Family: Gloria, wife. Curtis and Douglas, children. Two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren.

Political/career experience: Commissioner for the past 14 years; member of the Missouri Association of Counties which has provided me with annual training; executive board member of the Solid Waste Program of Boone County.

Community: member of Glasgow American Legion Post 211; member of Richland Church; member of Glasgow Co-op Board of Directors; served on Agricultural Soil Conservation committee; recipient of honorary degree from the Glasgow FFA Chapter.

Reason for running for office: I enjoy working with my fellow commissioners and the people of our great county and the people of my district.

Most important issue(s): Keeping the county solvent and in the black. Maintaining county roads and equipment. Listening to everyone and helping wherever needed.

Howard McMillan

Howard McMillan, 72

Occupation: retired.

Lived in Howard County: lifelong resident.

Education: Graduate of Glasgow High School.

Family: Joann, wife. Randy, Debbie Himmelberg, Darrell, Glenn, Danny, Doug, David and Melissa Frevert, children.

Political/career experience: A total of 12 years of service on the Glasgow City Council, both as councilmember and as mayor.

Community: St. Mary’s Church, Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 2914.

Reason for running for office: I think that after 14 years we need a change.

Most important issue(s): Bringing industries and jobs into the county so that more people make their homes here.

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