By DARRIN STINEMAN

Salina Journal

Saying she wants to see Saline County continue on the right path, County Commissioner Sherri Barragree announced Monday that she will seek a third term at this fall's elections.

Barragree, 67, said she was inspired after returning from a recent Kansas County Commissioners Association meeting in Junction City.

"When we come back, we know that Saline County has it right and that we're doing very well," Barragree said. "Basically, I just wanted to see that continue."

So far, Barragree has just one challenger, former county public works director Jerry Fowler, whom she will meet in the Aug. 5 Republican primary for the 3rd District county commission seat. The general election is Nov. 4, and June 10 is the deadline to file as a candidate.

Asked if there are any particular issues she wants to address in the next four years, Barragree said, "Right now, there's not any real great issues. Of course, the road and bridge items are right now on everyone's mind, especially the road-grid system that we want to develop will be one of the main things we'll be dealing with."

Barragree didn't mention the future of the expo center in Kenwood Park. She and Commissioner Craig Stephenson spearheaded an effort to build a new, $15 million to $25 million expo center two miles south of Salina, but voters in November 2006 defeated a proposed quarter-cent sales tax to fund the project.

"We had our chance, and I'm not sure that we'll find that as an issue in the next few years," Barragree said. "It's too bad it won't, but I don't see that happening."

Shultz wants a change

Sidney Shultz, who has made two unsuccessful runs for the Salina City Commission, has filed for the 2nd District county commission seat, which currently is occupied by Stephenson.

Shultz's platform was change when he ran for city commission, and he said it will be again as he seeks a spot on the county commission.

"We need a change. We've needed changes for quite a few years -- in the city and the county," Shultz said. "I've tried to do some good standing up in front (at commission meetings), but that doesn't work, so I'm going to try to get inside, where I think I can do some good.

"We definitely need a change. We also need people in there that's going to listen. There's only one commissioner there that listens, and that's (Randy) Duncan. He did what he told people he would do, and he needs some help."

Shultz, a 76-year-old Democrat, will be unopposed in the primary unless other Democrats file before the June 10 deadline. The Republican primary, so far, features Stephenson and Salina attorney John Reynolds.

Treasurer seeks second term

Saline County Treasurer Brenda Siemsen has filed to run for a second term.

"I really enjoy the job and the staff," the 47-year-old Republican said, "and I think we've done some really good things for the office and the citizens."

Siemsen mentioned an escrow payment plan to help people pay their taxes and a new satellite office for vehicle tag renewals as a couple of things that have been accomplished during her tenure.

Local legislators file

Rep. Charlie Roth, Rep. Deena Horst and Sen. Pete Brungardt, all of Salina, have filed for re-election to their seats in the Kansas Legislature. The three Republicans had previously announced they had planned to run again, but their candidacies became official when they filed the paperwork earlier this month.

Rep. Josh Svaty, D-Ellsworth, has said he plans to file for another, two-year term in the House.

n Reporter Darrin Stineman can be reached at 822¬­-1416 or by e-mail at dstineman@salina.com.