Candidates say compassion, empathy, organization needed in Butler County public administrator

Four candidates are competing in this year’s Butler County public administrator race.

Incumbent Sharron Payne faces challengers Cheryl Baker, Jeffrey Darnell and Margie Shipman.

All of the candidates were asked the same series of question. Their information is presented in ballot order.

__Sharron Payne__

Age: 73

Children: 2

Occupation: public administrator

Current Affiliations: First Baptist Church, Ozark Federal Credit Union board member (22 years), State DYS Board, Sears/Sierra Osage, Credit Union Supervisory Board, MAPA, Register Guardianship, Republican Central Committee, Butler County Fair Board

Education: Accounting/Nursing

Payne said the most important duties of the position are to take care of the needs of her more than 300 clients.

“I have almost 20 years of service. It is a job that is 24/7,” Payne said.

She added that finding placement for the clients is the biggest challenge of the position and that more homes to take the clients would be a positive change.

She added that something important the public should know about the public administrator position, but they may not be aware of, is that there is oversight. A judge requires settlements that show everything they do, and they are audited by the state.

__Cheryl Baker__

Age: 61

Children: Ciera Baker

Current Affiliations: Breadshed volunteer and treasurer, First Baptist Church, Northside Nutrition Center volunteer, NRA member

Education: Poplar Bluff High School (1977), bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University (1982)

Baker said quality of life is the most important thing a public administrator can provide to Butler County’s vulnerable populations.

“It will be my duty to ensure the clients’ entire spectrum of needs are met — medical, financial, psychological, spiritual and social. I will utilize my strong communication skills and knowledge of community resources to meet and exceed clients and their families’ expectations and needs,” Baker said.

Those vulnerable populations are the biggest challenge of the position, Baker added.

“They have different needs than the average person. It may be a challenge at times to match each client with the exact right resource to meet those needs. I will work closely with experienced professionals in each area that services are provided in to ensure that the clients’ needs are being provided for as effectively as possible,” she said.

She added communication and strong relationships are key to building a comprehensive network of available resources.

“Butler County is fortunate to have many assets available to assist in improving quality of life. I am excited to explore how new paths can be built to best utilize these resources, benefiting both the clients and the community,” Baker said.

Baker said she believes she is the most qualified candidate because of her many years of experience working in nonprofit and community service positions, and that she has always prioritized her clients’ needs and is able to build strong relationships with them.

“Empathy is one of my strongest traits,” Baker said.

Something about the position that Baker believes people may not be aware of is that public administrators are responsible for a wide variety of tasks. But at the core of the position, it exists to serve members of the community.

“I am passionate about service and have a heart for giving back. As a lifelong Poplar Bluffian, I am excited to give back to the community that has given me so much,” she said.

This would be Baker’s first elected position.

__Margie Shipman__

Age: 60

Spouse: Danny R. Shipman

Children: Joshua L. Shipman and Craig A. Shipman

Occupation: deputy public administrator

Current Affiliations: Palace of Praise, Sunday School secretary

Education: GED and some college

Shipman said meeting the needs of the clients is the most important duty of the position.

“This is accomplished by frequent communication with the clients to make sure their needs are being met and that they are content. Keeping accurate financial records is also a top priority of this office. A detailed report, called a settlement, of each client is submitted to the judge yearly. The settlement contains all the financial records, health reports and pertinent information,” Shipman said.

She said she would enact changes to modernize the office, bringing it up to date to streamline the documentation process.

“In addition to being time efficient, this would enable clients to video chat when in person visits aren’t possible. I would also cross-train the staff to ensure everyone knows all aspects of the running of the office. This would keep things going at a constant pace when someone is absent,” Shipman said.

She believes she is the most qualified candidate because she has worked the past 3 1/2 years as a deputy public administrator in Butler County.

“I have first hand experience with every aspect of the job. Dealing with clients and their families is a big part of my job. My 10 years banking experience will be helpful in making a yearly office budget. I know how to balance the client’s checkbooks, keep their bills paid, and do client settlements. I have developed a relationship with many of the clients and care about their well being,” Shipman said.

She added that one of the biggest challenges of the job is ensuring each client has a good quality of life, their needs met, and to become as independent as possible.

“I would accomplish this by selecting the right facility for each client. I would work closely with the facility and social worker to monitor the client’s progress, making sure their needs are met,” Shipman said. “Another big challenge is being a voice for those who have no voice. A lot of these people are forgotten by society and have no one to speak for them. I would bring their needs to the attention of elected officials and lobby to make their voice heard.”

Shipman believes the people of Butler County may not be aware the public administrator has more than 300 clients.

“To meet the needs of all the clients, the public administrator is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It takes someone with a lot of dedication and compassion to do this job,” Shipman said.

This would be her first elected position.

__Jeffrey Darnell__

Age 56

Spouse: Monda Darnell

Children: Craig and Brook Darnell, Tyler and Chasidy Darnell

Grandchild: Cayden Darnell

Occupation: insurance and real estate agent

Current Affiliation: Palace of Praise, National Association of Realtors and Missouri Association of Realtors

Education: Neelyville School District, has attended insurance and real estate classes

Darnell said the most important duties of the public administrator position are to make sure all clients are well cared for and financially secure. He would have an open door policy and listen to all concerns of the clients and/or families.

“Organization is the key to providing service to the clients,” Darnell said.

He believes he is the most qualified candidate because as a western district county commissioner for 16 years, he gained strong budgeting experience, and as a business owner, he developed customer service skills and problem solving.

“With increasing cost of services and for the best interest of the clients we serve, becoming cost effective for their benefit to maximize their care,” Darnell said.

Something about the position that Darnell believes people may not be aware of is that the public administrator acts as the court-appointed guardian and conservator for minors, disabled or incapacitated persons.

“This office’s duties are to insure care and financial security for the clients,” Darnell said.