Palmer hopes to return to House

Editor's Note: This is part of a series of candidate profiles based on answers to a questionnaire sent out by the Tribune.

Democrat Shirley Palmer is running for 4th District State Representative against Republican Marty Read in the Nov. 6 general election. She was born and still resides in Fort Scott.

Palmer said she believes she is qualified for the office because she has served 2 terms or 4 years in the Kansas Legislature as 4th District State Representative (2006-2010).

"I have experience," Palmer said. "I have held several leadership positions on both the state and local levels."

Palmer is a retired teacher, having taught second grade for nearly 40 years in Kansas public schools.

She earned her associates degree from Fort Scott Community College and has three degrees from Pittsburg State University, including a B.S. in Education, M.S. in Education and an Ed.S.. in School Administration. Palmer also served as chairperson of the Kansas Board of Regents in 1993.

"I am active in my community in many civic organizations and serve on several advisory boards," Palmer said.

Palmer's memberships include Fort Scott Community College Alumni and Friends Board, Fort Scott Community Foundation Board, Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Advisory Board, Fort Scott Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board, Family Consumer Education Executive Board and FCE Thursday Night Live Unit, Member of Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, Member of Fort Scott Rotary, Member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Member of First Baptist Church in Fort Scott and Member of Progressive Mother's Club.

"I am running because I am concerned with the direction of our state," Palmer said. "Washington-style politics of division have become the new way of business in Topeka. I have a proven record of working with Republicans and Democrats alike to address our challenges. I am especially concerned with the effects of the new tax bill which is projected to leave our state $2.5 billion in debt by 2018. A budget hole that deep will require some tough decisions and with the legislature becoming more and more urban, rural areas like Bourbon, Linn and Anderson Counties will need experienced leaders to protect our schools, work to encourage business investment in rural Kansas, and prevent rising property taxes."

Palmer said her strengths include the experience of serving as a State Representative for 4 years previously in the Kansas Legislature.

"I know how the process works and will be ready on day one to move forward," Palmer said. "I will have the time to be a FULL TIME legislator and will be able to devote 100 percent of my time to the job. I will be a good listener and will keep people informed. I feel I am respected by both parties and by working together across party lines we will be Palmer said her weaknesses would be working too hard and not spending enough time with family.

When asked what specific ideas she has to make the legislature better and help break the partisan gridlock, Palmer had the following reply:

"It is unfortunate that the Legislature has become so partisan," Palmer said. "That is the way things are done in Washington, but not the way we do things in Kansas. We need more leaders who are willing to sit down and listen to one another and work to find common ground on important issues. Issues should not be evaluated on whether they are good for Democrat or Republican parties, but whether they are good for Kansas. That will be my goal everyday as a State Representative."

Among her accomplishments, Palmer was Kansas Teacher of the Year in 1992, inducted into the Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame in 2002, served seven years on the Kansas Board of Regents, selected as one of the top seven Kansans of the Year by The Topeka Capital Journal, National President of The PSU Alumni Association, 51-year member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Scott, County-wide 4-H Club Leader for more than 30 years, chosen for Leadership Kansas in 2009, and a former small business owner.

"I am passionate about returning to the Kansas Legislature," Palmer said. "I am retired and have the time to be a full-time Legislator. Your support and vote will be greatly appreciated."