Endorsements: Sedgwick County Commission, District Court, Kansas appellate courts, Wichita sales tax, constitutional amendment

The following are The Eagle editorial board’s recommendations for the Nov. 4 general election for Sedgwick County Commission, District Court, Kansas appellate courts, the Wichita sales tax and a constitutional amendment. We offer these recommendations as information to consider as you make up your own mind about the candidates and issues.

Sedgwick County Commission

District 4

Democrat Melody McCray-Miller is the clear choice to represent District 4, which includes north Wichita, Maize, Park City and Valley Center. A former county commissioner and four-term state representative and a business owner, McCray-Miller understands government at both the state and local levels and how it affects communities, families and businesses. Her priorities include economic development and community livability and engagement. “I would like to put the public back in public policy,” she said, accusing her opponent of representing his ideological views and not the full district. McCray-Miller believes in a balanced, collaborative approach to dealing with issues and people, focusing on “what’s best for the county.” She also would not turn down federal funds, as her opponent has voted to do, and supports using economic incentives to attract and retain businesses.

Republican incumbent Richard Ranzau is completing his first term, which has not been productive. Though he has done some good work watchdogging county spending, Ranzau frequently badgers county staff and other presenters at commission meetings. He also has used his position as an ideological platform to rant about the federal government, including by claiming that a federal planning grant was an attempt by President Obama “to circumvent the will of Congress, the states and the people.” McCray-Miller would be a better, more-constructive commissioner.

District 5

Republican Jim Howell, who has served two terms in the Kansas House, is the best choice to represent this district that includes Derby, Mulvane and southeast Wichita. Howell works hard and researches the issues. One of his priorities as a lawmaker and, if elected, as a commissioner is the Judge Riddel Boys Ranch, which closed earlier this year because of state funding problems. Howell would like to reopen the ranch on Jan. 1, calling it a core function of government. Though he is an advocate for the free market, Howell doesn’t rule out the use of economic development incentives.

Democrat Richard Young could also be a good commissioner. Young served as mayor of Rose Hill in the early 1990s and also has served on its City Council and planning commission. He is concerned about cuts to public services and thinks it is too expensive to reopen the Judge Riddel Boys Ranch.

Sedgwick County

18th Judicial District

Division 5

Judge Gregory L. Waller deserves re-election for his unmatched experience on the district bench since 1993. In the past decade he earned praise for his careful handling of high-stakes criminal cases, including the sentencing of BTK serial killer Dennis Rader and the case of Wichita sisters repeatedly raped by their brother and father. A former Sedgwick County prosecutor, Waller also is highly regarded by local attorneys for his professionalism, legal knowledge, preparation and ethics. Democrats have an unreasonably hard time joining and staying on the Sedgwick County bench, but as former Kansas Attorney General Vern Miller recently wrote, Waller “has a great reputation for fairness and justice.” He has earned another term.

His Republican challenger, Seth L. Rundle, offers a thoughtful demeanor and fresh perspective, having served as a public defender and an Air Force and Kansas Air National Guard attorney. But he cannot match Waller’s qualifications.

Kansas appellate courts

As the only two members of the Kansas Supreme Court up for retention this year, Justices Lee Johnson and Eric S. Rosen are being targeted by critics of the high court’s recent decision overturning the death sentences of Wichita murderers Jonathan and Reginald Carr. But the court’s obligation is to the state’s constitution and laws, and by that measure the justices have ruled responsibly – even as the governor and other politicians have tried to intimidate them regarding school finance, judicial funding and otherwise. Johnson and Rosen were recommended for retention in a statewide judicial survey, as were Kansas Court of Appeals Chief Judge Tom Malone and Court of Appeals Judges Stephen D. Hill, Patrick D. McAnany, Kim R. Schroeder, Henry W. Green Jr., Anthony J. Powell, Michael B. Buser and Melissa Taylor Standridge. All deserve more time on the bench.

Wichita sales tax question

The editorial board recommends a “yes” vote on the question, which asks voters to impose a 1 percent citywide sales tax for five years to fund a long-term water supply, improve bus service and street maintenance, and support job creation. As we said in our Sunday editorial, the needs are clear and well-supported by the community and a “no” win will invite higher water rates, more potholes, even fewer buses, and worse prospects for a local economy that has 20,000 fewer jobs than in 2008.

Constitutional amendment

The editorial board recommends a “yes” vote, which would amend the state constitution to allow charities to conduct raffle fundraisers legally. Many religious, charitable, fraternal, educational and veterans’ nonprofit organizations already use raffles to raise money, either because they are unaware of the prohibition or counting on lack of enforcement. A majority “yes” vote will enable the Legislature to set the framework for regulating and licensing nonprofit groups’ raffles.

Thursday: Kansas House

Friday: Sedgwick County Commission, District Court, Kansas appellate courts, Wichita sales tax, constitutional amendment

Saturday: Kansas secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, insurance commissioner

Sunday: Kansas governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House

Endorsements can be read online at Kansas.com/opinion.

This story was originally published October 23, 2014 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Endorsements: Sedgwick County Commission, District Court, Kansas appellate courts, Wichita sales tax, constitutional amendment."