Your voter guide to suburban mayor and city council races: Derby, Andover, Goddard
Voters in cities across south-central Kansas will select new leaders on Nov. 7. Here are candidates for key races in suburban Wichita.
Derby mayor
Mark Staats
Age: 58
Position: President & CEO Derby Chamber of Commerce
Past position: Former Derby City Council Member 2007-2019 ; Retired Police Sergeant from the Derby Police Department
Education: Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from Friends University
Phone: 316-648-8623
Email: markforderbymayor@gmail.com
Website: Facebook: Mark Staats for Derby Mayor
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it?
Ensure that the police and fire departments are properly funded as Derby continues to grow.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
I have the experience. I was elected to the Derby City Council for three terms. I was also elected council president three times by my peers on the city council. While on the city council, I participated in 13 budget processes and served on numerous planning and strategy committees. I am proud to say that during my time on the city council, Derby was on the leading edge of positive community changes and well ahead of other cities in Kansas.
Is there a particular city service that you think needs more resources? If so, how would you pay for that?
Public Safety Resources. I think this is an area the Derby Difference Sales Tax would help fund if passed.
What would you do to make city government more transparent?
Currently, I feel things are pretty transparent in Derby. Information is on the city’s website. The city council has always encouraged citizens to speak and communicate with council members and staff. At this time, I am not sure what more the city could do to be more transparent, but I am sure there is always room for improvement.
Elizabeth Stanton
Age: 45
Position: Realtor & founder of The Stanton Real Estate Group, Agent Leadership Council for Keller Williams Hometown Partners, board chair of the Derby Community Foundation, Derby Rotary Club Member, Derby Chamber of Commerce member, & Honorary Commander of the 22nd Contracting Squadron McConnell Air Force Base.
Past position: Current Derby City Council member
Education: Derby High Alumni
Phone: 316-734-8971
Email: stantonforkansas@gmail.com
Website: ElizabethStanton.com
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it?
My top priority is lowering property taxes! The residents and the businesses that have invested in our community deserve a break! Sedgwick County property taxes went up last year 11.5%! This November Derby has a ballot question posed to add a 1 cent sales tax in 2024. Should that sales tax pass, I intend to hold the Derby City Council and Derby city manager to their word to lower property taxes in our city. This funding would allow the city to decrease the infrastructure expense for our residents.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
As a Christian conservative, successful business owner & first Female Mayoral Candidate I’m grounded in my faith & stand by my convictions. As a current Derby City Council member, I listen to the citizens of Derby & know how to achieve what matters. Utilizing my 20 years of business ownership I bring strong leadership, the ability to evaluate information & make tough decisions, while employing the skills of those around me. My vision is, I want Derby to continue to be THE place to live, learn, earn, play, & pray!
Is there a particular city service that you think needs more resources? If so, how would you pay for that?
Derby’s current & future growth places a strain on our budget in several areas; Police, Fire & Rescue, street maintenance & quality of life. Government’s responsibility is to ensure safety & security for our residents, businesses & guests. To do that we must fully fund & efficiently train our public safety departments. In your darkest moments I want only the very best to show up. We work diligently to manage the city’s budget of $54M, but we must search for more efficiencies to free up additional funds.
What would you do to make city government more transparent?
Transparency requires easy accessibility. Currently we broadcast live on channel 7, the city website & post a recorded video the next day. An expansion into social media allows us to utilize various notification alerts to inform everyone that a council meeting is streaming live. I would like topics to be easily searchable on the city’s website. You deserve to know how each council member voted on the important topics. I don’t want to be the Mayor of the city of Derby. I will be the Mayor for the citizens of Derby!
Andover City Council
Four candidates seek three at-large spots on the Andover City Council. Candidate Troy Tabor did not respond to The Eagle’s questionnaire.
Tim Berry
Age: 44
Position: Area Market Regional Manager Scotts MiracleGro
Past position: No response
Education: Bachelor’s Degree Washburn University
Phone: No response
Email: tberry@andoverks.com
Website: No response
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it?
Continue driving growth within Andover. We have several new areas coming into town, and I would love to see more.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
I deeply cherish Andover, my chosen home. While Wichita is my birthplace, my heart is in Andover, where I’m committed to staying and investing my energy. As a council member, I’ve navigated pandemic challenges, tax revenue uncertainties, natural disasters, city growth, and contributed to our new fire station. These experiences strengthen my dedication to serving our community. I have a deep affection for Andover—it’s not just a place I reside; it’s my true home.
Is there a particular city service that you think needs more resources? If so, how would you pay for that?
Our city faces rapid growth, creating opportunities and challenges. Essential services like wastewater, parks, infrastructure, and safety need more resources. Sales tax revenue helped fund vital projects, and continuing this approach shares the cost burden, benefiting our growing community while maintaining a high quality of life. I have more to say, but the form was set to 500 characters or less.
What would you do to make city government more transparent?
Making city government more transparent is an important goal that can help build trust, engage citizens and ensure accountability. Here are few strategies: Regular Public Reporting: The City provides regular updates on government activities, projects, and initiatives. We encourage fellow citizens to attend our meetings. Government Portals: I have pushed for a better and easier website for open government initiatives, to share information. Ensure that government meetings are open to the public and livestreamed, or recorded for easy access.
Jodi Ocadiz
Age: 49
Position: Insurance Agent
Past position: None
Education: No response
Phone: No response
Email: No response
Website: No response
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it?
No response
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
My vision is very simple, I’m here to make Andover the best community to raise a family, grow a business, or just enjoy the amenities that Andover has to offer.
Is there a particular city service that you think needs more resources? If so, how would you pay for that?
No response
What would you do to make city government more transparent?
I believe it’s important to have transparency with anything. I am very active in the community so being approachable and listening to the community is the best way to bridge any gaps.
Paul Wemmer
Age: 42
Position: Director of Sales for Lubrication Engineers
Past position: Over the past 22 years, I’ve held various roles in Marketing and Sales, both within corporate settings and through entrepreneurial ventures. My journey began with my participation in the Youth Entrepreneurs program during high school, where I honed my business acumen. I’ve remained actively engaged by volunteering as a Business Plan Advisor to high school students, serving on the Executive Council, and contributing to the Alumni Council for Youth Entrepreneurs. In addition to my professional experiences, I’ve dedicated time to coaching youth sports, initially as an assistant coach for my son’s baseball team and later as a head coach. I’ve also taken on roles as an assistant coach for his basketball team.
Education: I am a graduate of Wichita North High School. I received my BA in communication with an emphasis in Integrated Marketing Communication from Wichita State University. I most recently earned an MBA with an emphasis in Change Management through Friends University.
Phone: 316-841-7167
Email: pmwemmer@yahoo.com
Website: Facebook: WemmerForAndover
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it?
My top priority is to foster open communication and community engagement. I will actively participate in events, visit neighborhoods and local businesses, and utilize Facebook to keep residents updated. Additionally, I am dedicated to supporting the elderly, enhancing education, championing first responders, and promoting local businesses. I take great pride in our community and am fully committed to its continued growth and prosperity.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
I believe my qualifications set me apart, and it’s not because of political experience—far from it, as I’m not a career politician. Instead, I bring real-world leadership experience, coupled with essential skills in decision-making and conflict resolution. My approach to effective representation centers on open communication and relationship-building within the community. My commitment is unwavering: I’ll always be accessible, attentive, and dedicated to representing the people of Andover.
Is there a particular city service that you think needs more resources? If so, how would you pay for that?
I believe it’s prudent to reserve my response until after being elected, affording me the opportunity to thoroughly assess our challenges and explore potential solutions. However, I want to emphasize my unwavering support for our first responders, city employees, schools, community amenities, and our elderly and those with special needs. My commitment lies in prioritizing their voices, ensuring the best individuals are in key roles to guide our community and maintain its safety.
What would you do to make city government more transparent?
Enhancing government transparency can be achieved through improved communication. It’s common for daily life to take precedence, causing us to overlook important city matters like approvals and voting. To address this, I propose leveraging existing city platforms to disseminate information about upcoming events, processes, and vital updates. Additionally, I’ll utilize my social media presence and personal network to further amplify this information, ensuring our community remains well-informed.
Goddard City Council
Goddard has nine candidates running for three at-large seats on the City Council. Travis Bryant, Gary W. Charbonneau, Keaton Michael Fish, Scott A. Garton, Steven Gregory, Krista Hall, Jeffery S. Jones and Larry D. Zimmerman did not respond to The Eagle’s questionnaire.
George W. Liebe
Age: 66
Position: Goddard City Council
Past position: We moved to Goddard in 1997 and I was a loan officer at the Suburban West State Bank. After leaving banking I have worked for the state banking department and retired in April after 14 years as an examiner and 3 years as a regional manager. I believe that leadership begins with service and over the years I have served on the Goddard Library Board, the Goddard Junior Baseball Board, coached numerous youth baseball, basketball teams and have served as a youth leader and elder at Beacon Community Church
Education: B. S. Finance, Kansas State University 1979
Phone: 316-519-2275
Email: No response
Website: No response
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it?
In my view current city council has been overly focused on development growth. Over the last several years we have neglected street repair and maintenance, we need to take care of our existing streets, sidewalks and infrastructure. The current $200,000 budget for street maintenance is insufficient. More of the 2015 one cent sales tax needs to be used for our streets instead of other capital improvements.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
My banking experience of 40 years in general and managing the city’s banking relationship when I worked at Suburban West State Bank. In addition, my ability to listen and work with people will be put to use for the best interest of the city. Goddard needs people on the council that can look forward toward the growth that is coming and provide direction, oversight and solid decision making that is in the best interest of the city. I would like to serve on the council to provide that leadership.
Is there a particular city service that you think needs more resources? If so, how would you pay for that?
To improve the quality of life I will reach out to the Goddard School Board and work to develop a city/ school district recreation commission similar to what Maize has done for their community. It would be funded by a small property tax increase.
What would you do to make city government more transparent?
To improve communication, I would hold quarterly city council and planning commission meetings. Also, list in the agenda all the items that are in the consent agenda and review some of those items from time to time, during the council meetings.
