Two positions are contested for Carneiro Township in Tuesday’s primary election.

Kelly Cikanek and Albert Vanek are running for the position of Carneiro Township Trustee.

Sheryl Black and Gretchen Griffith-Hughes are running for the position of Carneiro Township Treasurer Candidates for each position were invited to submit answers in advance of the election. Candidates are listed alphabetically.

Carneiro Township Trustee Candidates

Kelly Cikanek Tell us about yourself.

I am a lifelong resident of Ellsworth County. I was born and raised in Ellsworth and have owned property and lived in Carneiro Township for 20 years. For approximately 30 years I owned and operated a successful trucking business. Currently, I am an instructor at Salina Area Technical College, teaching commercial truck driving and enjoying the opportunity to spend more time at home.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family, participating in a variety of outdoor sports, caring for my property and watching wildlife.

Have you held an elected position in the township before?

I have served as the trustee for Carneiro Township for 16 years.

Why do you want to run for the position of township trustee?

I believe in giving back to the community and I care about fellow residents. While on the township board, we have made great strides to improve the township infrastructure and keep taxes steady. We have been able to reduce the mill levy some years and hold taxes steady other years, while maintaining the quality of services. I look forward to continuing this trend and serving the constituents.

What is the most important issue facing Carneiro Township?

Regular maintenance and upkeep has brought roads and infrastructure to a manageable level. The biggest challenges come from weather-related damage to roads and clearing downed trees. Another issue the township faces is cleanup due to people from outside the township dumping loads of tires and trash in the ditches.

Is there a path forward through existing frustrations in/among the township? How can you help the township move forward?

The path forward continues to be through serving the constituents in a manner that betters the local infrastructure and community and protects township interests. As elected officials, it is our duty to serve and represent all constituents. The board will continue to follow state statutes in serving Carneiro Township.

Albert Vanek Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Ellsworth County and came home to Carneiro, where I lived until I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1962. After my time abroad (Vietnam), I returned home to Carneiro, where my family’s roots go back to my mother’s side (Ray and Evelyn Walker), where they raised their 14 children.

My business career started in Ellsworth at Ell-Kan manufacturing, which was part of United Technologies. From there it was Detroit, Mich., El Paso, Texas, with manufacturing plants throughout Mexico and eventually China. After retirement, I returned to Carneiro, where I became active in the community along with farming and ranching.

Carneiro holds great significance to me, with the cemetery being the resting place for at least two generations of family. My parents (Cirel and Virginia Vanek) as well as myself donated land, built fence and maintained it. As a military veteran, I installed a new veterans board in the Carneiro Cemetery after numerous requests, to ensure veterans receive recognition for their duty to our country.

Have you held an elected position in the township before?

I was elected two terms (eight years) and served as township clerk.

During my tenure, I played a vital role in overseeing the details of the contract bringing fiber optic for the internet and oil pipeline through Carneiro Township. This resulted in a revenue stream that continues today.

As the construction process occurred during wet conditions, the township roads became impassable to local traffic. I took on the responsibility of negotiating with the company to have the township roads restored to their previous condition.

Although not the responsibility of the township clerk, I took it upon myself when needed to address road maintenance concerns, recruit candidates to fill vacancies for the township board as well as taking bids for township jobs.

Why do you want to run for the position of township trustee?

I am running for township trustee because the timing is right for change. I would like to see more utilization and support of the local business community and am willing to work with the resources we have with no regard for personal bias.

What is the most important issue facing Carneiro Township?

Creating a township board which works in unity with the community to fulfill their respective duties with full transparency and accountability.

Is there a path forward through existing frustrations in/among the township?

There is — my ability and willingness to listen to all of the constituents impartially. I have no personal agenda; my only hope is for the continued growth of the township that has been my home for my lifetime and which I want to preserve a legacy for all who are from Carneiro and those who have come to call this community home.

How can you help the township move forward?

I know how to meet the current needs of Carneiro Township. Throughout my lifetime in my military, civilian and local farming careers, as well as previous service to the township, I have demonstrated leadership, problem solving and decision making skills which would be assets to the township.

Carneiro Township Treasurer Candidates

Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Ellsworth County. In 1971 I married Don Black, a farmer/ rancher and lifetime resident of Carneiro Township. I have three sons who were raised on the farm. While the boys were young, I drove a school bus so I could help on the farm and be a stay-at-home mom. When the boys were older, I enrolled in computer classes at K-State in Salina to prepare for an office job. I worked at Roadway Express as a data entry clerk/customer service representative for nine years until they closed the office in Salina. My next job was for Exline Inc., where I worked for 15 years until my retirement in 2019.

Have you held an elected position in the township before?

I was not elected to the position, but I have been the township treasurer since July 2023 when the previous person resigned.

Why do you want to run for the position of township treasurer?

I feel the position requires someone that will serve the best interest of everyone in the township. I was the bookkeeper for the family farm for 50 years and feel township treasurer is a good way for me to serve my community.

What is the most important issue facing Carneiro Township?

Lack of RESPECT. We need to have more polite and courteous communication between everyone at the township board meetings.

Is there a path forward through existing frustrations in/among the township? How can you help the township move forward?

As anyone who reads the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter knows, there are issues in our township. I will leave it at that. I plan to use my 20-plus years in customer service and being on the township board to help get the township past our current issues. I believe in an honest and open approach, and I will answer any questions that my friends and neighbors have regarding any township business.

Tell us about yourself: I was born and raised in Wichita. Growing up, my interests were horses and art; they still are. My dream to own land and horses came true when I moved to Carneiro. After attending Wichita State University, I moved to Denver, though my bond with Kansas kept me returning frequently to see my parents and grandparents.

I began my career with the Colorado Rural Electric Association. As my career progressed, I worked for several other companies. My positions included:

• Project management, accounting and corporate materials/purchasing departments

• Analyzed organization processes and implemented effective solutions to maximize productivity

• Initiated options for better utilization of internal financial systems

• Working knowledge of general accounting principles Throughout my time in Denver, as I came home to Wichita, I would drive through Ellsworth County and eventually came upon the small town of Carneiro. I fell in love with the area, which today I call home.

Have you held an elected position in the township before?

I held the position as pro tem township clerk in 2020. My duties included:

• Making detailed notes of the meetings including: Action items for use in follow-up, completion or additional work required Discussion of participants to assure inclusion of taxpayer opinions for use in subsequent meetings • Created a meeting binder which included: Meeting minutes Board members’ job descriptions Other relevant township business (resolutions approved by the board; cataloged maps of roads the township is responsible to maintain)

Why do you want to run for the position of township treasurer?

My career path and experience in accounting provides me with the necessary skills and qualifications required to perform the treasurer’s duties. My attention to detail, which is crucial to this job, is my strong suit.

What is the most important issue facing Carneiro township?

Creating a township board which is responsive to the taxpayers of the township, assuring that they feel their concerns/ issues are addressed while preserving transparency in the all of the board’s affairs.

Is there a path forward through existing frustrations in/among the township? How can you help the township move forward?

Absolutely, and I’m optimistic I can be helpful in finding solutions, listening to the taxpayers and moving forward in a positive manner, finding solutions that will accommodate the majority while considering the impact to all.