Somerset — As the May 20 primary election nears, the Commonwealth Journal approached each of the 12 candidates for positions on Somerset’s city council with ten questions in an effort to help our readers learn more about the men and women who are vying to serve.

This week, we’ve been featuring responses from the candidates from each of the four city wards which will be available for selection on next week’s ballot.

Responses are listed in the order in which they were received by the Commonwealth Journal from the candidates.

Today’s article features the candidates who are hoping to be elected to serve Ward 12 of the City of Somerset — Tom Eastham and Jeff Medaugh, both newcomers to politics, and Tim Rutherford, the incumbent.

(The candidates for Wards 1, 2, and 9 were featured in previous editions this week.)

The two top vote-getters in each ward on May 20 will advance to the general election in November.

Here are the questions and responses from the Ward 12 candidates:

• Why would you like to serve as a Somerset city councilor?

Eastham: The reasons I have decided to run for city council vary, but most of all I have been disappointed with the activity and the lack of business being conducted by our city council. I believe that all citizens should be represented by our council. This council has not represented the City of Somerset fairly. We pay our taxes, but have no representation. I would like to bring to the city council the ability to perform the obligations, the business of our wonderful city, in an orderly manner. Since the beginning of 2006, there has been absolutely no order in the council chambers. The rules of order apply here as in any professional business meeting. I would like the opportunity to represent all of Somerset. Each citizen has a voice and I plan to hear and share it with our city government.

Rutherford: I am in my fourth year as a Somerset city councilor and I am in it today for the same reasons that I got into it four years ago, and that is to serve the citizens of Somerset to the best of my abilities and to help make Somerset a better place to live and work.

Medaugh: I feel like we need a fresh look at the way things are done in the city of Somerset.

• In what ways are you qualified to be a member of the council?

Eastham: I am 45 years old. I am a citizen of Somerset. I am a citizen of the United States of America. I understand how to operate a successful business. I understand the rules of order. I pay city, county, state and federal taxes. I am a high school graduate. I proudly served my country in the United States Navy Submarine Service for almost 10 years. I have a true desire to wholeheartedly serve the City of Somerset with honor, integrity and respect for my fellow citizens.

Rutherford: I have been in management for over 20 years and have also been involved with many charitable organizations. I served on the Somerset Parks and Recreation Board from 1996-2004 when I was elected to the city council. I have served on the Somerset city council for the last three-and-a-half years and would love the opportunity to continue serving the citizens of Somerset in this capacity.

Medaugh: I work and live in the city and spend a lot of time in and around the downtown area running and biking, and I see and hear a lot about what needs to be done to make Somerset a better place to live.

• What are the most important issues the City of Somerset is facing today?

Eastham: My view is that we need to develop a long term plan for growth and development of Somerset. I think the services our city offers are the best anywhere, but, in the future, how do we adjust for growth in businesses, manufacturing and population? With that in mind comes the concern for jobs locally. Also, with new roads and bypasses being built, the city needs to constantly pursue and invite companies to come to Somerset and support this. At this time, Somerset is not where I would choose to locate if I owned a large business, mainly because of the division and lack of leadership to our citizens of Somerset.

Rutherford: Budget and annexation. With the state of the economy today, the city has to be fiscally conservative. We should not have too many projects started until the economy strengthens. We need to watch every taxpayer dollar carefully and also apply for as much grant money as possible. However, the federal and state governments are short on funds this year, so we cannot depend on them. Our citizens do not need any more tax burden, so I vow to do my best to make sure that our taxes are not raised. Annexation needs to be well thought out and carefully planned. We need to annex outward from the city limits, not annex undeveloped subdivisions out in the county, because it takes too long for the citizens to get a return on their money. We need to annex existing homes.

Medaugh: No. 1, we need to try to control the price of utilities for everyone, especially the elderly and those on fixed incomes. #2, we need new and better jobs with better pay so our young people won’t have to leave the area. #3, we need to be more cost effective so we can keep taxes as low as possible.

• What is Somerset’s greatest asset?

Eastham: Somerset’s greatest asset is the people. From great people come great ideas. Our citizens are capable of providing the best ideas and innovations for the city council to discuss and act on. Without the voice of our citizens we merely become a city with “good ol’ boy” government and not much accomplished. Our greatest asset without question is our citizens.

Rutherford: I think Somerset’s greatest asset is its people. Our dedicated employees are willing to work 24/7 to make sure that we are safe and have clean water to drink, safe and clean streets, natural gas to burn, and nice parks for our children to enjoy. I am very proud of the employees of the City of Somerset and the hard work that they do every day.

Medaugh: Definitely it’s people.

• What are your thoughts on the possibility of a city-wide smoking ban?

Eastham: I am a non-smoker and would be in favor of any smoking ban. However, every citizen in Somerset should decide this via referendum regardless of what I think. This and other issues should be decided by the people of Somerset or proper professional representation.

Rutherford: I am not in favor of a complete county-wide smoking ban like the one proposed to the city council. I would support a partial smoking ban as long as it did not infringe on a business owner’s rights. I applaud the efforts by the hospital to go smoke-free on their property. They own the property and they have the right to ban smoking. I feel that people should be considerate of each other and respect each other’s space. However, we want to be careful about letting government decide what citizens can or cannot do in their businesses and in their homes.

Medaugh: I would work with the Health Depart-ment, the medical community, and the citizens to make a plan that would be best for everyone, especially our children.

• In your opinion, should it be legal to sell alcohol by the drink in restaurants in the city?

Eastham: I do not believe alcohol should be sold at all in our city. There is no way to justify a benefit to the city and the people from the sale of alcohol in Somerset.

Rutherford: This should be left entirely to the voters.

Medaugh: That is an issue best left up to the people.

• Previous and current mayors and council members have been divided on many issues. What approach would you take to working in a sometimes-controversial environment?

Eastham: The only way to work in this sometimes-controversial environment is with order. With proper order, even the harshest of adversaries will conduct and complete the business of the city for the citizens of Somerset.

Rutherford: I will continue to do what I am doing now, and that is to research every issue and never make issues personal. I obtain as much knowledge on the topic as possible and make my argument to the council and the mayor. The biggest issues we seem to have are differences in ordinances, policies, and procedures that have been passed by this council and previous councils. I feel that these should be followed because they were put in place for a purpose, and if they were being followed as they were intended, we wouldn’t be having the problems that we have now. I will always insist that our city’s laws be enforced, and I will always take a stand for our citizens and our city employees.

Medaugh: I would like to work with the mayor and the other councilors instead of butting heads on every issue that comes up.

• In your opinion, is it feasible to revitalize the downtown Somerset business area? Why or why not?

Eastham: Yes, it is possible. There are numerous citizens who have great ideas for this. Whoever has been maintaining our town square has the answer. Many things could be done to revitalize the downtown area. I don’t have the answer for certain, but we have people in our city who do.

Rutherford: We already have a great start with the beautiful new library and the Judicial Center. Hopefully, this will inspire downtown property owners to spruce up their buildings. At this time, I do not feel that the city has the funds available to give to this effort with the state of the economy.

Medaugh: Yes, it is. You can look at other cities of similar size, and their downtown districts are beautiful and active with business. A revitalized downtown could only be good for everyone.

• Has SomerSplash water park been a good investment for the city? How do you envision the water park in the future?

Eastham: I think SomerSplash is a good investment for the city. For the future, I think the park will flourish. I don’t think we should develop any new areas in the SomerSplash park. We should, however, develop what is there to enhance the park more so that it would be more pleasant a sight from within the park and from any public viewpoint.

Rutherford: Yes, I feel that the water park has been a good investment for the city. It will take a few years to see its full potential, but once it has been paid for, it will be a great source of revenue. I feel that there should be some tighter controls in place at the water park. It made money the first year it was open. This past year it lost money even though it had more sales. Hopefully, with good management, we can make a profit this year and continue to expand the water park in years to come.

Medaugh: Yes, it is a good thing for the area, and I think with proper management and advertising, it will only get better.

• What else would you like voters to know about you?

Eastham: I operate a courier business locally. I have lived in Somerset for 19 years, but am a lifelong resident of Pulaski County. I am married to Tammy and have two children who attend Somerset High School, Thomas, 18, is a senior this year, and Kayla, 15, who is a sophomore. I have served in the United States Navy Submarine Service for almost 10 years, serving on both Fast Attack submarines and “Boomers,” or missile boats. My family and I are members and attend Buck Creek Baptist Church where I serve as deacon, song leader, and Sunday School teacher. Come on out and join us in our wonderful church. Any comments or questions may be e-mailed to rickover123@yahoo.com.

Rutherford: I was born and raised in Somerset and graduated from Somerset High School in 1983. I am employed at Super Service as a dispatcher. I am married to the former Beth Combs Burton and we have four children, my son, David, and Beth’s children, Josie, Nick, and Lilli. My parents are Ralph and Mae Rutherford, and I have two brothers, Ralph III and Jim, and four sisters, Janet Littrell, Lisa Rutherford, Laura Poynter, and Trina Rutherford. I feel privileged to serve on the Somerset city council and would love to continue to serve the citizens of Somerset. Please feel free to call me at any time with any concerns or suggestions that you may have. I can be reached at 606-451-1030 or 606-875-7789.

Medaugh: I am married with two daughters and two dogs, and would love to see Somerset become the showcase I know it can be.